shabbat

Refuah Prayers (cont.)

Dear Rabbi Simon At what point should we remove a person’s name from the list of cholim [those in need of healing] that you say over Shabbat in shul? My mother is thank G-d well on her way to recovery, so as a general rule, should that list be reserved for more serious situations? Danny Hi Danny This is a…

Like Peas in a Pod?

Dear Rabbi Simon We read that one is not allowed to eat peas from a pod on Shabbos? How is this different from peeling a banana on Shabbos, which is allowed? Yosef and Levia Dear Yosef & Levia TY for your sophisticated question. The Talmud (Beitzah 13b) teaches that mefarek (extracting) is a toldah (derivative) of dash (threshing). This refers…

Earliest time for Kiddush

Dear Rabbi Simon. If I don’t make it to shul on a Saturday morning, what is the earliest time I can make kiddush at home? Many thanks, Mike Dear Mike, Technically the earliest is after the Amidah for Shacharit, which can be recited any time after dawn (=72 minutes before sunrise). However it is ideal to wait for sunrise itself for Amidah.…

Kosher Water Minibar

Dear Rabbi Simon, I saw this Kosher Water Minibar (https://www.kosher-water-minibar.co.uk/) advertised, and quite fancy reducing my energy bill and level of anxiety at my Shabbat urn hot water running out. I know the laws of Shabbat can be highly complex and some technological “solutions” are controversial. This product claims certification from Zomet and Institute of Science and Halacha. Is this reliable? Many thanks Mayim Hi Mayim…

Brushing Teeth on Shabbat

Dear Rabbi Simon, Do I need a special toothbrush for Shabbat? Someone told me about this. Isn’t there a dual problem with brushing your teeth with regards to “taking the bad from the good” and “leveling” (of the toothpaste)? Many thanks Elliot Dear Elliot, General “best practice” is to refrain from using toothpaste on Shabbos, even with a special toothbrush.…

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
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