...Continued from previous week
1) One who is already wearing Tefilin before he recites the Birchos Hashachar (as was the Minhag of many tzadikim), 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)
2) There is, however, no obligation to don Tefilin before Birchas HaShachar.
3) 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 (Minchas Shlomo; Tefilah, Perek 22:25) and Rav Shmuel Wosner (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 )
4) 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)
5) Every morning, before Shacharis, we say the Shevach, praise, of "Adon Olam Asher Malach..." [Master of the world, who reigned before anything was ever created...].
The Tefilah of Shacharis was instituted by our patriarch Avraham Avinu, who was the first person to refer to Hashem as "Adon" [Master of the world], thus it is appropriate to praise Hashem in the morning with the title "Adon".
The Elya Rabbah (Siman 46:15) quotes earlier Poskim who say that one who concentrates on the [meaning of the opening] words of Adon Olam while reciting it will merit having his/her prayers answered, and the Satan will not get in the way of having his prayers go up directly to heaven.
6) It is praiseworthy to recite the Parsha of the Akeidas Yitzchak daily [before reciting the Parsha of Karbanos], as to invoke the merit of our forefathers each day before we begin to pray.(Shulchan Aruch Siman 1:5)
It is also advisable to say the Parsha of the Mann [that fell in the desert], to strengthen our belief that each person's daily sustenance comes directly from Hashem with Hashgacha Pratis (divine providence).
In fact, Chazal say that one who reads this Parsha [of the Mann] daily, is guaranteed that his daily bread (i.e. sustenance) will not be lacking. (See Mishna Berura Siman 1 S"K 13)
The Seforim bring in the name of Rabeinu Tam to say the Pesukim of the Parsha of the Mann Twice followed by the Targum once, as doing so is extremely Mesugal (beneficial) for Parnassah. (See Sefer Noheg K'Tzon Yosef (Rebbi of the Kav HaYashar) Siman 34 who quotes the Sefer HaYashar of Rabbeinu Tam. See also Mekor Chaim Siman 1:5 )
The prevalent Minhag for those who recite the Parshas Haman is to do so after the completion of Shacharis, and not before davening. (Most Siddurim nowadays have it printed at the end of davening as well)
...To be continued next week B’Ezras Hashem
