Daily Halacha

The Weekly Halachic Analysis

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Summary of the Daily Halacha's

1. There is an apparent contradiction. On one hand we are told that Hashem owns the world, as the Passuk states, "לה' הארץ ומלואה" To Hashem belongs the earth and all that is in it (Tehillim 24:1), and at the same time we are told that the earth was given to us: "השמים שמים לה' והארץ נתן לבני אדם" The heaven belongs to Hashem but the earth He has given to mankind. Chazal reconcile this; indeed, everything belongs to Hashem, but once a person recites a blessing, he acquires ownership. Chazal therefore instituted a series of blessing to be recited every morning, each blessing corresponding to another of the various benefits and pleasures that one is granted in this world.
2. Many poskim rule that while reciting ברכות השחר, the morning Berachos, and while reciting blessing of praise or thanks, one does not need to stand. Others recommend standing. Some say that this only applies if it will not detract from one's concentration.
3. In Talmudic times each of the morning blessings was recited at the moment the particular benefit for which it was composed occurred: One would open his eyes and recite the blessing פוקח עורים; when one would sit up he would say, מתיר אסורים; etc. Nowadays, because of a concern of unclean hands when reciting the blessings, as well as the prevalence of those without sufficient knowledge of Halacha, we recite all the Berachos at one time, after preparing oneself for Teffilah.
4. In the second to fourth Berachos of Bircas Hashachar, we thank Hashem for not making us a gentile who isn't obligated in any mitzvos, nor a slave who is limited in the Mitzvos he performs, nor a woman who is not as obligated as men in certain Mitzvos. Thus we are expressing pride for all the mitzvos we perform. At this time, women also affirm their unique status in Judaism and recite SheAsani Kirsono.