Jewish Life

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…

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…

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…

“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…

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,…

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…

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…

Blue Thread in my Tzitzit?

Note: We present this recent exchange in time for this week’s Parasha (Shelach), which includes (final paragraph) Num. 15:38 Dear Rabbi Simon Should we be wearing Techeiles in our Tzitzis today? (I am asking a few rabbis this question.) FYI, here is a site which presents people who agree and disagree with wearing techeiles: http://techeiles.org/debate.php. I also found this informative…

Wedding Daze: Irregular Ketubah Question

Dear Rabbi Simon, My younger sister is getting married soon (overseas).  Sadly, her fiancé is not Jewish. Nevertheless, she wanted a ketubah (marriage contract) signing and asked me to be one of the witnesses.  I wanted to ask you whether it would be appropriate for me to do this or if I should tell her that I can’t. Many thanks,…

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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