QUESTION:���I know that according to many�poskim�the�brachos�of�Elokai Neshama�and�Hamaavir Sheina�are not recited in the morning if one did not sleep. How long must a person sleep at night to justify reciting the�brachos?

ANSWER:�The Mishnah Berurah (46:24) quotes the Chayei Adam (7:8) that if one slept at night for a duration of sixty breaths, he may recite the�brachos�of�Elokai Neshama�and�Hamaavir Sheina�in the morning.

How long is a duration of sixty breaths? The Chayei Adam writes that it is the length of time it takes to walk 100�amos. Since it takes 18 minutes to walk 2,000�amos, 100�amos�would take slightly less than a minute. The themes of these�brachos�are emotions of�hakaras hatov�for the�neshama�s return after temporarily departing while we sleep. The Chayei Adam explains that even during a very short sleep there is �a taste of death�, and the�brachos�are warranted.

However, the Mishnah Berurah elsewhere (Beiur Halachah 14, s.v. Dovid) quotes three different opinions about the time length of sixty breaths: three hours, thirty minutes, and three minutes. Many�poskim�write that regarding these two�brachos�thirty minutes is required (Dirshu M.B. footnote 30). The Elya Rabba writes that even if one dozed off for this duration at a table, he may recite these�brachos.

If one did not sleep at all, some�poskim�allow the recitation of these�brachos�(Oruch Hashulchan 46:13 and Yechaveh Da�as 3:33). However, the Mishna Berura recommends listening to someone else (such as one�s wife) recite these�brachos and answering Amen.If there is no one available to recite these�brachos, he can fulfill the�bracha�of�Elokai Neshama�with the second�bracha�of�Shemoneh Esrei, provided one has in mind to be�yotzei�in this manner (MB 6:12).

Alternatively,�sefer�Even Yisroel (9:63) writes that if a person sleeps in the morning for more than 30 minutes before�Chatzos�(halachic midday), the�bracha�can be recited when waking up.