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14 Nov 0Comments 0Likes

Luck vs Success

Dear Rabbi Simon Can you please explain the difference, in Jewish thought, between luck and hatzlahah? Leib Dear Leib Thank you for your interesting (though slightly amorphous) question. “Luck” in the sense of happenstance is the subject of controversy in Jewish thought, as many authorities are of the view that all human affairs are subject to continuous and specific divine…

06 Nov 0Comments 0Likes

Commanded to Work?

Dear Rabbi Simon Can you please tell me whether we are commanded to work? Meant to work? What about someone who has enough money to live on (eg through inheritance, savings, successful investments, or similar)? Thanks Ashir Dear Ashir Thank you for your question, which is, however, a little oblique. At one level, “work” may be seen as a necessary…

30 Oct 0Comments 0Likes

Berakhah Frequency

Dear Rabbi Simon My friend is sick in hospital. B”H two days ago the feeding tube was taken from his nose. He is now drinking and eating small amounts frequently. Because it is demanding, I forget to instruct him to recite the blessing. Does he need to bless every time? Thanks Rafi Dear Raphi Thank you for your question. If…

18 Sep 0Comments 0Likes

Terumah and Ma’aser

Dear Rabbi Simon I received a notice today from the London Beth Din that mentioned the process for separating terumah and ma’aser. I have the following questions: The notice did not mention using an actual coin. Isn’t the coin part of the process? Assuming a coin is required for ma’aser sheni, I have seen it said that we should throw the…

11 Sep 0Comments 0Likes

Wristwatches

Dear Rabbi Simon Can you let me know if wristwatches are allowed? Do many Hassidic Jews wear them? Many thanks Shimon Dear Shimon Thank you for your question. Wristwatches are certainly allowed and are widely worn by religious Jews, Hassidic and others. There is an outlying view that they should be avoided by men due to the possible association with women’s adornments…

04 Sep 0Comments 0Likes

Apple Tree

Dear Rabbi Simon My neighbour’s apple tree overhangs my garden. We have agreed for my gardener to cut down the branches on my side in order to replace the broken fence between the gardens. However, I am concerned about the halakhic permissibility of doing so. Am I right that the Torah forbids destroying fruit-bearing trees. (But my gardener is not Jewish.)…

21 Aug 0Comments 0Likes

Lazy Days of Summer (morning Shema’)

Dear Rabbi Simon If I oversleep and start my davening after z’man Keriyat Shema (latest time for morning Shema), do I omit the blessings of the Shema (two before and one after) since the time for fulfilling the mitzvah has passed? Ie, would these be “blessings in vain” (berachot le-vatalah)? In that case, in the summer Shabbatot when I need…

25 Jul 0Comments 0Likes

Holy Electricity

Dear Rabbi Simon What does it mean to feel that “Holy Electricity” that runs through one’s body, such as during a particular part of a sermon, or when someone speaks words of kindness and encouragement intentionally and directly to you? Many thanks Chloe Dear Chloe I am not familiar with the expression “Holy Electricity”, and I suspect it is a…

25 Jul 0Comments 0Likes

A Jarring Question – Toivelling Spice Jars

Dear Rabbi Simon Do glass spice jars require tevillah (ritual immersion in a mikveh)? Thank you. Joel Dear Joel, Yes, they require tevillah (with a berakhah) if you bought the jars and are filling them with your own spice. However, If they are provided by the spice purveyor essentially as a means of packaging their product so you can buy…

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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