Shabbat Candles when my Wife is Away

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Dear Rabbi Simon,
My wife is temporarily living in Florida. Do I have to light Shabbos candles in New York if my wife lights in Florida?
Ira

Dear Ira
Thank you for your practical question.
The simple answer is yes, you should light in NY even though your wife is also lighting Shabbos candles where she is (in Florida).
However, there are several considerations which may be relevant or applicable, such as where you are eating the Friday night meal, whether you are on your own or with others for Shabbos, etc. Also note that the earliest time for lighting Shabbos candles (known as Plag ha-Minchah) is close to 6:40pm in NYC this time of year. This can give rise to nuanced halakhic considerations with regard to the timing of Mincha prayers in shul.
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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