Chore or Mitzvah?

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Dear Rabbi Simon
This may be a stupid question but is the act of taking down the Sukkah also a mitzva or at least part of it?
Suki

Dear Suki
Dismantling the Sukkah would have the status of הכשר מצוה (preparatory to a mitzvah) if taking it down is necessary to enable one to fulfil the mitzvah effectively next year. This can also be seen as an extension of the brief but poignant gesture of bidding farewell to the Sukkah (see A/S Siddur p. 724). Shel”ah praises those who even kiss the walls of the Sukkah “goodbye”. Taking down the Sukkah respectfully can be seen as part of this.
Best wishes.
Rabbi Rashi Simon

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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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