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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…

19 May 0Comments 0Likes

Priestly Garment: Pa’amon ve-Rimon

Dear Rabbi Simon, In last week parashah, the Kohen Gadol’s ceremonial robe was adorned with Bells and Rimonim (pomegranates). I have read that the Bells were to alert people (or possibly the angels?), that the Kohen Gadol is approaching. What function did the Rimonim serve. I could not find any explanation. Nothing in the Torah without a reason. Looking forward…

18 May 0Comments 0Likes

Pinkie Pointing

Dear Rabbi Simon What is the source and the meaning of the custom to point the pinkie at the Torah Scroll when it is lifted after reading from it in public (or before, in the Sephardic tradition)? Pinchus Dear Pinny Your question is interesting because it relates to a widespread custom whose source is rather obscure. The Shulchan Aruch (OH…

14 May 0Comments 0Likes

OMG! Cheese and Bacon in my Oven

Dear Rabbi Simon, My wife came home and found that our cleaner had put her cheese and ham sandwich in the oven. She is pyroliticing it now but the cleaner used our milk one and she can’t leave the sides and racks in. Is there any way the sides and racks can be kashered? Thank you in advance! Shlomo Dear…

14 May 0Comments 0Likes

Tzedakah Calculation

Dear Rabbi Simon, I have a question regarding giving charity. If I had committed to giving a set amount each month to charity and I decide to give this charity through a service like https://achisomoch.org/, where they take 5% comission for the use of their very good service, surely it is up to me to give an additional 5% as…

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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