...Continued from previous week
1) Birchas HaShachar may be recited while sitting. (See Shu"t Yaskil Avdi Vol. 8 Siman 3)
The Siddur Yaa'vetz (before the morning Bracha of Al Netilas Yadyim) writes that the custom is to stand by all Brachos of Shevach V'Hoda'ah, and this seems to be the prevalent Minhag amongst Ashkenazic Jews.
2) Women are obligated in all the Brachos of Birchas HaShachar. (See Aruch Hashulchan Siman 70:1 and Mishna Berura Siman 70 S" K 2)
The only difference is that women should recite "SheAsani K'Retzono - Hashem created me according to His will" instead of "SheLo Asani Isha- Hashem did not create me as a woman (who is obligated in fewer Mitzvos than a man)", as men say. (Shulchan Aruch Siman 46:4)
The Chida (in Avodas Hakodesh) and The Yaa'vetz (in his siddur) bring a Sephardic custom for women to say "Shelo Asani Goya" rather than the masculine "goy" and "Shelo Asani Shifcha" (female maidservant) rather than "Eved" (male slave). (This was the minhag of Rebbetzin Batsheva Kanievsky A"H, wife of Rav Chaim Kanievsky Zatzal, who recited this Nusach each morning, in the presence of her saintly husband, who answered Amen to her brachos.)
However, most Poskim say that this change should not be made and women should say the same nusach as men as the collective goy includes women as does the collective Eved. (See Aishel Avraham, Butchatch Siman 46:4)
3) One who is already wearing Tefilin before he recites the Birchos Hashachar (as was the Minhag of the Belz Rebbe MaHaraSH Zt"l and many other Chasidic Rebbes), should touch his Tefilin Shel Rosh upon reciting the Bracha "Oter Yisrael B'SifArah- Hashem crowns Jews with his glory". (See Mishna berura Siman 25 S"K 13)
4) There is, however, no obligation to don Tefilin before Birchas HaShachar.
5) Every Jewish male has an obligation to recite [at least] 100 Brachos every single day. (Shulchn Aruch Siman 46:3. See Mishna Berura S"K 14 where he enumerates the 100 brachos that are recited on a usual day)
Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal (Minchas Shlomo; Tefilah, Perek 22:25) and Rav Shmuel Wosner Zatzal (Shu"t Shevet haleivi Vol. 5 Siman 23), and others maintain that women and children are not obligated in this requirement, but do get reward if they try and fulfill this obligation.
It is best to recite Birchos Hashachar (and all Brachos) by yourself rather than hear them from someone else (As Shomea K’Oneh, may only work B'Dochek, if at all, for the obligation of 100 Brachos. See Emek Bracha, Krias Hatorah Siman 1)
On Shabbos it is more difficult to satisfy the obligation of making 100 blessings, as Shemona Esrei has fewer Brachos, and most likely one will be 13-20 Brachos shy of the 100.
Therefore one should try and add as many Brachos as possible to his routine on Shabbos (e.g. eat more fruits, Birchas Hagafen on a glass of wine etc.) in order to reach the requisite 100 Brachos. (See Mishna Berura ibid. See also Mishna Berura Siman 6222 S"K 5 that the recital of "Ein Keilokeinu" can also count toward the 100 brachos. Note that the stanzas of Ein Keilokeino (acrostically) Ain... Mi... Nodeh... spell out AMEN and are followed by stanzas beginning with BARUCH and ATA... alluding to them being akin to Brachos )
6) One who does not know how to recite Birchos HaShachar (or any Bracha for that matter) on his/her own, may listen to someone else recite them [and answer Amen] and thus satisfy the obligation. (See Mishna Berura Siman 46 S"K 13)
...To be continued next week B’Ezras Hashem
