Jewish World Events

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…

Trump Triumphant; Jews Joining Islam?

Dear Rabbi, Here is a topical one: the ADL’s Jonathan Greenblatt inter alia has said that he’ll register as a Muslim if the Trump administration goes the route of such a requirement. [Most unlikely, IMO.] But Rabbi Gil Student questions whether this is permissible: http://www.torahmusings.com/2016/11/may-jew-register-national-muslim-registry/. As you know, I’m a fan of Rabbi Student, but I’m not sure whether he…

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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