Until What Time Can One Pray the Morning Amidah?

Greetings,

Ideally, one should pray Shacharit until the end of four hours from the start of the day. If one did not finish praying Shacharit by the end of the four hours, one can still pray until midday, and this is considered a prayer outside its time (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim, Siman 89, Sif 1. It is important to check the times for the end of four hours and midday according to the local calendar, as this changes from day to day and region to region).

However, if someone had the opportunity to pray before the end of four hours and intentionally delayed, there is a dispute whether they may also pray until midday in this case. Therefore, to avoid any doubt, it is good and correct to make a condition before the prayer, stating that if they are obligated to pray, they pray as an obligation, and if they are not obligated, their intention is to pray as a voluntary offering (Mishnah Berurah, S"K 6, and Responsa Yichave Da'at, Part 7, Siman 15).

One who prays after four hours from the start of the day should not recite the blessings of Shema - specifically, the blessings of Yotzer Or, Ahavah Rabah, and Ge'al Yisrael (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim, Siman 58, Sif 6, and Mishnah Berurah, S"K 26. See also Biur Halachah there, D"H Koreh).

Blessings,

Hillel Meirs