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26 Apr 0Comments 0Likes

Jewish Achievement

Dear Rabbi Simon, Do the Jewish holy books tell followers of Judaism to excel in their work and profession, as we have seen many Jews reach the very top of all areas like business, science, arts, cinema, entertainment, etc, as well as Nobel laureates? Many thanks, Raj Hi Raj Thank you for your interesting question. While there are passages in…

08 Mar 0Comments 0Likes

Codex Sassoon

Dear Rabbi Simon, It was a very special moment to see the Codex Sassoon while it was on display at Sotheby’s last week. Hopefully, the buyer will enable scholarly access to it for academic research. I suppose time will tell. To your knowledge, have there been any studies done comparing the various codices (Sassoon, Aleppo, Leningrad & others) for any…

11 Jan 0Comments 0Likes

Messiah

Dear Rabbi Simon Rashi sometimes refers to “the king messiah” and at other times just to “the messiah”. Why? Is there any significance in the distinction? Thank you David Dear Dave Thank you for your question. Rashi is exceedingly exacting in his language, so I would expect that there is indeed a “significance”. However, it is likely that the explanation lies…

29 Dec 0Comments 0Likes

Christians and the World to Come

Dear Rabbi Simon, The first of the Seven Noachide Laws is not to worship false gods.  As Christians worship Jesus (who is a false god according to Jewish law) would they have no place in the World to Come? Thanks, Dominic Dear Dominic, This rather fundamental question is subject to divergent positions in the rabbinic tradition. While the straightforward view…

17 Nov 0Comments 0Likes

World to Come for Noachides

Dear Rabbi Simon, The first of Noah’s Seven Laws is not to worship false gods.  As Christians worship Jesus (who is a false god according to Jewish law), would they have no place in the World to Come? Thanks, Peter Dear Peter, This rather fundamental question is subject to divergent conclusions in the rabbinic tradition. While the straightforward view would…

28 Oct 0Comments 0Likes

Yoga and Eastern Religions

Dear Rabbi Simon, Hi. I would love to have a clarification about some things related to Far Eastern traditions, sometimes partly derived from, or with connections to their religions. I am specifically enquiring about yoga and Thai or other related form of massage. Thanks very much. Joel Dear Joel, Than you for your question. In general, one should be cautious…

28 Jul 0Comments 0Likes

Jewish Assimilation

Dear Rabbi Simon, Isn’t it possible that Jews have assimilated into other religions such as Buddhism in China? Therefore, could there be more than a million Jewish people in the country of China alone? Luke Dear Luke TY for your speculative question. Inevitably, Jews have indeed assimilated over the centuries. Rather, it is remarkable that any have remained at all,…

21 Jul 0Comments 0Likes

Will King David Return?

Dear Rabbi Simon, Will King David return? Sol Dear Sol King David’s descendant will redeem the Jewish People and indeed all mankind. This is Mashiach ben David whose arrival we continue to await. The doctrine of the Resurrection of the Dead in messianic times implies that King David, together with the righteous of all generations, will indeed “return”, however our…

10 May 0Comments 0Likes

G-d’s Face

Dear Rabbi Simon In Exodus 33:20 God Tells Moshe “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” but in Psalm 104:29, it says “When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust.” also Psalm 30 says “LORD, when you favored me, you made…

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

Sat, 12/2 5:50 AM
Daddy & Me
Mon, 12/4 8:00 PM
Talmud with Rashi via Zoom
Thu, 12/7 8:00 PM
30 Minutes on the Parasha
Sat, 12/9 6:20 AM
Daddy & Me
Mon, 12/11 8:00 PM
Talmud with Rashi via Zoom