Birchot HaShachar: Difference between revisions
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==What Is the Nature of Birchot HaShachar?== | ==What Is the Nature of Birchot HaShachar?== | ||
<p class="indent">There is a famous discussion about Birchot 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 Pokeach 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 class="indent">There is a famous discussion about Birchot 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 Pokeach 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 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 was not obligated in a specific bracha, such as if one did not hear the rooster that morning. The Ramban Pesachim 7b s.v. VeHa, on the other hand, argues that Birchot HaShachar are | <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 was not obligated in a specific bracha, such as if one did not hear the rooster that morning. The Ramban Pesachim 7b s.v. VeHa, on the other hand, argues that Birchot HaShachar are unequivocal obligations 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 did not benefit from the occurrences that the [[brachot]] relate to. </p> | ||
<p class="indent">The Shulchan Aruch<ref>Shulchan Aruch 46:8</ref> rules like the Rambam, while the Rama accepts the opinion of the Ramban. | <p class="indent">The Shulchan Aruch<ref>Shulchan Aruch 46:8</ref> rules like the Rambam, that one only recites the Berachot if he experiences the described phenomena, while the Rama accepts the opinion of the Ramban, who rules the Berachot were instituted for the nature's routine. Nevertheless, even Sephardim follow the latter opinion on this matter and recite all the Berachot daily, due the pre-existing Minhag described by the Rambam and the Arizal's insistence on it, as well.<Ref>Yabia Omer 2:25:13. The Magen Avraham 46:14 ponders whether a blind person could recite Pokeach Ivrim or a deaf person recite HaNoten LaSechvi. He concludes (following the girsa of Rabbi Akiva Eiger and Pri Megadim) that a blind person may recite Pokeach Ivrim since they benefit from people who can see and are able to guide them; a deaf person though, may not recite HaNoten LaSechvi. Considering that the Magen Avraham is following the Rama, why would a deaf person not be able to recite the bracha which is meant to be a praise for the nature of the world? 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. It is possible to suggest that the Magen Avraham understood that even if the Birchot 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. This logic is drawn out from the language of the Hagahot Maimoniyot cited by the Magen Avraham.</ref> </p> | ||
==When to Recite Birchot HaShachar== | ==When to Recite Birchot HaShachar== | ||
