Halacha

Dear Rabbi Simon, Someone keeps signing me up for email lists without my permission, which is really frustrating.  As a Jew, am I allowed to hate him for this? Is hate allowed under God’s law? Thanks, Emily Hi Email-y Thank you for your interesting questions. The Torah certainly discourages hatred in general, even towards our enemies and those who have…

Dear Rabbi Simon How do I dispose of a derelict tallit and tzitzit without burying it or giving it to someone? May I burn it since it is too damaged to be repaired? Tal Hi Tal The garment may be placed in recycling (if you have access to such a facility). Otherwise, put it in a bag and you may…

Dear Rabbi Simon If neither one of us signed the ketubah is the marriage a valid Jewish Marriage? Kate Dear Kate A ketubah must be signed by two witnesses (who meet certain halakhic criteria). Since it essentially lays out the husband’s commitments to his wife, in some circles it is customary for the hatan to sign the ketubah as well.…

Dear Rabbi Simon, An acquaintance mentioned that someone i know has a new job. I replied that he is making a go of it. She said she knew the employers weren’t sure about the “fit” originally and asked why they had accepted him. I replied that they took him on as they would have taken anyone who could say Yes…

Dear Rabbi Simon As a pharmacist I am seeing more and more prescriptions for ‘transgender’ medication or medication for these operations. Is it halakhically a problem for me to dispense/deal with such medications? I’m guessing it’s not a problem because our customers are generally not Jewish (I work in London, not Tel Aviv) but just want to be sure it’s…

Dear Rabbi Simon G-d’s name appears in pages 22 and 46 in the ROOTED booklet, so these pages are sheimos [ie should be disposed of respectfully and not simply discarded].  I have not checked the other pages. I suggest that you inform the Kehillah to ensure that these pages are treated appropriately (they need to go into a geniza) if…