Birchot HaShachar: Difference between revisions

# In three of the [[Birkhot HaShachar]], we thank Hashem for not making us a non-Jew, who isn't obligated in any mitzvot or a slave who is limited in the mitzvot he is obligated in. Men also recite a bracha thanking Hashem for not being created a woman who is not as obligated as men in certain mitzvot. At this time, women also affirm their unique status in Judaism and recite SheAsani Kirsono.<ref>Tur and S"A 46:4</ref>

# If one slept fully dressed in the clothing he will wear the next day, the blessing מלביש ערמים, Who clothes the naked, does not apply to him when he awakens; nevertheless, he should still recite that blessing. This is because the blessing were not enacted for a particular person, but for the general community to acknowledge that Hashem provides humanity's needs. Similarly, a blind person must recite the blessing פוקח עורים, Who opens (the eyes of) the blind. <Ref>Mishna Brurah 46:25</ref>

==What is The Nature of Birkat HaShachar?==

<p class="indent">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 class="indent">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>

==What's the nature of Elokai Neshama?==

<p class="indent">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>