When is the Latest Time for Reciting Baruch She’amar and Yishtabah?
Update: 2025-11-16
Description
The Pesukeh De'zimra section of the morning prayer service begins with the Beracha of Baruch She'amar, and concludes with the Beracha of Yishtabah. The earliest time for reciting these blessings is Alot Ha'shahar – daybreak, when the first rays of light appear on the eastern horizon – which occurs 72 halachic minutes before sunrise. As for the latest time when one may recite these blessings, we find a disagreement among the Poskim. The background to this debate involves the two different "deadlines" for reciting the morning Amida. The proper time for reciting the Amida is until the end of the fourth halachic hour of the day. Thus, for example, if sunrise occurs at 6am and sunset is at 6pm, such that each halachic hour is 60 minutes long, then the proper time for reciting the Amida is until 10am – four hours after sunrise. However, even if one did not recite the Amida by that time, he can and should recite it, until Hasot (halachic midday) – in this case, 12 noon. One who prays the Amida between the fourth hour and Hasot – in this instance, between 10am and noon – is credited with praying Shaharit, but does not receive reward for praying at the proper time. In light of this, Hacham Bension Abba Shaul (Jerusalem, 1924-1998) ruled that Baruch She'amar and Yishtabah, which follow the same guidelines as the Amida, must be recited by the end of the fourth hour. In his view, one who woke up late and did not recite Pesukeh De'zimra before the end of the fourth hour can no longer recite the Berachot of Baruch She'amar and Yishtabah. Other Poskim, however, maintained that since the Amida can be recited even past the fourth hour, until Hasot, Baruch She'amar and Yishtabah likewise may be recited until Hasot. These Poskim include the Mishna Berura, Rav Meir Mazuz (1945-2025), and the Yalkut Yosef (which is based on the rulings of Hacham Ovadia Yosef). Hacham David Yosef, in Halacha Berura, suggests a sort of compromise position, distinguishing between one who is delayed due to circumstances beyond his control, such as illness, and one who knowingly delayed Shaharit beyond the fourth hour for no legitimate reason. In the latter case, although the individual is allowed to recite the Amida until Hasot, he must stipulate that it will be considered a voluntary prayer. Such a stipulation cannot be made for Baruch She'amar and Yishtabah, as they cannot be recited voluntarily. Therefore, Hacham David posits, only if one unwilfully delayed Shaharit may he recite Baruch She'amar and Yishtabah after the fourth hour, whereas one who purposefully recites Shaharit after the fourth hour must omit these blessings. As for the final halacha, we follow the famous rule of "Safek Berachot Le'hakel" – that we refrain from reciting a Beracha when there is some uncertainty as to whether it is warranted. Therefore, we abide by Hacham Bension's position, that one who prays Shaharit after the end of the fourth hour does not recite Baruch She'amar or Yishtabah. Summary: The earliest time for reciting Baruch She'amar and Yishtabah – the Berachot before and after Pesukeh De'zimra – is Alot Ha'shahar (daybreak). The final time for reciting these blessings is debated by the Poskim, as some Poskim maintain that they may not be recited past the fourth halachic hour of the day. In deference to this position, one who prays Shaharit after that point does not recite Baruch She'amar or Yishtabah.
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