Dear Rabbi Simon, I have a couple of ma’aser [charity tithe] questions if you don’t mind helping me with, please. My brother gave me £100 as a birthday present recently. Do I need to deduct ma’aser from this? Also, is one able to give a donation from a salary that one has not been paid yet? As in, may I…
Ask the Rabbi: Quinoa on Pesach
Dear Rabbi Simon,
Where do you stand on quinoa (and the kitniyot ban) for Pesach?
Many thanks,
Where do you stand on quinoa (and the kitniyot ban) for Pesach?
Many thanks,
Tzippy
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Dear 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
Rabbi Rashi Simon