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16 Oct 0Comments 0Likes

Minyan Man

Dear Rabbi Simon Here is a delicate question for you: It was brought to my attention that there may be a Halakhah about including someone in the Minyan who has married out. We were discussing this today as there is someone who davens with us frequently who has married out of the Jewish faith. He seems to take his davening…

10 Sep 0Comments 0Likes

Disappearing Minyan

Dear Rabbi Simon What is the “best practice” in a case where the 10th man in the minyan leaves after the Amidah at Maariv when Shabbos ends? Should the shaliach tzibur still say the kaddish which follows the Amidah (even though there are only 9 left in the room)? What about the further “complete” kaddish after the short additional prayers…

27 Aug 0Comments 0Likes

Kosher Glass Dishes

Dear Rabbi Simon, My grandmother has moved out of her home and has glass/crystal glasses and decanters that we can take or give to a charity shop. Kashrus was not observed in her home. Can you please advise if we can use them? Thanks, Crystal Dear Crystal, You may use these glass and crystal items without cavil. As a matter…

20 Aug 0Comments 0Likes

Tzitzit Disposal

Dear Rabbi Simon, What’s the correct way to dispose of tzitzit (garment and tzitzit). Thank you Ariel Dear Ariel, Thank you for your question. Fringes should be removed and ideally places in genizah (or buried in your own garden, if you like). Garment can be placed in a bag and discarded, or recycled for the save-the-earth factor. עם ישראל חי…

13 Aug 0Comments 0Likes

Accepting Charity & the World to Come

Dear Rabbi Simon, Shalom. I have a question. Does accepting money or other benefits from the [Israeli] government, in regards to making Aliyah, reduce my portion in the World to Come? Also does accepting tzedakah in general, when I have no money, reduce my portion, if I don’t actually need the tzedakah because my essential needs are provided by the…

08 Aug 0Comments 0Likes

Children at a Cemetery

Dear Rabbi Simon, I have a question about bringing a child under bar or bat mitzvah to a cemetery for a funeral or stone-setting. What is the halacha (or minhag)?  In South Africa it is not done but is this just a custom?  I am also aware that at a cemetery there is a whole lot of stuff happening in…

10 Jul 0Comments 0Likes

Non-Kosher Medication

Dear Rabbi Simon, I wonder if you can help with this query. My daughter has been given a medication for anxiety around flying. Apparently it contains grape juice – it’s a liquid medication (homeopathic). It’s not marked kosher, so wondering if she would be able to use it? Many thanks, Julie Dear Julie, Liquid homeopathic medication with a grape juice…

02 Jul 0Comments 0Likes

Calling an Avel to the Torah (Aliyah)

Note: This question is from a Gabbai [from another city]: Dear Rabbi Simon, Sadly, a member of the community was buried today [Sunday]. Is the avel (brother of the deceased) allowed to receive an aliyah this coming Shabbos in shul? Avner Dear Avner, Torah study (reading) is forbidden during the Shiva, as reading the Torah is a source of joy,…

25 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Tallit and Tzitzit

Dear Rabbi Simon, I make a Bracha on my tallis gadol to cover my tallis katan too (as per the Halacha). But if I take my tzitzit off during the day for a while (for legitimate reason like exercise) do I make a Bracha on it when I put it back on? Tal Dear Tal, In my view, you should.…

19 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Parev Washing Up

Dear Rabbi Simon, My wife bought two plastic jugs. There are a few plastic cups which came with them. She intends to use them for water and fruit juice and treat them as parev. We would like to know if we can wash them in either the milky sink or in the meaty sink. Would they always have to be…

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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