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30 Aug 0Comments 0Likes

Shaatnez Question

Dear Rabbi Simon, I have a linen suit which I sometimes wear on Shabbat.  The tallit I wear over the suit is made from wool.  I was wondering if there is an issue with shaatnez if I wear them together.  If not, could you please explain. Many thanks. Will Dear Will, Thank you for your interesting and practical question. The…

23 Aug 0Comments 0Likes

Unsocial Media (Is Hate Allowed?)

Dear Rabbi Simon, Someone keeps signing me up for email lists without my permission, which is really frustrating.  As a Jew, am I allowed to hate him for this? Is hate allowed under God’s law? Thanks, Emily Hi Email-y Thank you for your interesting questions. The Torah certainly discourages hatred in general, even towards our enemies and those who have…

16 Aug 0Comments 0Likes

Airbnb Buddha

Dear Rabbi Simon, I hope all well. We arrived at our apartment in Jodhpur. There are various shrines and images of the Buddha… Can we stay here? (The whole country is full of Buddhas, actually.) Should we cover them up? Here is an example: Hindy in India Dear Hindy From the photo, it would seem that this is decorative rather…

09 Aug 0Comments 0Likes

Summertime, Summertime

Dear Rabbi Simon, We have just bought ourselves a gas barbecue and are looking forward to using it. I know that we avoid eating meat and fish together (though I’m not sure why). Are we able to cook meat on it one night and fish the next or would that be an issue? Thanks Barbara Dear Barbara, Thank you for…

31 Jul 0Comments 0Likes

Digital Sanctity

Dear Rabbi Simon, Can I write G-d’s name electronically and delete it? Regards Dina Dear Dina, Thank you for your practical question. The answer is that you may, as the digital image which appears on a screen does not have the sanctity (or relative permanence) of the written word. However, as a matter of sensitivity I would not encourage writing…

26 Jul 0Comments 0Likes

Roman Baths

Dear Rabbi Simon, I am planning a visit next week to Bath, Somerset, the UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its Roman-era baths. But when a friend sent me photos, describing “one of the finest religious spas of the ancient world,” I began to wonder if one is actually allowed to visit this particular historical attraction, considering that the religion…

28 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Davening Attire

Dear Rabbi Simon, I hope you don’t mind if I pose a question regarding davening apparel. I daven at home regularly and I was curious as to what the halakhic etiquette is in terms of attire and footwear. The way I approach this, which is not based on anything specific, is that when I pray I make sure I am…

21 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Visiting Hampton Court Palace Chapel

Dear Rabbi Simon, I would like to visit Hampton Court Palace while I’m in London but I’m not sure if, as Jews, we are forbidden to visit the Palace because there is a chapel there. Would it be OK to visit the palace but avoid the chapel? Thank you, Courtney Dear Courtney Thank you for your question. You may visit the Hampton…

14 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Remember my Soul

Dear Rabbi Simon, Before Shavuot I lit yahrzeit candles for my parents as well as one for my boyfriend who passed away 2 years ago. My parents’ candles lasted exactly 24 hours but my boyfriend’s candle lasted 28 hours. Does this mean anything as the 3 candles were all lit at the same time? I keep thinking my boyfriend wasn’t ready…

07 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Prayer or Prison?

Dear Rabbi Simon, Should the mitzvah of prayer in a minyan be canceled at a time of danger of being in a dangerous place or being persecuted by non-Jewish authorities, for example, going to prison? This means a danger that may come true (and many people, not only Jews, take it seriously), but it may not happen either. Eli Dear…

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
Events / Calendar

Upcoming Events

Tue, 05/5 Whole day
Lag BaOmer
Mon, 05/11 8:00 PM
Talmud with Rashi via Zoom
Mon, 05/18 8:00 PM
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Erev Shavuot
Fri, 05/22 Whole day
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