*****Monday’s D’var Torah*********
Birchos Ha-shachar-The Nature of These Berakhot:
by:Rav David Brofsky
The gemara (Berakhot 35a) teaches that it is prohibited to benefit from this world without first reciting a bracha. In fact, the gemara equates such behavior with me’ila (inappropriate use of items dedicated to a shul). This comparison is generally applied to the bracha made before eating and drinking. The Mishna Berura explains that this is also the rationale behind the establishment of birchos ha-shachar, in that one should recite a bracha upon every aspect of the natural order from which one benefits.
The Rishonim, however, raise a fascinating question. There are three broad categories of brachos: birchos ha-mitzva (recited before the performance of a mitzva), birchos ha-nehenin (recited before eating, drinking or smelling fragrances) and birchos ha-shevach (recited upon seeing or hearing something which warrants praise and gratitude).
Clearly, the birchos ha-shachar are a type of birchos ha-shevach. However, there may be different types of birchos ha-shevach. Most birchos ha-shevach are recited only after one has actually experienced the phenomenon upon which the bracha is recited. Therefore, only one who eats bread recites birchos ha-mazon, only one who hears thunder recites “she-kocho u-gevurato malei olam,” and only one who sees a spectacular mountain or sea recites “oseh ma’aseh bereshis”. On the other hand, is it possible that there are some birchos ha-shevach that one recites upon the mere existence of this natural occurrence, even if one has not actually experienced it oneself?
The Rambam writes that one should only recite these brachos as one performs the associated actions. For instance, as one fastens one’s belt one recites “ozer Yisrael bi-gevura,” and as one puts on one’s shoes one recites “she-asa li kol tzorki”. Furthermore, one who does not experience one of these occurrences, such as a person who does not hear the rooster crowing, should not recite the corresponding bracha!
Others disagree, claiming that these brachos refer broadly to the natural order created by Hashem and one must recite these brachos whether or not one actually benefits from or experiences the specific phenomenon.
While Rav Yosef Karo(Shulchan Aruch)rules that one who does not benefit from the theme of a specific bracha should recite an abridged bracha(without mentioning Hashem’s name), the Rema rules that common practice is to recite all of these brachos, regardless of one’s personal experience. (Sefaradim also follow this practice, as it was endorsed by the Ari z”l.)