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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…

07 Sep 0Comments 0Likes

Are We Married? Ketubah Question

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.…

31 Aug 0Comments 0Likes

Yahrzeit Question (Part II)

Dear Rabbi Simon In a recent “Ask Rabbi Rashi” column, re yahrzeit, you said that if there is an option of sponsoring the kiddush or providing food and drink at some level, this would also be a source of “elevation of the soul”. My question is, Would it not be better to give money to charity than sponsoring a kiddush?…

24 Aug 0Comments 0Likes

Mother’s Yahrzeit

Dear Rabbi Simon The yahrzeit for my mother is on a Monday. There is no daily minyan in my community. Should kaddish be recited on the Shabbat before or after? If I can get a minyan together on Sunday, is that preferable. Or what does halacha say? What do you suggest? Many thanks, Joseph Dear Joseph, First, I wish you “long…

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…

20 Jul 0Comments 0Likes

Am I Jewish? (2)

Dear Rabbi Simon My maternal grandmother was a practicing Jew and ethnically Jewish, but I was raised and baptized Catholic. I’ve researched Judaism for years and would like to pursue a deeper connection with it. My question is that do I count as Jewish/ethically Jewish due to my maternal line being Jewish? And if not then would I be allowed to one day…

13 Jul 0Comments 0Likes

Kol Sasson

Dear Rabbi Simon Is there a correlation or commentary on Jeremiah 7:34 and the wedding song that uses the same words? Susan Dear Susan, Thank you for your question, which is very apropos to my son Yehuda’s wedding earlier this week. There is indeed a correlation. The prophet Jeremiah seems to have coined (or more likely, immortalised) the phrase “kol…

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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