The Chachamim<\/i> instituted the recital of many blessings immediately upon awakening in the morning. The purpose of these blessings is to thank Hashem for the good that He bestows upon us every day. Hence, the Talmud (Berachot<\/i> 60b) teaches that when a person wakes up, he must thank Hashem and say, \u201cMy God, the soul which you have placed within me is pure\u2026 Blessed are You Hashem who restores souls to dead bodies\u201d (Elokai Neshamah<\/i>). When he hears the sound of the rooster, announcing the arrival of a new day, he must say, \u201cBlessed are You Hashem, our God, King of the universe, who gives the rooster understanding to distinguish between day and night\u201d (Hanoten lasechvi vinah<\/i>). Upon opening his eyes, he recites, \u201c\u2026Who gives sight to the blind\u201d (Poke\u2019ach ivrim<\/i>). When one stretches his limbs and sits on his bed, after being held captive in the shackles of sleep, he recites, \u201c\u2026Who releases the imprisoned\u201d (Matir assurim<\/i>). When he dresses, he recites, \u201c\u2026Who clothes the naked\u201d (Malbish arumim<\/i>). When one stands on his legs, he recites, \u201c\u2026Who straightens the bent\u201d (Zokef kefufim<\/i>), and when placing his feet on the ground, he recites, \u201c\u2026Who spreads the earth upon the waters\u201d (Roka ha\u2019aretz al hamayim<\/i>). When one puts on his shoes, he recites, \u201c\u2026Who has provided me with all my needs\u201d (She\u2019asah li kol tzorki<\/i>). As he begins to walk, he recites, \u201c\u2026Who prepares people\u2019s footsteps\u201d (Hamechin mitzadei gaver<\/i>). When he fastens his belt, he recites, \u201c\u2026Who girds Israel with strength\u201d (Ozer Yisrael bigevurah<\/i>). When he puts on a head covering, be it a hat or a kippah<\/i>, he recites, \u201c\u2026Who crowns Israel with glory\u201d (Oter Yisrael b\u2019tifarah<\/i>). When he washes his hands, he recites, \u201c\u2026Concerning the washing of hands\u201d (Al netilat yadayim<\/i>). When washing his face, he recites, \u201c\u2026Who removes sleep from my eyes\u201d (Hama\u2019avir chevlei sheinah me\u2019einai<\/i>), etc. The Chachamim<\/i> also instituted three special berachot<\/i> of thanks which express gratitude to Hashem for choosing us and giving us His mitzvot. <\/i>They are: \u201c\u2026For not having made me a gentile\u201d (Shelo asani goy<\/i>), \u201c\u2026For not having made me a slave\u201d (Shelo asani aved<\/i>) and \u201c\u2026For not having made me a woman\u201d (Shelo asani ishah<\/i>) Women recite, \u201c\u2026For having made me according to His will\u201d (She\u2019asani kirtzono<\/i>).<\/p>\n
Life\u2019s routine generally wears away our attention from all the good that Hashem showers upon us. As a consequence of this ungratefulness, the daily blessing that HaKadosh Baruch Hu<\/i> grants a person fails to delight him, and his life becomes dull and empty. In order to emerge from this desolation, he seeks out various pleasures. Hence, the Chachamim<\/i> instituted Birkot HaShachar<\/i> so that we will not be ungrateful.<\/i> With these blessings we thank our Creator for all things, big and small, that help us function in this world. Out of this thankfulness to Hashem, we are privileged to observe the world with a rich and comprehensive outlook. We learn that every single element in our lives has Godly value, arousing our desire to add goodness to the world with every new day that God gives us.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Chachamim instituted the recital of many blessings immediately upon awakening in the morning. The purpose of these blessings is to thank Hashem for the good that He bestows upon us every day. Hence, the Talmud (Berachot 60b) teaches that when a person wakes up, he must thank Hashem and say, \u201cMy God, the soul […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6128","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-09-birkot-hashachar-the-morning-blessings"],"yoast_head":"\n