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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.…

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…

22 Nov 0Comments 0Likes

Child’s Flu Vaccination

Dear Rabbi Simon We have a quick question for you with respect to the flu vaccination for our daughter. We received an email from the NHS, indicating that the vaccine is made of porcine gelatine. They indicate that we can request an alternative if we do not want a vaccine of porcine origin. We would like to know if we…

02 Nov 0Comments 0Likes

When does life begin?

Note: The questioner (name anonymised) is a physician in Missouri, USA. The prohibition against abortion (for Noachides) is derived from last week’s parashah (Gen. 9:6). Dear Rabbi Simon When does life begin? I have researched this query on various Jewish sites and have found everything from conception to the moment at birth when according to some the time the body is…

27 Oct 0Comments 1Like

Different Versions of the Torah

Note: I suspect that this (anonymised) question via our website was posed by a Christian critic of Judaism. We share it here partly in the spirit of “know how to answer the heretic”. Dear Rabbi Simon Deut. 4:2 says, “You shall not add anything to or take anything away from it, but keep the commandments of the LORD your GOD…

20 Oct 0Comments 0Likes

Wedding Bells, Wedding Blues

Dear Rabbi Simon Sorry to burden you with is an uncomfortable question: The daughter of a good friend of mine who lives overseas last week “married” another Jewish woman here in London. I was invited to the “Chupa” but (much to my relief) was not able to attend as I had inescapable work commitments that weekend (this is actually true).…

14 Sep 0Comments 0Likes

Parshanut (Biblical Interpretation)

Dear Rabbi Simon If someone gives me an interpretation of a posuk (biblical verse), how do I know if it is correct? I am not referring to a specific posuk but generally. Many thanks, Marsha Dear Marsha, Thank you for your interesting question. It is well-known that there are multiple facets to the Torah (70 in the Talmudic reckoning), so there…

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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