Selected Laws

  Birkas HaChama (The Blessing of the Sun) (File Size: 264.5 KiB - 168 downloads)
Laws, Blessings, and Time Table for Birkas HaChama (The Blessing of the Sun)

• A quorum of ten is not required to recite Bircas Hachammah. It is, however, preferable to recite the blessing in the company of a large assemblage because the glory
  of the King is in the multitude of the populace.
• Some authorities maintain that it is preferable to pronounce the blessing immediately upon seeing the sun in the morning (even before reciting the morning prayers) even if this entails
  pronouncing the blessing in private. Others maintain that it is preferable to pronounce the blessing in the company of a large assemblage and that, for this reason, the blessing should
  be delayed and pronounced outside the synagogue after morning services. If clouds threaten to obscure the sun, all agree that the blessing should be recited without delay.
• When the blessing is recited after morning services, some have the custom of reciting the blessing while yet attired in tallis and tefillin. (This is how Congregation Toras Chaim will recite the blessing in the morning immediately following shacharis.)
• The blessing should be recited while standing. It is proper to wear dignified clothing while reciting the blessing.
• The blessing may be recited while standing under a roof or even when observing the sun through a window from inside a building.
• The blessing should be pronounced as early in the day as possible but should not be delayed later than the end of the third hour (10:18 AM for Dallas, TX). In case of delay, or if the sun is overcast by clouds earlier in the day, the blessing, according to some authorities, may be recited until midday (1:28 PM for Dallas, TX).
• The blessing should not be recited if the sun is obscured by clouds. However, the blessing may be recited on a cloudy day if the outline of the sun can be perceived beneath the clouds
  or if any portion of the sun is visible between the clouds.
• If the sun is completely obscured throughout the morning, the blessing should be delayed until shortly before midday (1:28 PM for Dallas, TX). At that time the blessing should be recited with the omission of shem umalchus (the words HASHEM, our God, King of the universe). The blessing should then be pronounced as follows: “Blessed are You who makes the work of creation.” Once the blessing has been recited in this manner, regardless of the hour at which it was recited, the full text of the blessing should not be
  repeated, even if the sun becomes visible before midday.
• Women may recite the blessing.