Two Halachot a Day: Morning Blessings and the Power of a Mother's Prayer

Two daily halachot from the book BeHalacha U'VeAggadah, based on the rulings of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, of blessed memory.

What Should You Do if You Recite the Morning Blessings in the Wrong Order?

If someone mistakenly recites the morning blessings (Birkot HaShachar) out of order, the blessings remain valid. They should simply return to the blessing they skipped and recite it. For example, if someone accidentally skips Hanoten LaSechvi Vinah (“Who gives understanding to distinguish between day and night”) and proceeds directly to Pokeach Ivrim (“Who opens the eyes of the blind”), they may return and recite the omitted blessing.

There is, however, one important exception. If someone mistakenly recites Zokef Kefufim (“Who straightens the bent”) before Matir Asurim (“Who releases the bound”), they may no longer recite Matir Asurim. This is because Zokef Kefufim expresses gratitude to God for enabling a person to stand upright, which already includes the gratitude expressed in Matir Asurim for releasing the body's limbs from their restricted state during sleep and restoring the ability to move freely.

Understanding the Morning Blessings: What Are We Thanking God For?

Shelo Asani Goy – “Who has not made me a non-Jew”

Women recite the feminine form, Shelo Asani Goyah. Through this blessing, we express gratitude and praise to God for creating us as members of the Jewish people, whom He chose from among the nations and brought close to Him through the Torah and its commandments. We thank God for granting us the privilege of being born into the Jewish people and the opportunity to serve Him through the mitzvot.

Shelo Asani Aved – “Who has not made me a slave”

Women recite the feminine form, Shelo Asani Shifchah. In this blessing, we thank God for creating us as Jews who are obligated to observe the commandments, rather than as Canaanite slaves, who, under Jewish law, were exempt from certain time-bound positive commandments, such as tzitzit and tefillin.

The traditional explanation also reflects the social and religious status of slaves in ancient times. They occupied a lower position in society, were regarded with suspicion concerning theft, did not possess the ancestral merit associated with the Jewish people, and were prohibited from marrying freeborn Jews. The blessing therefore expresses gratitude for the spiritual responsibilities and privileges associated with full membership in the Jewish people.

Daily Quote: A Mother's Prayers at Shabbat Candle Lighting

"Why was Moshe commanded to speak to the women first? Because they send their children to school, watch over them to ensure that they study Torah, show them compassion when they return from school, and encourage them with kind words so that their hearts will desire Torah study. They protect them from neglecting their learning and teach them to fear sin from an early age.

"Therefore, it is fitting for a woman to pray to God at the time of lighting the Shabbat candles, a mitzvah particularly entrusted to her, asking that He bless her with children who illuminate the world through Torah. Prayer is more readily accepted at the time of performing a mitzvah. Through the merit of the Shabbat candles, which bring light, she may merit children who become Torah scholars, for the Torah itself is called light, as it is written: 'For a commandment is a lamp, and the Torah is light' (Proverbs 6:23).

"Our Sages likewise taught (Shabbat 23b): 'One who is careful in the observance of lighting candles will merit children who are Torah scholars.'

"She should pray and say: 'May it be Your will that my children illuminate the world through Torah, mitzvot, and fear of Heaven.' This is a particularly fitting prayer to offer at the moment she kindles the light of a mitzvah."

— Rabbeinu Yonah, Iggeret HaTeshuvah, Discourse 3, Section 60

Understanding the Quote: The Spiritual Significance of Shabbat Candle Lighting

Rabbeinu Yonah emphasizes the essential role of women in raising and educating their children. He describes how mothers guide their children's spiritual development from an early age by ensuring that they attend school, encouraging them to study Torah, nurturing their love of learning, and teaching them to live with reverence for God. Through their compassion, encouragement, and daily involvement, mothers help shape their children's values, attitudes, and spiritual aspirations.

Because of this profound responsibility, Rabbeinu Yonah teaches that the moment of lighting Shabbat candles is an especially appropriate time for a mother to pray for her children's spiritual future. He explains that prayer offered while performing a mitzvah carries particular spiritual significance, making candle lighting an auspicious opportunity to ask God for children who will grow in Torah, mitzvot, and fear of Heaven.

Rabbeinu Yonah draws a beautiful connection between the physical light of the Shabbat candles and the spiritual light of Torah. Just as the candles illuminate the home, a mother prays that her children will illuminate the world through their knowledge, character, and dedication to God's commandments. This connection is reflected in the verse, "For a commandment is a lamp, and the Torah is light" (Proverbs 6:23), as well as the Talmudic teaching that careful observance of candle lighting brings the merit of children who become Torah scholars.

Rabbeinu Yonah therefore encourages women to use these precious moments to offer a heartfelt prayer: “May it be Your will that my children illuminate the world through Torah, mitzvot, and fear of Heaven.”

His teaching transforms Shabbat candle lighting from a familiar weekly ritual into a profound opportunity for spiritual connection and prayer. As a mother kindles the Shabbat lights, she is invited to look beyond the physical candles and envision the spiritual light she hopes her children will bring into the world.