Halacha Date: 8 Tevet 5783 January 1 2023
Answer: (The “Asher Yatzar” blessing is recited by one who has used the facilities upon emerging from the restroom and washing one’s hands in accordance with Halacha. One should not recite the “Asher Yatzar” blessing in the morning unless one has used the restroom.)
The Baraita in Masechet Berachot (46a) teaches us that all blessings must begin with the word “Baruch” (we shall not discuss the reason for this at this point). The question thus arises regarding the blessing of “Elokai Neshama” recited every morning (men and women are obligated to recite it as is the case with all of the morning blessings, as we have already discussed in the laws of the morning blessings): Why does it not start with the word “Baruch”?
The Rosh writes in one of his responses that the blessing of “Elokai Neshama” which does not start with the word “Baruch” should be recited immediately following the “Asher Yatzar” blessing, for the “Elokai Neshama” blessing needs to be connected to the “Asher Yatzar” blessing as if it were a continuation of the “Asher Yatzar” blessing which does indeed begin with the word “Baruch.”
However, the Bayit Chadash points out that the Rosh does not mean that it is a halachic obligation to recite “Elokai Neshama” immediately following the “Asher Yatzar” blessing; rather, it is just a pious and worthy thing to do.
According to the letter of the law, it is not necessary to adjoin these blessings to one another as the Tosafot in Masechet Berachot (46a) write: “Why does ‘Elokai Neshama’ not begin with the word ‘Baruch’? It is not necessarily adjoined to the blessing of ‘Asher Yatzar,’ for instance, if one does not need to use the restroom (in which case he does not recite the ‘Asher Yatzar’ blessing at all, however, he will still recite the ‘Elokai Neshama’ blessing)! We must therefore say that since the essence of this blessing is only to give thanks (to Hashem), it therefore does not begin with the word ‘Baruch.’”
The Tur and Maran Ha’Shulchan Aruch rule likewise: “The blessing of ‘Elokai Neshama’ does not begin with the word ‘Baruch’ since it is a blessing of thanksgiving (meaning that is not a blessing before performing a Mitzvah such as the blessing of ‘Le’Haniach Tefillin’ nor is it a blessing before enjoyment such as ‘Boreh Peri Ha’Etz’ which was instituted to be recited before eating) and blessings of thanksgiving do not begin with ‘Baruch.’” Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef zt”l rules likewise; however, he does quote the opinion of some Poskim and Mekubalim that one should recite the “Elokai Neshama” blessing immediately following the “Asher Yatzar” blessing. Thus, he writes that it is preferable to adjoin these blessings in order to fulfill the opinion of the Poskim who do require this.
Summary: Although it is permissible to recite the “Asher Yatzar” and “Elokai Neshama” blessings separately, it is preferable to recite them one after another in immediate succession.
