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17 May 0Comments 0Likes

Age Ranges in the Torah

Dear Rabbi Simon, I was wondering what is the significance of the different age ranges that the Torah addresses in the course of the book of Bamidbar (Numbers). Last week, the Levi’im were considered for service from ages 20 to 50. The previous week, the Levi’im were counted but only from ages 30 to 50. This week only the people…

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…

19 Apr 0Comments 0Likes

Le’Chaim! (Guarding Your Health)

Dear Rabbi Simon, I am learning in depth about the mitzvah of health and how the great rabbis and leaders (Rambam, Chafetz Chaim and others) focused on guarding their own health and spoke about this to their students and encouraged them to have a healthy lifestyle. Here is my question: From my personal experience, I do not see this mitzvah (of guarding…

22 Feb 0Comments 0Likes

Ma’aser Questions

Dear Rabbi Simon, I have a couple of ma’aser [charity tithe] questions if you don’t mind helping me with, please. My brother gave me £100 as a birthday present recently. Do I need to deduct ma’aser from this? Also, is one able to give a donation from a salary that one has not been paid yet? As in, may I…

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…

09 Feb 0Comments 0Likes

Events of Mount Sinai (Parashat Yitro)

Dear Rabbi Simon I’m struggling to understand Exodus Chapter 20 and the events at Mount Sinai. I’d appreciate guidance on this subject to help me better understand the text. My issue comes from the shift from the 1st person to the 3rd person being used – I’ve used the Chabad English online torah as reference. I notice that vv. 2-6…

25 Jan 0Comments 0Likes

Transformative Question

Dear Rabbi Simon Is it permissible for Jewish men to date or marry transgender women? Thank you Jan Dear Jan Thank you for your contemporary question. The phenomenon of gender dysphoria and its many implications is increasingly widespread, and the possibilities for pharmaceutical and surgical intervention leading to transsexualism have advanced dramatically in recent years. This, of course, is the background…

28 Dec 0Comments 0Likes

Babylonian Exiles

Dear Rabbi Simon I wonder if you can help. I am writing a children’s book about the life of Daniel and the exile in Babylon. In the book of Jeremiah Ch. 29 the prophet urges the Jewish exiles in Babylon to marry and have sons and daughters. My question is – who did the men marry? I would have thought…

07 Dec 0Comments 0Likes

Disposing of Talit/Tzitzit

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…

23 Nov 0Comments 1Like

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.…

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
***
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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