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14 Jan 0Comments 0Likes

Charitable Help From HMRC

Dear Rabbi Simon, I have a question regarding ma’aser. In the UK under the Gift Aid one can claim for the tax back on any eligible giving. I opened an Achisomoch account that automatically claims the tax benefit on my behalf, enabling me to effectively give more to tzedakah (in the case of eligible charities registered in the UK). My…

05 Jan 0Comments 0Likes

Monument Valley

Dear Rabbi Simon, I was recently reminded of the stunning beauty of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, the Mesa Verde and, of course, the Grand Canyon. Are there any halachic concerns or limitations in visiting these landscapes given their significance to our Native compatriots, who consider some of these natural wonders as sacred ground? Manny Hi Manny Thank you for…

31 Dec 0Comments 0Likes

Prayer for Israel

Dear Rabbi Simon, I hope you are well.  I’ve been asked to say the prayer for the State of Israel at a bar mitzvah. Do you have a copy of the most appropriate prayer to say at the moment? Or do I use the version in the Koren siddur (strong on Israel)? Thanks Yisrael Thank you for your question, Yisrael.…

23 Dec 0Comments 0Likes

Mincha in the Workplace

Dear Rabbi Simon, I have question. After two weeks working in a temporary job and finding random empty offices in which to daven Mincha, I discovered a ‘multi faith room’ and went in there to daven today. But it reeked of some kind of incense. There was a Muslim prayer mat and some kind of necklaces on the side. I…

26 Nov 0Comments 0Likes

Dome of the Rock

Dear Rabbi Simon, We are living in Yerushalayim for the year, in a neighbourhood called Givat HaMivtar. There is a vantage point, on a path off a side road, from which one can see the Dome of the Rock. [Editor: The significance of this is that the prominent Moslem shrine is built on the Har HaBayit, the Temple Mount, site…

12 Nov 0Comments 0Likes

Mezonot or Hamotzi?

Dear Rabbi Simon I have a question regarding bread/pita which I eat with most meals. I understand that we generally say borei minei mezonos and Al Hamichyah for Mezonos, but that if we eat ‘a lot’ of mezonos we are then required to treat the grain product as bread, ie, ha-motzi and birkat ha-mazon (bensch). My question is, when I…

04 Nov 0Comments 0Likes

Un-Halachic Prescription?

Note: Here is a 21st-century question from a pharmacist… Dear Rabbi Simon Is it halachically a problem for me to dispense/deal with prescriptions for ‘transgender’ medication or medication for these operations? I’m seeing more and more prescriptions for this. Thanks Kemi Hi Kemi Thank you for your interesting and contemporary question. This is allowed (even if it is distasteful) for…

29 Oct 0Comments 0Likes

Israeli in London: Tefillah Question

Dear Rabbi Simon Having moved to Israel many years ago, as far as I can recall this is my first time back in London specifically on the 7th of Heshvan [today, 29 October 2025]. I am returning to Israel in a few days. Should I include the reference to tal u-matar, “dew and rain”, in my prayers, as we do…

22 Oct 0Comments 0Likes

Berakhah for Muesli & Yoghurt

Dear Rabbi Simon The muesli I eat has grain (majority ingredient) and dried fruit ( about 30%). How do we determine if this grain is sufficiently improved/processed to become a Mezonot beracha, rather than maintain its Ha’adama status? The marketing blurb on the box says ‘toasted and malted wheat flakes’ amongst other grain flakes. Implies that it needs some form of…

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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