Torah

Gemara on Pirkei Avot

Dear Rabbi Simon, What tractates from the Talmud discuss the Mishna tractate of Avot? Thanks, Yisrael Dear Yisrael, Avot is a tractate (book) of the Mishna, in Seder Nezikin (Damages, laws generally governing interaction among people and society in general), which does not have Gemara associated with it. Individual mishnayot from Avot are quoted in various places in the Talmud,…

30 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

10 Commandments: Why all the fuss?

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Dear Rabbi Simon, With Shavuot approaching, I have a question 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 I…

29 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Look out for the Evil Eye

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Note: Pirkei Avot (5:22) associates Bilaam (the protagonist in this week’s Parasha, Balak) with an “evil eye”. A recent Q&A sheds light on this well-known concept. Dear Rabbi Simon, Is there a source in Torah for the ayin hora [Evil Eye]? If not, where did the Gemara get the idea from? Kol tuv, Ira Dear Ira The concept of an…

26 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Creation and other Miracles

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Dear Rabbi Simon, I hope you had a good Yom Tov. The Sun stood still for Joshua (ch. 10) prolonging the day. Hundreds of years later, the day was shortened for King Chizkiyahu (2 Kings ch. 20). Have these miracles caused observable astronomical effects? Are there any other miracles in Tenach whose effects can be observed today? In reply to…

24 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

New Sefer Torah

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Dear Rabbi Simon, Our Shul is Modern Orthodox. We are looking at acquiring a new Sefer Torah. My limited understanding is that we have a choice between Ari or Beit Yosef. Which would you recommend for our kehillah? What essentially is the difference? Thanks! Jonathan Dear Jonathan, Go for the Beit Yosef (see Bereshit 41:55). This is the “font” prescribed…

19 May 0Comments 0Likes

Priestly Garment: Pa’amon ve-Rimon

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Dear Rabbi Simon, In last week parashah, the Kohen Gadol’s ceremonial robe was adorned with Bells and Rimonim (pomegranates). I have read that the Bells were to alert people (or possibly the angels?), that the Kohen Gadol is approaching. What function did the Rimonim serve. I could not find any explanation. Nothing in the Torah without a reason. Looking forward…

18 May 0Comments 0Likes

Pinkie Pointing

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Dear Rabbi Simon What is the source and the meaning of the custom to point the pinkie at the Torah Scroll when it is lifted after reading from it in public (or before, in the Sephardic tradition)? Pinchus Dear Pinny Your question is interesting because it relates to a widespread custom whose source is rather obscure. The Shulchan Aruch (OH…

30 Apr 0Comments 0Likes

Response to Ramban’s Question on Rashi

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Dear Rabbi Simon, In the week’s Parashah (Chayei Sarah), Rashi on Gen. 24:8 (based on Kiddushin 61b) says that if the woman doesn’t want to come back with Eliezer he is absolved from the oath and can take a wife for Isaac from the daughters of Aner, Eshkol or Mamre. Ramban says this can’t be the case as they were…

30 Apr 0Comments 0Likes

What’s in a Name?

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Dear Rabbi Simon, Can you shed some light on the two names Jacob and Israel, and why the Torah seems to switch frequently between them? For example 42:29 “They came to Jacob Their father …… 42:36 “Their Father Jacob said to them…… 42:37 “Then Reuben told his Father ……. 43:3 “But Judah told him…… 43: 6 “Then Israel said …….…

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

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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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