Daily Halachah: Modim, Kaddish, and the Seven Noahide Laws

Each day brings new opportunities to strengthen our connection to Hashem through learning and applying practical halachah. The following daily halachot are adapted from the sefer Halacha Lemaaseh by Rabbi Yaron Ashkenazi, may he live and be well, based on the rulings of Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef zt"l.

If Someone Repeats Modim, Must They Bow Again?

Question: If a person said the Modim blessing in the Shemoneh Esrei without proper concentration and returned to the beginning of the blessing to repeat it, must they bow again when saying the words "Modim anachnu lach"?

Answer: Yes. Since they are repeating the blessing from the beginning, they must bow again when reciting "Modim anachnu lach."

What May Be Answered Before the Second Yihyu L'ratzon?

Question: If someone is at the end of the Shemoneh Esrei, before saying the second "Yihyu l'ratzon," which responses may they answer together with the congregation?

Answer: They may answer:

• The first five amens of Kaddish
• "Amen yehei shmei rabbah" up to the word "yitbarach"
• "Kadosh" and "Baruch" during Kedushah
• "Baruch Hashem hamevorach l'olam va'ed"

However, they should not answer:

• "Yimloch" during Kedushah
• Other amens recited in response to blessings, whether blessings over mitzvot or blessings over food and other forms of enjoyment

Today's Jewish Concept: The Seven Noahide Commandments

The Seven Noahide Commandments are the fundamental mitzvot that, according to the teachings of Chazal, apply to all humanity. While the Jewish people were commanded to observe the 613 mitzvot of the Torah, non Jews are obligated in seven foundational commandments.

These are:

1. Establishing courts of justice
2. Prohibition of blasphemy
3. Prohibition of idol worship
4. Prohibition of forbidden sexual relationships
5. Prohibition of murder
6. Prohibition of theft
7. Prohibition of eating a limb taken from a living animal

These commandments are discussed in Masechet Sanhedrin and serve as the basis for a moral and ethical society.