Tefilah and Birkat Kohanim – Chapter 7: Daily Blessings, Morning Practices, and the Order of Prayer
Halachah 1 — Blessings Before Sleep
The Sages instituted a special blessing before sleep, asking God to bring sleep peacefully, protect from harm and evil thoughts, and awaken the person to life and peace. This blessing concludes with praise to God who illuminates the world.
Halachah 2 — Shema Before Sleep
Before sleeping, one recites the first paragraph of Kri’at Shema, even if his wife is sleeping with him.
If sleep overtakes him, he should at least recite the first verse of Shema or verses of mercy before sleeping.
Halachah 3 — The Morning Soul‑Restoration Blessing
Upon awakening, while still in bed, one recites a blessing thanking God for returning the soul and acknowledging that the soul belongs to God and will ultimately be restored in the future.
Halachah 4 — Morning Blessings Over Daily Functions
Blessings are recited throughout the morning for natural experiences and bodily functions, including:
- hearing the rooster,
- dressing,
- placing a covering on one’s head,
- seeing,
- sitting up,
- standing,
- touching the ground,
- straightening the body,
- washing the hands,
- and washing the face.
Each blessing is recited at the moment the act occurs.
Halachah 5 — Blessings for Bodily Functions
Upon entering the bathroom, one addresses the angelic attendants respectfully.
After relieving oneself, one recites Asher Yatzar, thanking God for the wisdom of the human body and its functioning.
Halachah 6 — Blessings on Daily Movement
Blessings are recited for:
- fastening a belt,
- putting on shoes,
- and walking.
Additionally, daily blessings are recited thanking God for one’s Jewish identity and status, acknowledging divine purpose.
Halachah 7 — Order and Obligation of Morning Blessings
The eighteen daily blessings have no fixed order.
Each blessing is recited only when its condition is met, and not simply in sequence.
Halachah 8 — When Blessings Are Omitted
If a person did not experience the action (e.g., did not dress, did not use the bathroom, did not wear shoes), he may not recite the corresponding blessing.
This applies on fast days, Yom Kippur, and in all similar cases.
Halachah 9 — Incorrect Communal Practice
It is incorrect to recite all morning blessings communally in the synagogue when one is not personally obligated in them.
A blessing may only be recited when one is personally obligated.
Halachah 10 — Blessings Before Torah Study
Before studying Torah—even before Kri’at Shema—one must:
- wash his hands,
- recite the three blessings of Torah,
- and then study.
Halachah 11 — Daily Obligation of Torah Blessings
The blessings over Torah are recited every day.
To fulfill this obligation, a passage of Torah is read afterward, commonly the Priestly Blessing, sacrificial passages, Mishnah, or Beraita.
Halachah 12 — Daily Psalms of Praise
The Sages praised those who recite Psalms daily, especially Tehillah l’David (Ashrei) through the end of Tehillim.
Blessings before (Baruch She’amar) and after (Yishtabach) were instituted.
Halachah 13 — Song of the Sea and Other Customs
Some communities recite:
- the Song of the Sea daily,
- others recite Ha’azinu,
- some recite both.
All such practices depend on local custom.
Halachah 14 — Obligation of One Hundred Blessings
A person must recite one hundred blessings each day.
These include:
- daily blessings,
- Shema blessings (morning and night),
- Amidah prayers,
- blessings over food,
- blessings over mitzvot.
Halachah 15 — Completing One Hundred Blessings
Since later blessings were added and some are omitted on Sabbaths and festivals, a person may need to add blessings over fruit or food to reach the count of one hundred.
Halachah 16 — Practical Completion of Blessings
By eating small quantities of foods requiring different blessings, one can complete the daily requirement of one hundred blessings.
Halachah 17 — Order of the Morning Prayer
The morning prayer proceeds as follows:
- Morning blessings
- Psalms of praise
- Blessings and recitation of Shema
- Immediate transition to the Amidah
- Supplication prayers
- Ashrei
- Departure to daily affairs
An individual omits Kedushah at this stage.
Halachah 18 — Minchah and Evening Prayer Order
Minchah begins with Ashrei, followed by the Amidah and supplication.
Ma’ariv consists of Shema with its blessings followed by the Amidah.
Supplicatory prayers after Ma’ariv are praiseworthy.
Although Hashkiveinu follows redemption, it is not considered an interruption.
