Rabbeinu Yonah

Is it permitted to recite the verse 'Heal us, O God' (Jeremiah 17:14) in the plural form ('Heal us' instead of 'Heal me') in the Amidah prayer?

Even if one intends to recite the verse as scripture, altering singular to plural is permitted as lo…

May one add a personal prayer within one of the middle blessings of the Amidah, and if so, to which blessing?

One may add in the middle blessings, but with conditions: additions for the public must use plural l…

May one give bread to a servant or other person unless one knows they have washed their hands (netilat yadayim)?

The concern for handwashing extends to any person, not only the servant. One should not give bread t…

When non-meal foods (e.g., fruits) are eaten first with bread and again with bread at the end of the meal, do they require a blessing when eaten without bread in between?

Even if one eats with bread at the start and end, the intervening consumption without bread still re…

When someone makes fruits the primary accompaniment to their bread (kovea seudah on fruit), are those fruits exempt from a blessing even before eating?

Even when fruit is the primary meal accompaniment, if one eats it without bread at the beginning, a …

Does saying 'hav lan v'nvarekh' (let us say the blessing) constitute a hefsek ha-da'at (lapse of attention) requiring a new blessing before drinking again?

Eating is different from drinking — even after saying 'hav lan v'nvarekh' and even after the table w…

Is women's obligation in Birkat HaMazon from Torah or Rabbinical law?

Women's obligation is d'Oraita (Torah)

When do diners who did not all begin eating together still combine for zimun?

The zimun obligation arises only when all three diners began eating together from the start; if a th…

From what day after the molad may Kiddush Levana first be recited?

One may bless after 2 or 3 days, once the moonlight is sweet and beneficial.

Should one answer Kaddish loudly?

One should answer Kaddish with a loud voice, but not yell excessively to invite mockery.

May one recite Shema while lying flat on one's back (p'rakdan) or face-down?

Lying on one's side is only permitted when one is already lying down and it would be burdensome to g…

If one was reciting Shema and noticed excrement in front of them beyond 4 amot, where must they move and where do they resume?

If one was in a location where one should have been attentive to the possible presence of excrement,…

Is it forbidden to spit during the Amidah prayer?

Behind is preferred; if impossible, to the left is permitted. Not to the right and certainly not in …