Jewish Life

HomeJewish Life
02 Jul 0Comments 0Likes

Leading Kabbalat Shabbat Prayers

Dear Rabbi Simon, What is your opinion on an under-age boy (ie, not yet bar mitzvah) leading the tefillah for Kabbalat Shabbat? Even though it might not be preferable nor encouraged, is there an issue with that? All the best! Justin Dear Justin, TY for your Q. Inasmuch as the Kabbalat Shabbat service is not part of the essential prayers…

02 Jul 0Comments 0Likes

Bat Mitzvah girls reading from the Torah

Dear Rabbi Simon, What is your take on this whole new feminism drive sweeping across Modern-Orthodox Judaism? It has become popular in my community for Bat Mitzvahs (there’s been a few I know of recently) for the girl to Lein from the Torah at Shabbat Mincha, with the condition of less than 10 men present. They claim that halakhically this…

02 Jul 0Comments 0Likes

Exercise class in a church hall

Dear Rabbi Simon, Please can you tell me if one may go to an exercise class in a church hall?  If so, would that still be the case even if there’s a cross (crucifix) on the wall? Deborah Dear Deborah, As a rule, entering the sanctuary of a church is to be strictly avoided. (I will not dwell on those…

02 Jul 0Comments 0Likes

Time-Lapse Challah

Dear Rabbi Simon I was baking challah today and I became distracted and forgot to perform the mitzvah of hafrashat challah (separating the designated portion) from the dough. I only realised my oversight after the challot came out of the oven (gorgeous and begging to be tasted). Help! Can I still eat/serve/enjoy these challot? Donna Dear Donna All is not…

01 Jul 0Comments 0Likes

Holding on to Good Health

Dear Rabbi Simon, As you know I recently turned 60 and was pleased to receive my Oyster bus/tube pass. Another marker on the road to seniority, however, was the NHS bowel cancer screening test kit which arrived in the post within a few days of my birthday. As far as I know I am healthy in this area. My question…

01 Jul 0Comments 0Likes

“Kvatter” – what do I need to know?

Hi Rabbi, I have been given the honour with Debbie to be Kvatter at a Bris tomorrow. What am I expected to do? And what does the honour entail? Thank you. Regards David Hi David, Kvatter (Kvatterin in the feminine) is the Yiddish term (probably from the old German meaning “in place of the father”) for the woman and man who…

30 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Gemara on Pirkei Avot

Dear Rabbi Simon, What tractates from the Talmud discuss the Mishna tractate of Avot? Thanks, Yisrael Dear Yisrael, Avot is a tractate (book) of the Mishna, in Seder Nezikin (Damages, laws generally governing interaction among people and society in general), which does not have Gemara associated with it. Individual mishnayot from Avot are quoted in various places in the Talmud,…

30 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Shabbat hosts with indeterminate Kashrut

Dear Rabbi, Since becoming observant I generally don’t eat a meal prepared by someone who is not shomer Shabbat, the reason being that if they don’t respect Shabbat how can I assume they’re respecting kashrut? That’s led to some uncomfortable moments over the years when I’ve had to turn down invitations. However, I now feel I’m in a particularly awkward situation: for…

30 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

10 Commandments: Why all the fuss?

Dear Rabbi Simon, With Shavuot approaching, I have a question about the 10 Commandments: We are told not to say the Aseret Hadibrot [10 Commandments] out loud since “heretics will come to say that is all the Torah” yet in the UK for sure we have big shuls where they are prominently portrayed above the Ark which could and I…

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
Events / Calendar