Prayer/Berachot

Dear Rabbi Simon Having moved to Israel many years ago, as far as I can recall this is my first time back in London specifically on the 7th of Heshvan [today, 29 October 2025]. I am returning to Israel in a few days. Should I include the reference to tal u-matar, “dew and rain”, in my prayers, as we do…

Dear Rabbi Simon The muesli I eat has grain (majority ingredient) and dried fruit ( about 30%). How do we determine if this grain is sufficiently improved/processed to become a Mezonot beracha, rather than maintain its Ha’adama status? The marketing blurb on the box says ‘toasted and malted wheat flakes’ amongst other grain flakes. Implies that it needs some form of…

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…

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…

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,…

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.…

Dear Rabbi Simon, What is the halacha with saying the Asher Yatzar blessing (after using the facilities) in the middle of the night? I read in (the musar classic) Orchot Tzadikim in Sha’ar ha-Zerizut [Gate of Alacrity] that he mentions this topic. While this work of righteous conduct is not a halakhic source, it was interesting to me that he…

Dear Rabbi Simon, I have a question I’m sure you’ve been asked before: If I arrive late for Mincha, what is the best approach… Start Amidah on my own, but say it fast so I can finish in time to respond to Kedusha with everyone else? Wait until the shaliach tzibur (aka ba’al tefillah or chazan) starts the repetition and…

Dear Rabbi Simon Quick question. I noticed no-one put their head down yesterday during tachanun when we davened it the front room at Kesher and I wondered why? Is one considered as being in the presence of a Sefer Torah,  if he is on shul premises? Many thanks, Tanchum Dear Tanchum The Kiddush room at Kesher is not considered the…

Dear Rabbi Simon My dilemma of the day at Shacharit: Dan and Stan both had yahrzeit on Monday. With a kohen present, there was only one “Yisrael” Aliyah up for grabs between the two of them—each of whom was quite keen to have it. I was unsure how to manage the call ups, and how to balance halakhah vs minhag…