Kashrus

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09 Aug 0Comments 0Likes

Summertime, Summertime

Dear Rabbi Simon, We have just bought ourselves a gas barbecue and are looking forward to using it. I know that we avoid eating meat and fish together (though I’m not sure why). Are we able to cook meat on it one night and fish the next or would that be an issue? Thanks Barbara Dear Barbara, Thank you for…

10 May 0Comments 0Likes

Shemita Question

Dear Rabbi Simon, I have a shemita question: I accidentally bought a bunch of Israeli basil which is now in my fridge. What should I do with it? Many thanks Rosemary Dear Rosemary, Thank you for your question. Basil is subject to the law of sefichin, which essentially means one should not eat it, as produce of the field (as opposed…

15 Feb 0Comments 0Likes

Mix and Match in the Kitchen!

Note: This week’s Parasha (Mishpatim) contains the first of three mentions in the Torah of the prohibition of mixing milk and meat (Ex. 23:19). Dear Rabbi Simon I came into the kitchen after Shabbos and found my youngest eating hot chicken soup with a milk spoon (a stainless steel spoon with enamel handle) in a meaty bowl. Yikes! Please advise…

23 Nov 0Comments 0Likes

Kosher Spices

Dear Rabbi Simon Can I buy Za’atar & Sumac spices from any shop or do they need proof of rabbinical supervision (ie, hechsher)? Herby Dear Herby While it is always ideal to buy with a hechsher, as a rule, pure dried herbs and spices (whole or ground) are OK. Blends of pure spices (including with pure vegetable oil) are also acceptable.…

22 Nov 0Comments 0Likes

Milky Knife, Meaty Pot

Dear Rabbi Simon I cut onions using a milky vegetable knife and then proceeded to put it in rice in a meaty pot. This knife is used only for vegetables and not milky items. It is currently cooking on the stove top. It will be served with chicken. What do I do? Thank you Betzalel Dear Betzalel Talk about time-sensitive. You…

10 Aug 0Comments 0Likes

Using a Toaster in a Rental Property

Dear Rabbi Simon We plan to stay in a rented cottage in Devon. Is it OK to use their toaster if we put it on once with nothing in? Many thanks, Meir Dear Meir, Sorry I cannot endorse using the toaster in a holiday rental. Very difficult to clean thoroughly and the bread comes into direct contact with the interior…

19 May 0Comments 0Likes

Shemita Question

Dear Rabbi Simon I have a shemita question: I accidentally bought a bunch of Israeli basil which is now in my fridge . What should I do with it? Many thanks Rosemary Dear Rosemary, Thank you for your question. Basil is subject to the law of sefichin, which essentially means one should not eat it, as produce of the field (as…

04 May 0Comments 0Likes

Kosher Bread Options

Dear Rabbi Simon A post-Pesach question: are we allowed to have fresh farm bread if no access to kosher bread? Thanks, Brad Dear Brad Thank you for your question. In certain countries (such as France, Switzerland and elsewhere) baguettes and similar are baked without objectionable additives or even release agents such as oil or shortening which may be animal-derived. These…

23 Feb 0Comments 0Likes

Kosher Kitchen Upgrade

Dear Rabbi Simon We need to replace our cooker (oven and stove top), and I was wondering what the best options are from a kashrut perspective. I know a self-cleaning oven is useful for Pesach, but is a catalytic liner acceptable (as opposed to pyrolytic)? I understand that with pyrolytic, the grease builds up on the coating, and gets burned…

09 Feb 0Comments 0Likes

Glass Challah board

Dear Rabbi Simon Does a glass challah board require tevillah [immersion in a mikveh, as is generally required for metal and glass utensils]? Thank you Chana Hi Chana Yes it does, but I would advise without a berachah. In many cases, such an item comes from Israel and may well be Jewish-made (in which case tevillah is not required). But…

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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Upcoming Events

Sat, 12/9 6:20 AM
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30 Minutes on the Parasha
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