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Women & Pre-Dawn Prayer

Note: The questioner lives in a city where sunrise is as late as 08:44am (in early January). Dear Rabbi Simon I have a question. During the winter I daven before the halahic time because I can’t pray after the kids get up, I can’t go to shul (like my husband – as women don’t go in the morning), I’m not…

08 Jan 0Comments 0Likes

Culinary Vogue (Kefir)

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Dear Rabbi Simon My cousin gave me some kefir grains that he had been using with regular milk. 1. Any issue re kefir grains kashrut? 2. If we now use them with kosher supervised milk will the kefir we produce be chalav Yisrael ? Or is it (the same as with yogurt) forever chalav stam? Many thanks, Malka Dear Malka…

01 Jan 0Comments 0Likes

Hairdresser

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Dear Rabbi Simon I’m sending my teenage daughter for a haircut (wash, cut and dry). The male hairdressers are cheaper than the female hairdressers. Is it better for her to have lady hairdresser or is it OK for her to have a male hairdresser? Thank you! Harriet Dear Harriet Thank you for your question. It is preferable for your daughter…

17 Dec 0Comments 0Likes

Kitchen Crisis! Milky Pan for Chicken

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Dear Rabbi Simon By accident I used a milky frying pan to fry chicken – can it be kashered? Thanks Olivia Hi Olivia Yes, your pan can be koshered. Clean it, leave it for 24 hours, then kasher via hag’alah (purging): Place it on the stove top flame. Fill most of the way with hot water from the kettle. As…

11 Dec 0Comments 0Likes

Fresh Produce

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Dear Rabbi Simon I wanted to ask if it is allowed to eat sliced fruit and vegetables from regular supermarket? Thanks Perry Hi Perry Thank you for your practical question. In general, yes you may, as long as the produce under consideration is not prone to infestation. You should also avoid pungent, “sharp” foods such as onions, garlic, hot peppers,…

27 Nov 0Comments 0Likes

Wearing Clothes of Deceased

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Dear Rabbi Simon My father passed away and I have been tasked with disposal or allocation of his belongings. I know we are not supposed to use the shoes of the deceased. But what about the clothes? Can we use them? Separately (but a related question), is it appropriate to have a shabbat guest during the week of shiva? Thanks,…

20 Nov 0Comments 0Likes

Kiddush Levanah (Sanctification of the Moon—see Artscroll siddur pp. 612 ff)

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Dear Rabbi Simon I have a question about Kiddush Levanah. I’ve got too much time to think with the new Work from Home regime. (Of course I am still working.) Often the moon is visible in the sky well before nightfall. In circumstances where due to prevailing weather conditions you have not been able to recite Kiddush Levanah after dark…

14 Nov 0Comments 0Likes

Luck vs Success

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Dear Rabbi Simon Can you please explain the difference, in Jewish thought, between luck and hatzlahah? Leib Dear Leib Thank you for your interesting (though slightly amorphous) question. “Luck” in the sense of happenstance is the subject of controversy in Jewish thought, as many authorities are of the view that all human affairs are subject to continuous and specific divine…

06 Nov 0Comments 0Likes

Commanded to Work?

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Dear Rabbi Simon Can you please tell me whether we are commanded to work? Meant to work? What about someone who has enough money to live on (eg through inheritance, savings, successful investments, or similar)? Thanks Ashir Dear Ashir Thank you for your question, which is, however, a little oblique. At one level, “work” may be seen as a necessary…

30 Oct 0Comments 0Likes

Berakhah Frequency

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Dear Rabbi Simon My friend is sick in hospital. B”H two days ago the feeding tube was taken from his nose. He is now drinking and eating small amounts frequently. Because it is demanding, I forget to instruct him to recite the blessing. Does he need to bless every time? Thanks Rafi Dear Raphi Thank you for your question. If…

Questions & Answers

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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

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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

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