One of the morning blessings that we say is “Shelo Asani Goy - that He did not make me a gentile,” in which we thank G-d that we are part of the chosen people. It would seem that a convert should not recite this blessing since he or she was, in fact, created a gentile. Indeed, the Rama rules (O.C. 46:4 in the name of the Avudraham) that “he [a convert] should not say ‘who did not make me a gentile,’ for, behold, he was a gentile previously.” The poskim (halachic authorities) have differing opinions as to what a convert should do about this blessing.
No Blessing
Some say he should skip this blessing (Bach, Shela, and Pri Chadash).
Who Has Made Me a Convert?
Some say that a convert should say “She’asani Ger - who has made me a convert” (Darkei Moshe). Others question this wording since G-d did not make the person a convert, rather they converted of their own volition (Magen Avraham). In defense of those who recommend this wording, it can be understood to mean that the convert is thanking G-d for His assistance in enabling him to be “reborn” as a convert (Taz 46:5 and Shulchan Aruch HaRav 46:4).
Who Has Brought me Under the Wings of the Shechinah
Some say he should say “She’hichnisuni tachat Kanfei HaShechinah - Who has brought me under the Wings of the Shechinah (Shiyurei Knesset HaGedolah, quoted in Ba’er Heitev 4 on O.C. ibid).
Who Did Not Make me a Gentile?
According to the Kabbalists, a convert should say the same blessing as a born Jew: “Shelo Asani Goy, that He did not make me a gentile,” since the blessing is thanking G-d for giving us back our G-dly soul every morning(Magen Avraham 46:10). In addition, according to the Kabbalists, every sincere convert is born with a spark of a Jewish soul which (subconsciously) inspires them to convert. As such, this blessing is thanking G-d that they were born with that soul rather than the soul of an ordinary gentile who does not have that spark (Hagahot Nezirut Simshon on the Taz).
In terms of actual practice, some recommend that a convert say the blessing of Shelo Asani Goy but should not utter G-d’s name when doing so, i.e., they should say Baruch Shelo Asani Goy (Kaf HaChaim 46:36). Others say that one can rely on the opinion of the Kabbalists and say Shelo Asani Goy with G-d’s name (Piskei Teshuvot 46:11).
One whose mother converted while he was in utero may certainly say Shelo Asani Goy (Piskei Teshuvot note 142 based on Pri Chadash).
