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24 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Ringing Endorsement?

Note: A recent Q&A addressed the need for one to remove his or her ring(s) in order to properly perform the mitzvah of netilat yadayim (washing one’s hands ritually before eating bread, challah, matzah or similar). In brief, Rabbi Simon’s answer was that it is common practice for women to do so, but that it is not the norm for men. A…

24 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Rings and Tefillin (Round Three)

Dear Rabbi Simon, I have been following the interesting discussion about wedding rings and men not having to remove them before washing for Hamotzi. It has always been my custom to take off my ring before washing. If I may then ask further, I also take off my wedding ring when putting on my Tefillin as the strap would go…

24 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Ashkenazi vs Sephardi

Dear Rabbi Simon, Navah has asked me: is there anything that’s permitted for Ashkenazim which is forbidden to Sephardim. Funny how questions like this always materialise at Pesach… All the best, Stefan Hi Stefan (and Navah) The answer is “plenty”, and year-round, not just for 8 days. 1. The Shulhan ‘Arukh rules that one must wait 6 hours between meat and milk. The…

24 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Mitzvah with Strings Attached?

Dear Rabbi Simon, I hope it’s OK to trouble you with a question/discussion that I was having with a friend: Essentially – does one need/is one obligated to wear a begged katon (tzitzit)? I was putting forward the view that this is a must, a mitzvah, something that one cannot absolve oneself of.  That minhag of the Jewish People essentially…

24 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Under Cover

Dear Rabbi Simon, TY for your reply re the nature of the mitzvah of tzitzit [Kesher Connections newsletter two weeks ago]. The discussion to which I referred then developed into a debate about wearing a head covering – in that this too was purported to be a midat chasidut (“practice of the pious”, ie not universally required as normative). Granted,…

24 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

New Sefer Torah

Dear Rabbi Simon, Our Shul is Modern Orthodox. We are looking at acquiring a new Sefer Torah. My limited understanding is that we have a choice between Ari or Beit Yosef. Which would you recommend for our kehillah? What essentially is the difference? Thanks! Jonathan Dear Jonathan, Go for the Beit Yosef (see Bereshit 41:55). This is the “font” prescribed…

23 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Kosher Invitation?

Hi Rabbi Simon I hope you can advise me. If there are families who invite you to eat and they say they keep kosher at home fully, BUT you know for a fact that they eat out vegetarian/fish etc. are we allowed to eat by them? I’ve been reading about it and read that you should never ask someone about…

22 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Crystal or Occult?

Dear Rabbi Simon I recently bought a couple of necklaces from a lady who does crystal healing. I bought them because they were pretty, and thought of the “healing” properties as just a bit of an added bonus and a nice idea! It occurred to me afterwards to wonder whether it’s OK to wear these from a Jewish perspective? Thanks…

22 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Puppy Love

Dear Rabbi Simon We have recently acquired a (female) dog as a family pet. Our vet has advised us to have her neutered, as is common practice with many household pets (particularly dogs). Is there any objection to this in Jewish law? Caleb Dear Caleb TY for your Q. The simple answer is yes, there is an objection. The Torah…

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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