Note: Pirkei Avot (5:22) associates Bilaam (the protagonist in this week’s Parasha, Balak) with an “evil eye”. A recent Q&A sheds light on this well-known concept. Dear Rabbi Simon, Is there a source in Torah for the ayin hora [Evil Eye]? If not, where did the Gemara get the idea from? Kol tuv, Ira Dear Ira The concept of an…
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
***
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