Praying With Passion

Birchot HaTorah (1) cont.

Halacha: If one remembered during Pesukei D’Zimra that he did not recite Birchot HaTorah, he should say them and the verses following them. If he remembered during the Birchot Kri’at Sh’ma, he should explicitly have in mind when saying Ahava Raba (or Ahavat Olam, depending on Nusach) that he wishes to discharge his obligation of saying Birchot HaTorah. In addition, he must learn some Torah immediately after Shacharit. If he remembered after Ahava Raba, he does not recite the blessings.

Q&A:  Sometimes I get up early in the morning and recite T’hilim before Shacharit. Should I say Birchot HaTorah before I say T’hilim?
Birchot HaTorah are required before learning Tanach, Mishna, Gemara, Halacha, and Mussar. Because T’hilim is considered Torah, Birchot HaTorah should be recited first. Nowadays it is customary to say Birchot HaTorah immediately after the blessing Asher Yatzar (and Elokai, Neshama) in order not to say any Scriptural verses - even supplications - before Birchot HaTorah. Accordingly, on the days when one says Selichot, one should recite Birchot HaTorah beforehand (Mishneh B’rurah 46:27).

TT editor’s 2cents   How many brachot?
Above is the first of the two Birchot HaTorah (we’ll present Praying with Passion on the other bracha IY"H next week). Or it might be the first two of the three Birchot HaTorah. The majority opinion seems to be that above is one long bracha - which means that we do not answer AMEIN after LAASOK B’DIVREI TORAH, but only after HA- M’LAMEID TORAH L’AMO YISRAEL.

• Other Praying With Passion
• Birchot HaShachar (part Six)
• Birchot HaShachar (part five)
• Birchot HaShachar (part four)