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09 Dec 0Comments 0Likes

Dinah and Shechem: Blaming the Victim?

Note: This parshanut (Torah interpretation) Q&A relates to last week’s Parashah (VaYishlach). We are sharing it here for the interest of our learned readers. Dear Rabbi Simon, Please see Gen. 34:1. Rabbeinu Bechaye quoting Midrash Tanchuma presents the view that women should stay at home and that Dinah was at fault for going out. Does this not transpose the victim…

25 Nov 0Comments 0Likes

Ask the Rabbi – Glycerine in Hand Gel

Dear Rabbi Simon I happened to be made aware of a company that is starting to manufacture hand sanitizer that is Hallal, and is not manufactured with any animal products (possibly referring to glycerine). I was thinking about it from a kashrut perspective. My initial thought is that it’s not relevant as hand gel is not food that we eat,…

04 Nov 0Comments 44Likes

Close Shave with the Law

Dear Rabbi Simon, Can you please tell me if the following shavers are kosher? Philips New Series 3000 Wet or Dry Men’s Electric Shaver Philip series 6000 wet and dry men’s electric shaver Philip series 9000 wet and dry mens electric shaver Philip series 5000 wet and dry men’s electrical shaver. Many thanks, Monty Dear Monty Thank you for your…

28 Oct 0Comments 0Likes

Plastic Microwave Cover

Dear Rabbi Simon We have plastic covers used in the microwave to cover the plate.  By accident today I put the milky one on a meaty plate full of chicken and microwaved it for a minute or so before I realised.  What should we do about the milky cover and collateral damage? Many thanks Gali Dear Gali The food and…

09 Sep 0Comments 0Likes

Post Holocaust Tranquility and Ki Tavo Curses

Note: We always read the portion of Ki Tavo on the penultimate Shabbat of the year, so that we do not enter Rosh HaShanah with the harrowing curses ringing in our ears. We present here an interesting Q&A relating to those curses. Dear Rabbi Simon, Please see Dt. 28:65 (towards the end of last week’s Parasha): “And among those nations…

26 Aug 0Comments 0Likes

Interest rate blues?

Dear Rabbi Simon, Currently, Muslim bank accounts are the highest interest paying accounts in the UK market by far, what is your view of opening one of these accounts? Thanks and regards, Miriam Dear Miriam An interest-ing question indeed, as they have a similar injunction regarding interest as we do (see this week’s Parasha, Deut. 23:20-21). This is one of…

19 Aug 0Comments 0Likes

Remote Minyan

Dear Rabbi Simon, Can a weekday minyan meet remotely, eg via Zoom or similar technology, if all the participants can see one another?  I suspect the answer is no, but it may be an interesting Q&A subject. Kol tuv, Mendy Dear Mendy You are right on both counts: They do not comprise a minyan, and it is an interesting Q&A…

05 Aug 0Comments 0Likes

Zoom Minyan

Dear Rabbi Simon When we connect with one another for prayers in a virtual space (e.g. Zoom, Skype, etc.) and we can each see nine other men, why doesn’t it count as a valid minyan? Kind regards Benjy Dear Benjy, TY for your question. The answer is that in order to constitute a quorum (minyan), the 10 men have to…

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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