Techeiles in Tzitzis

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Dear Rabbi Simon
Should we be wearing Techeiles in our Tzitzis today? (I am asking a few rabbis this question.) FYI, here is a site which presents people who agree and disagree with wearing techeiles: http://techeiles.org/debate.php. I also found this informative article on the subject: http://dinonline.org/2013/06/01/parashas-korach-the-mitzvah-of-techeiles/. What is your view?
Kol tuv,
Alistair

Dear Alistair,

Techeilet is a worthy subject for halakhic consideration/debate. My issue with it is that the matter has become caught up in religious politics (Gush Emunim, etc), inasmuch as the rediscovery  of techeilet is associated with the messianic era. I long ago advised a student (who asked me about this) to follow the example of the roshei yeshiva where he was learning. I would still give the same advice today. These practices tend to change slowly (if at all) and perhaps in another generation the widespread version of techeilet will become the norm throughout the mitzvah-observant world. This is not (yet) the case today.

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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