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28 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Mitzvah vs. Mitzvah

Dear Rabbi Simon, I’m invited to the wedding of a good friend’s daughter in Israel in August. When I told my mum, she got very sad and worried that I’m considering travelling to a war zone!  What’s the right thing to do? To honour the couple / my best friend? To be a good Zionist / Jew and not to…

17 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Nighttime Shema and Dinner

Dear Rabbi Simon, When we daven Maariv before nightfall (as is very common in the summer months), are we supposed to say (repeat) the Shema at earliest opportunity possible after the stars are visible?  Is one supposed to not eat dinner before saying the Shema? I presume that if you’re davening a late Maariv ie 10:30pm, it’s permissible to eat…

05 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Know It All – Torah Study

Dear Rabbi Simon, I’m looking for a source in the Jewish tradition that states that a man must know or learn the entire Torah, for example all of Talmud Bavli [Babylonian Talmud]. Can you help? Sincerely, Tal Dear Tal, Thank you for your question. There are numerous passages in the Talmud and elsewhere about the scope of the obligation of…

09 May 0Comments 0Likes

Rise and Shine

Dear Rabbi Simon I would like to know what’s better when it comes to morning prayers (ie Shema and Amidah). Is it better to pray first thing in the morning in my PJ’s after brushing teeth when I just wake up which is around 6:00am, or is it better to pray after my morning routine which includes exercising, shower, dressing, etc. which…

01 May 0Comments 0Likes

Mezuzot

Dear Rabbi Simon Can someone who is not Jewish handle mezuzot as in removing them carefully from the doorposts? We are out of the country and just wondered if it is an issue. Many thanks, Shevi Hi Shevi Thank you for your question. Under the circumstances, if the mezuzot are in their cases, they may be carefully removed and stored by a decorator or similar.…

27 Mar 0Comments 0Likes

“Kosher Handshake”

Dear Rabbi Simon, When a woman is offered a handshake by a man in a professional setting, are there ever circumstances that would override the prohibition with regards to touching ? For example, if the male in question has just suffered something of an embarrassing nature and then proceeds to extend his hand to a female – would she be…

13 Mar 0Comments 0Likes

Core Beliefs of Judaism

Dear Rabbi Simon As head of the Jewish affinity group at a major national charity, I will be asked at a forum, “What are the Core Beliefs of Judaism?” I plan to give the answer below.  What do you think? Thanks and regards, Alex [The answer which appears below reflects Rabbi Simon’s editing of Alex’s proposed response.] Dear Alex Nice…

06 Mar 0Comments 0Likes

Studying Talmud

Dear Rabbi Simon I don’t know if I am studying the Talmud correctly or doing something wrong. For example, I have read Ch. 2 of tractate Avodah Zarah. It may be my ignorance, but I did not really get anything out of it. Should I be doing something after I have read it? I do not know if the English…

21 Feb 0Comments 0Likes

Kashrut Question

Dear Rabbi Simon Can you please tell me what happens if by accident one drinks chicken soup from a milky bowl using a milky spoon or from a milky bowl using a meaty spoon? Many thanks, Sammy Dear Sammy Thank you for your question. This is actually rather complicated, as there are multiple variables to be considered, including the material of the bowl,…

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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