What is hebrew morning prayer in english?

The Hebrew morning prayer, known as Shacharit (שַׁחֲרִית), is the first of three daily Jewish prayer services, recited each morning from sunrise until midday. It was instituted by the patriarch Abraham and consists of several major sections including blessings, Pesukei D'Zimra (verses of praise), the Shema, and the Amidah (standing prayer).

Key Takeaways

Shacharit is the Jewish morning prayer service, ideally recited from sunrise (hanetz hachamah) until the end of the fourth halachic hour of the day.
It was traditionally instituted by the patriarch Abraham, as derived from Genesis 19:27.
The service centers on the Amidah (the silent standing prayer of 19 blessings on weekdays), also called Tefillat Shmoneh Esreh.
One may fulfill the obligation after the fourth hour until midday, but this is considered "not in its proper time."
Before praying Shacharit, one should not eat, do work, or even greet a friend — prayer comes first.

The Origin of Shacharit

The Talmud traces the three daily prayers back to the three Patriarchs. Shacharit (morning prayer) was established by Abraham, as the verse states:

"וַיַּשְׁכֵּם אַבְרָהָם בַּבֹּקֶר אֶל הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר עָמַד שָׁם" "And Abraham rose early in the morning to the place where he had stood [before God]." (Genesis 19:27)

The word "עָמַד" (stood) is understood as a reference to prayer [Kedushat Levi, Genesis, Chayei Sara 27; Talmud Bavli, Berakhot 26b].

When Is Shacharit Recited?

The Ideal Time

The ideal time to begin Shacharit is at hanetz hachamah (הנץ החמה) — sunrise. [Sefer HaChinukh 433:6]

The Extended Window

The l'chatchilah (preferred) time ends after the fourth halachic hour of the day.
B'di'avad (after the fact), one who prays until midday fulfills the obligation, though not "in its proper time."
Rabbi Yehudah is more stringent, holding the deadline is four hours. The Sages hold it extends until midday. [Mishnah Berakhot 4:1]

The Sefer HaChinukh summarizes:

"תפילת השחר מהנץ החמה עד סוף שעה רביעית" "The morning prayer [is recited] from sunrise until the end of the fourth hour." [Sefer HaChinukh 433:6]

Emergency Situations

In pressing circumstances (sha'at hadechak), such as needing to leave on a journey, one may recite Shacharit even after alot hashachar (dawn), before sunrise, and fulfill the obligation. [Sefer HaChinukh 433:6]

What Does Shacharit Include?

The morning service has several major sections:

| Section | Description | |---|---| | Birkot HaShachar | Morning blessings thanking God for waking, bodily functions, and daily needs | | Pesukei D'Zimra | Verses of praise, primarily Psalms (including Psalm 145–150) | | Birkat Shema | Blessings surrounding the Shema | | Shema | Declaration of God's unity (Deuteronomy 6:4-9, etc.) | | Amidah | The silent standing prayer — 19 blessings on weekdays, 7 on Shabbat/holidays | | Tachanun | Penitential prayers (said on most weekdays) | | Torah Reading | On Mondays, Thursdays, Shabbat, and holidays | | Aleinu | Concluding prayer affirming God's sovereignty |

The Kavanah (Intention) Before Shacharit

The Sephardic Siddur Edot HaMizrach includes a beautiful introductory declaration before Shacharit:

"לְשֵׁם יִחוּד קֻדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא וּשְׁכִינְתֵּיהּ... הִנֵּה אֲנַחְנוּ בָּאִים לְהִתְפַּלֵּל תְּפִלַּת שַׁחֲרִית, שֶׁתִּקֵּן אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ" "For the sake of the unification of the Holy One Blessed be He and His Shekhinah... behold we come to pray the morning prayer (Shacharit) which was instituted by our father Abraham." [Siddur Edot HaMizrach, Morning Prayer]

Restrictions Before Shacharit

The Rambam rules that once dawn breaks, a person may not:

Taste food or drink
Do work
Go out on a journey
Greet a friend at his doorstep

...until Shacharit has been recited. [Mishneh Torah, Prayer and the Priestly Blessing 6:4]

Praying With a Congregation

The Shulchan Arukh emphasizes that one should make every effort to pray Shacharit in a synagogue with a minyan (quorum of 10). If circumstances prevent this, one should at minimum pray at the same time as the congregation. [Shulchan Arukh, Orach Chayim 90:9]

For personal guidance on prayer practice, consult your local rabbi or posek.