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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…

30 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

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…

30 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

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,…

29 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Look out for the Evil Eye

Note: Pirkei Avot (5:22) associates Bilaam (the protagonist in this week’s Parasha, Balak) with an “evil eye”. A recent Q&A sheds light on this well-known concept. Dear Rabbi Simon, Is there a source in Torah for the ayin hora [Evil Eye]?  If not, where did the Gemara get the idea from? Kol tuv, Ira Dear Ira The concept of an…

29 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Parents’ Holiday Question

Hi Rabbi Simon. We are going away for two nights next week (not over Shabbos) and leaving the kids with a non-Jewish babysitter (she works at a Jewish day-care facility, so she’s relatively well versed in the workings of cooked food in a kosher kitchen). I am leaving the kids and her fully cooked food and I want to ask…

29 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Delight for the Eyes – but is it allowed?

Note: This week’s Torah Reading (Re’eh) lists kosher and non-kosher species. Where does the peacock fit in? Hi Rabbi I have an unusual question for you.  My firm has a Jewish client, and we are doing the interior design and artwork for their New York residence (they are religious, but well-travelled/worldly and into the arts). We are designing a one-of-kind,…

29 Jun 0Comments 1Like

Kosher Refrigerator Question

Dear Rabbi Simon, It is common that when food is kept in a fridge, condensation and moisture droplets form on the walls of the fridge and then also on the outside and the inside of a plastic bag (if food is stored in that), or if it is a foil container then on the outside of the container and the…

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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