Tefillin

Fringe Benefits for Lefties

The following Q&A is from a text message exchange: Shmuel: As one who is left-handed, do I hold Tzitzit in my right hand for first 2 paragraphs of Shema, then in my left-hand for the 3rd paragraph? Rabbi Simon: Holdציצית  in the left hand, the side of the heart. Between pinkie and ring finger. For the third paragraph hold in the…

Tefillin Questions

Dear Rabbi Simon, I have a couple of questions regarding my tefillin. I have lost the black box that goes above my hand tefillin. Is that a problem? Also, how often should one have his tefillin checked? Many thanks, Jeff Dear Jeff, Black box covering: best to replace this. Ask the Sofer down the road from Torah Treasures if he can…

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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