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25 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Tefillin: Knot or Not?

Dear Rabbi Simon May I please have your opinion on the single daled vs double daled in the shel Rosh? In my research this appears to be an element on which opinions are near 50/50. Thank you. Regards, Alex Dear Alex It is certainly true that there are divergent minhagim in this. The preferred option is the single dalet, as…

25 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Home Improvement plans gone pear-shaped?

Dear Rabbi Simon, As today is Tu Bi-Shevat (New Year for Trees), I have a timely and practical question: I may have mentioned to you that we are looking to demolish our house and rebuild. The rebuild includes the basement; hence the entire structure and the garden will be razed. There is a pear tree in our garden and I…

24 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Rings and Netilat Yadayim

Dear Rabbi Simon, I have noticed that when people wash their hands (ritually) before eating bread, they often remove their ring(s) beforehand (excuse the pun), either leaving them at the table or elsewhere. Why do people do this and should I do the same? Robin Dear Robin Interestingly, this is an example of a halakhic practice which is recommended for…

24 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Fruit Tree Follow-Up

Dear Rabbi Simon, Our sycamore tree blew down in a recent storm causing significant damage to our neighbour’s patio.  If our pear tree were to fall down in another storm it would probably fall on the house itself.  Our Tree Surgeon has recommended removing it as a preventative measure although it was not damaged this storm. As per your instruction…

24 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Ringing Endorsement?

Note: A recent Q&A addressed the need for one to remove his or her ring(s) in order to properly perform the mitzvah of netilat yadayim (washing one’s hands ritually before eating bread, challah, matzah or similar). In brief, Rabbi Simon’s answer was that it is common practice for women to do so, but that it is not the norm for men. A…

24 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Rings and Tefillin (Round Three)

Dear Rabbi Simon, I have been following the interesting discussion about wedding rings and men not having to remove them before washing for Hamotzi. It has always been my custom to take off my ring before washing. If I may then ask further, I also take off my wedding ring when putting on my Tefillin as the strap would go…

24 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Ashkenazi vs Sephardi

Dear Rabbi Simon, Navah has asked me: is there anything that’s permitted for Ashkenazim which is forbidden to Sephardim. Funny how questions like this always materialise at Pesach… All the best, Stefan Hi Stefan (and Navah) The answer is “plenty”, and year-round, not just for 8 days. 1. The Shulhan ‘Arukh rules that one must wait 6 hours between meat and milk. The…

24 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Mitzvah with Strings Attached?

Dear Rabbi Simon, I hope it’s OK to trouble you with a question/discussion that I was having with a friend: Essentially – does one need/is one obligated to wear a begged katon (tzitzit)? I was putting forward the view that this is a must, a mitzvah, something that one cannot absolve oneself of.  That minhag of the Jewish People essentially…

24 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Under Cover

Dear Rabbi Simon, TY for your reply re the nature of the mitzvah of tzitzit [Kesher Connections newsletter two weeks ago]. The discussion to which I referred then developed into a debate about wearing a head covering – in that this too was purported to be a midat chasidut (“practice of the pious”, ie not universally required as normative). Granted,…

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
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