Birchot HaShachar: Difference between revisions

<p style="text-indent: 2em">There is a famous discussion about Birkhot HaShachar based off the Gemara [[Brachot]] 60b. The Gemara says that when you hear a rooster, you should recite the Bracha of Leshechvi Binah, when you open your eyes, you say Poke'ach Ivriyim, when you sit up you say Matir Asurim, etc. The Gemara explains that each bracha corresponds to a specific action or occurrence in the morning routine. The question becomes whether you say these [[brachot]] only if the corresponding situation relates to you or are they general [[brachot]] that everyone should say.</p>

<p style="text-indent: 2em">The Rambam (Hilchot [[Tefillah]] 7:7-9) says that they are subjective and should only be said if the corresponding occurrence is relevant to you. He notes, however, that the minhag was to say the [[brachot]] in shul even if one wasn't obligated in a specific bracha, such as if one didn't hear the rooster that morning. The Ramban Pesachim 7b s.v. VeHa, on the other hand, argues that Birkhot HaShachar are objective and are meant to be a praise for the regular nature of the world. Therefore, everyone should say all of the [[brachot]] even if one didn't benefit from the occurrences that the [[brachot]] relate to. </p>

<p style="text-indent: 2em">The Shulchan Aruch<ref>S"A 46:8</ref> rules like the Rambam, while the Rama accepts the opinion of the Ramban. Interestingly, the minhag of Sephardim follows the Rama.<ref>Yabia Omer 2:25:13</ref>The Magen Avraham 46:14 ponders whether a blind person could recite Poke'ach Ivrim or a deaf person recite HaNoten LaSechvi. He concludes<ref>Following the girsa of Rabbi Akiva Eiger and Pri Megadim</ref> that a blind person may recite Poke'ach Ivrim since he benefits from people who can see and guide him; a deaf person, though may not recite HaNoten LaSechvi. Considering that the Magen Avraham is following the Rama, why wouldn't a deaf person be able to recite the bracha which is meant to be a praise for the nature of the world?<ref>Indeed, the Pri [[Chadash]] 46:8 takes for granted that a deaf person could recite HaNoten LeSechvi according to the Rama. This is also the ruling of the Derech HaChaim 6:2 and Mishna Brurah 46:25, though he also cites a dissenting opinion. </ref> It is possible to suggest that the Magen Avraham understood that even if the Birkhot HaShachar are a praise to Hashem for the nature of the world, it can only be said by someone who could have potentially experienced that benefit and is at least minimally relates to the occurrence for which the bracha was established.<ref>This logic is drawn out from the language of the Hagahot Maimoniyot cited by the Magen Avraham.</ref> </p>

<p style="text-indent: 2em">If one forgot to say Birkot HaShachar before [[davening]], can one say them afterwards? The Rama 52:1 writes that if a person came late and didn’t get a chance to say Birkot HaShachar before [[davening]], he should say them afterwards.<ref>One major exception is Birkot HaTorah, which according to many poskim, one fulfills with Ahava Rabba in the Ashkenazic minhag and Ahavat Olam in the Sephardic minhag. See S”A 47:8 for the full discussion.</ref> The Pri [[Chadash]], however, argues that Elokai Nishama is an exception. He reasons that one already fulfilled one’s obligation of Elokai Nishama with the bracha of Mechayeh HaMeytim in Shemona Esrei, since both of them praise Hashem for reviving the dead.<ref>In fact, he explains a vague Yerushalmi [[Brachot]] (Perek 4, Halacha 2) as stating that the conclusion of Elokai Nishama was Mechayeh HaMeytim. The Pri Megadim M”Z 52:1 writes that the S”A and Rama seem to disagree with the Pri [[Chadash]].</ref></p>

<p style="text-indent: 2em">The Maamar Mordechai 52:4, however, rejects the Pri [[Chadash]] on the grounds that Elokai Nishama is unrelated to Mechayeh HaMeytim. Elokai Nishama is a praise for Hashem returning one’s soul rejuvenated each day, while Mechayeh HaMeytim is an affirmation of the fact that in the future Hashem will bring the dead back to life. Nonetheless, in order to avoid any question one should make sure to say it before Shemona Esrei even if one is late.<ref>Many poskim side with the Pri [[Chadash]] including the Chaye Adam 8:8, Kitzur S”A 7:6, Derech HaChaim 33:2, Kaf HaChaim 52:5, and Yabia Omer O.C. 4:7:5. Most interestingly, even though the Maamar Mordechai writes that there’s no doubt in his mind that the Pri [[Chadash]] is incorrect, he concludes that once was unable to say Elokai Neshama before Shemona Esrei and he decided to follow the Pri [[Chadash]].</ref> After the fact, if one didn’t say it before [[davening]], there is what to rely upon to say it afterwards, but many poskim side with the Pri [[Chadash]], who holds that one should not say it.<ref>Beiur Halacha 52:1 s.v. VeMekol Makom cites many poskim including the Rama, Gra, Shaarei [[Teshuva]], Pri Megadim, and Maamar Mordechai who disagree with the Pri [[Chadash]], but also a number of poskim who quote the Pri [[Chadash]]. He concludes that there is what to rely on to follow either approach.</ref></p>

<p style="text-indent: 2em">The Avudraham<ref>Cited by the Beit Yosef 46:4</ref> writes that a ger may not recite shelo asani goy since this bracha is thanking Hashem for how we were created. The Shaarei Knesset HaGedola<ref>Cited by the Kaf Hachaim 46:36</ref> argued that a ger can recite shelo asani goy because the intent is to praise Hashem for not creating him to remain as a non-Jew.<ref>Magen Avraham 46:10 says that according to the Mekubalim a ger can recite Shelo Asani Goy because the beracha is recited on the way that one’s Neshama will be taken from the world. Piskei Teshuvot 46:11 says one has on whom to rely if one wants to recite Shelo Asani Goy.</ref></p>

<p style="text-indent: 2em">The Rama writes that the ger can recite a different beracha, sheasani ger.<ref>Darkei Moshe 46:3. He codifies this in his comments to S”A (Rama 46:4).</ref> On the other hand, the Bach<Ref>Bach 46 s.v. VeYesh Od</ref> claims that he can’t recite sheasani yehudi because he only became a Jew through his own decision to convert. The Taz 46:5 defends the Rama saying that since a ger is like a newborn baby (Yevamot 23a) he can recite Sheasani Ger, because it is as if he was created as a ger. The Magen Avraham adds that everyone agrees that a ger can recite Shelo Asani Aved and Shelo Asani Isha.<ref>He explains that since it was up to his decision whether to convert or not, he can thank Hashem for being created a free male, who has the potential to be chayav in mitvzot. Aruch Hashulchan 46:10, Yalkut Yosef 46:21, and Kaf Hachaim 46:36 concur that a ger should only recite Shelo Asani Aved and Shelo Asani Isha.</ref></p>