Sukkos

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20 Sep 0Comments 0Likes

Bamboo Blinds for Sechach

Dear Rabbi Simon, We had a query re sechach. We have seen advice on Facebook that using bamboo blinds for sechach is OK if we buy from, say, B&Q.  Please can you let us know if this is indeed acceptable and/or there is anything we should look out for, or whether this is in fact a bad idea! Thank you,…

14 Sep 0Comments 0Likes

Green Etrog

Dear Rabbi Simon, I bought an etrog which is quite green (rather than yellow). The dealer assured me it is OK halachically, but I am not sure if I can rely on his advice. Should I take it back and choose another one? Thank you, Jay Dear Jay, Thank you for your question. I can validate your caution about relying…

04 Oct 0Comments 0Likes

Laundry on Chol Hamoed

Dear Rabbi Simon Can I wash clothes needed for yom tov on chol hamoed? Thank you Lauren Hi Lauren, Thank you for your question. The simple answer is “no, you may not,” although there are limited circumstances in which this may be allowed. These include: No other clean clothes available. (Although even if this is the case, it is preferable…

28 Sep 0Comments 0Likes

Close Shave?

Contextual note: The questioner is a 17-year old boy, writing on the last day of hol ha-mo’ed Sukkot (Hoshanah Rabbah) Hi Rabbi Simon With regard to shaving, I find it really uncomfortable to sleep with a few days to a week’s stubble and was wondering whether it would be permitted today as I regularly shave erev shabbat and yomtov. Thank…

20 Sep 0Comments 0Likes

Holly Leaves as Sechach

Dear Rabbi Simon, I just was wondering if I’m allowed to use holly leaves as my sechach? Thanks David Dear David, Yes you may, if they are real, not the decorative artificial kind popular in December (!). Best to use the leaves that are still attached to the branches or tendrils, as the leaves on their own may dry fairly…

22 Oct 0Comments 0Likes

Chore or Mitzvah?

Dear Rabbi Simon This may be a stupid question but is the act of taking down the Sukkah also a mitzva or at least part of it? Suki Dear Suki Dismantling the Sukkah would have the status of הכשר מצוה (preparatory to a mitzvah) if taking it down is necessary to enable one to fulfil the mitzvah effectively next year.…

30 Sep 0Comments 0Likes

No Sukkah, No Sukkah Invitations

Dear Rabbi Simon The “rule of six” has knocked my Sukkot plans for 6. I have no means of building a sukkah in or around my flat, and sukkah invitations for Ruchie and me are very difficult to come by this year, due to the coronavirus crisis and the Rule of Six . And truthfully, I am uneasy about eating…

29 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Sukkah Design

Dear Rabbi Simon, After 15 years of faithful service, the timber of our Succah is now rotting and requires replacing. I am designing a new timber succah and want to clarify a couple of halachic issues. 1) In order to make the sechach more wind resistant , I want the sechach to rest on wooden battens six inches below the top…

11 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Small Succah, Many Guests

Dear Rabbi Simon, Our succa only seats 3-4 people but we’ve enthusiastically invited a couple of people ‘too many’ for one of the meals. On a practical level, what can we do without having to disinvite the ‘extras’, which would not be very nice? If I’m not mistaken, the succa obligation is really only for the men.  Would it be OK…

05 May 0Comments 0Likes

Rain in Israel during Sukkot

Dear Rabbi Simon. During Sukkot we had rain in Israel. I was very happy about it, yet I was notified with raised eyebrows that my joy was misplaced, as this is likened to spitting in the face of my master, as the midrash (or Mishnah?) states. I then learned that it is the prevailing approach, as incompatible as it may…

Questions & Answers
this week

Questions and Answers

Ask the Rabbi: Quinoa on Pesach
Dear Rabbi Simon,
Where do you stand on quinoa (and the kitniyot ban) for Pesach?
Many thanks,
Tzippy
***
Dear Tzippy,
In line with other American authorities, I am in favour of quinoa. Although I reject completely the voices (mostly from Israel) seeking to abolish the ban on kitniyot entirely, IMO we do not need to include in the prohibition pseudo-grains that were unknown in the Old World until modern times. Best to buy with a Pesach hechsher though, to be free of any possible wheat contamination.
Rabbi Rashi Simon
Events / Calendar

Upcoming Events

Sun, 09/15 7:30 PM
Book Launch
Mon, 09/16 8:00 PM
Talmud with Rashi via Zoom
Mon, 09/23 8:00 PM
Talmud with Rashi via Zoom
Mon, 09/30 8:00 PM
Talmud with Rashi via Zoom