Prayer/Berachot

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11 May 0Comments 0Likes

Refuah Prayers

Dear Rabbi Simon, In my Shemoneh Esrei, I add names in for ill people in the Refa’einu prayer. I am unsure as to what really qualifies for inclusion and when you should remove their name from your prayers. So typical examples are – a person who has an ongoing illness that is not life threatening but they could do with…

11 May 0Comments 0Likes

Refuah Prayers (cont.)

Dear Rabbi Simon At what point should we remove a person’s name from the list of cholim [those in need of healing] that you say over Shabbat in shul? My mother is thank G-d well on her way to recovery, so as a general rule, should that list be reserved for more serious situations? Danny Hi Danny This is a…

11 May 0Comments 0Likes

G-d Who Heals all Flesh

Dear Rabbi Simon I was wondering what the Halacha was for davening for a family member who isn’t Jewish for a Refuah sheleimah? There’s no Hebrew name, so what does one say? Thank you, Sophie Dear Sophie Sorry to hear of a family member who is unwell. I would recommend using the formula Britney bat Chava or Bradley ben Chava.…

05 May 0Comments 1Like

Evening Shema

Dear Rabbi Simon. Do I fulfil my obligation for evening Shema in any way if I say it before nightfall i.e in the early summer Maarivs? I find that in the summer once I’ve davened early Maariv with a minyan– I don’t remember to say Shema again before bed. Thanks Shimon Dear Shimon According to the preponderance of opinions, one…

30 Apr 0Comments 0Likes

Borei Isvei Besamim

Dear Rabbi Simon, On what does one say “bore mini asavim”? Many thanks, Rose Dear Rose, Do you mean borei isvei besamim? Some flowers, mint, new-mown hay, herbs, etc. Maybe cannabis, but is it aromatic? (I don’t think it is.) However, for Havdalah we always say the generic minei besamim. Best wishes Rabbi Rashi Simon

30 Apr 0Comments 0Likes

Blessing on Survival

Dear Rabbi Simon, What is the bracha you can give to a Holocaust survivor? Haim Dear Haim Difficult to say as a general rule, as every case is different, including also the individual’s relationship with Judaism and religion as a whole. But I would think something along the lines of: Your life is a testimony to the resilience of the…

25 Aug 0Comments 0Likes

Reading 10 Commandments Aloud

Q: Dear Rabbi Simon, With Shavuot approaching, I have a Q about the 10 Commandments: We are told not to say the Aseret Hadibrot [10 Commandments] out loud since “heretics will come to say that is all the Torah” yet in the UK for sure we have big shuls where they are prominently portrayed above the Ark which could and…

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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