Asher Yatzer

From Halachipedia

When to Recite it

  1. Any time one goes to the bathroom (urinating or moving one's bowels) one is obligated to say the bracha of Asher Yatzer. [1]
  2. Even if the smallest amount comes out, asher yatzar should be recited. [2]
  3. One should say asher yatzar immediately after using the bathroom. [3] However, if one didn't say it immediately, many authorities hold that one can still say it for 72 minutes after going to the bathroom. [4] Yet, other authorities say that one should not say past 30 minutes after going to the bathroom.[5]
  4. If one used the bathroom and forgot to say asher yatzar and then used the bathroom again, only one beracha should be recited to cover both uses. [6]
  5. A person who still feels an urge to go to the bathroom again immediately after using the bathroom (diarrhea), should only say asher yatzar when he feels like he has cleared his bowels. [7]
  6. Women are obligated to say Asher Yatzar as well. [8]
  7. If a person is unsure whether he recited asher yatzar or not, he should not recite it. [9]

Asher Yatzer as part of Birchot HaShachar

  1. In the morning, one who goes to the bathroom should make the Bracha of Asher Yatzer. If one slept (more than 30 minutes) then, according to Ashkenazim, one should make the Bracha of Asher Yatzer even if one didn’t go to the bathroom. [10] However, according to Sephardim, one shouldn't say Asher Yatzer unless one went to the bathroom.[11]
  2. If one woke in the middle of the night, one should make Asher Yatzer then and another Asher Yatzer in the morning. [12]

References

  1. S”A 7:1 writes that anytime that one goes to the bathroom one is obligated to say Asher Yatzer.
  2. S"A 7:4
  3. Mishna Berura 7:6.
  4. Halacha Berura 7:5 writes that one has up to 72 minutes after having used the bathroom. Sh"t Yechave Daat 4:5 says that if you only remembered after 72 minutes to say the beracha without shem u'malchut.
  5. Rivevot Efraim 8:2 writes that he originally ruled like Rav Ovadyah wrote in Yachave Daat (see previous note) that one may say it up until 72 minutes, however, after seeing many others who argued he said that one should be concerned for the opinion that says that one should not say it past 30 minutes after going to the bathroom. See also Rav Ovadyah in Yabea Omer 9:3 in his response to the author of the Revivot Efraim on this issue. See also Ben Ish Chai (Vayetze #12) who writes that one shouldn't say Asher Yatzer after 30 minutes after going to the bathroom.
  6. Kaf Hachayim 7:5. S"A 7:3 says that asher yatzar should be recited twice, Mishna Berura 7:6 quotes both possibilities and concludes that safek brachot lihakel.
  7. Mishna Berura 7:2, Kaf Hachayim 7:2
  8. Ben Ish Chai Vayetze Halacha 15
  9. Birkei Yosef 7:3
  10. Rama 4:1 writes that one should make Asher Yatzer even if one didn’t go to the bathroom. Mishna Brurah 4:3 comments that this is only true if one slept at night.
  11. Kaf HaChaim 4:9
  12. Mishna Brurah 4:3 writes that it’s preferable to make Asher Yatzer after one goes to the bathroom and not to push it off until Davening, because it’s likely one will one go again and then not have made a Asher Yatzer for the first time.