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09 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Double Trouble or Solution?

Dear Rabbi Simon We are renewing our kitchen (a costly but rewarding endeavour). I am looking at an Indesit built-in electric double oven (£269 from John Lewis). May I simply designate one oven for meat and one for dairy, or do I need two separate single ovens? Debbie Dear Debbie While the luxury of two separate single ovens is preferred…

09 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Vegan Cheese and Beef Burgers

Dear Rabbi Simon I am cooking beef burgers for supper tonight and would like to know if there is a problem with maarit aayin to put parev vegan cheese with the burgers. Thank You Coleiv Dear Coleiv In such a case the שולחן ערוך  says to place the non-dairy wrapper on the counter near where you’re cooking. Then it’s OK.…

09 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

A Thread of Blue: Fringe Benefits

Editor’s note: for follow-up Q&A on this subject see Techelet: All or Nothing? Dear Rabbi Simon I have a question about something I came across on a “techelet experience” in Israel recently. Given that techelet is d’oraita [a Torah mitzvah] how come it is only taken up on a limited basis? Is this due to the lack of clarity as…

09 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Techelet: All or Nothing?

Note: This is a follow-up to A Thread of Blue: Fringe Benefits Dear Rabbi Simon, Recently someone wanted to promote the idea of Hekdesh and keeping things special for Shabbat – particularly clothing – and this is a fabulous initiative. One thing that I and others do not have is ’special’ tzitzit for Shabbat and the idea came about that…

09 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Kosher food, non-Kosher Restaurant

Dear Rabbi Simon, Can you bring and eat your own kosher food at a work team lunch taking place in a non-Kosher restaurant? Alex Dear Alex, This is disputed among the posekim, partly based on the question of whether we are concerned for new מראית עין (ie presumption of impropriety on the part of an onlooker) scenarios or are we only…

09 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Beracha on Tzitzit

Dear Rabbi Simon, Would taking off tsitsit to play football for one hour require a beracha when putting them back on? Alex Hi Alex, I would not think so, however if you shower afterwards, then yes. Particularly if you have in mind that the berachah in the morning applies only until you take the ציצית off. Of course if it…

08 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Exotic Coffee: Is it kosher?

Dear Rabbi Simon, Do you have an opinion for the Kopi Lowak coffee? There is an argument online – the OU shares both opinion but they say ask your local Rabbinical authority. In terms if it is a product of a non kosher animal or it can be considered a product of animal digestion? Many thanks, Daniel Dear Daniel, An intriguing question,…

05 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Kosher Baby

Dear Rabbi Simon, I gave my one-year-old baby some food that was cooked with meat, and then 10 minutes later I gave him a dairy bottle without giving him anything to eat in between. Was this a problem? (If it’s not too much trouble, could you give me the Halachic sources in the answer? I like to look the sources up…

05 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Fringe Benefits for Lefties

The following Q&A is from a text message exchange: Shmuel: As one who is left-handed, do I hold Tzitzit in my right hand for first 2 paragraphs of Shema, then in my left-hand for the 3rd paragraph? Rabbi Simon: Holdציצית  in the left hand, the side of the heart. Between pinkie and ring finger. For the third paragraph hold in the…

19 May 0Comments 0Likes

Mixed Gym

Dear Rabbi Simon Whilst I have realised for a while at my ripe old age that I need to do more exercise, what holds me back is finding the time.  Once I get home in the evening, there is always something to do and despite my best efforts I never seem to be able to get these trainers on and…

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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