Recap Last week we explained that the most basic inner intention of Birchos Hashachar is to look around and think about the great gifts Hashem has given us today, and to ask ourselves, “What will I do with these gifts today?” Now we will begin going through the specific inner intention of each bracha.
In Pnimiyus HaTorah we are taught that every spiritual level is made up of ten sefiros. These brachos thank Hashem for different types of shefa that He sends our way, and through them we connect to Him in all ten ways. We will go through the brachos in the order of the Sefardim, since that order better follows the structure of pnimiyus.
It is important to remember that these inner intentions are something we can add to the simple meaning of each bracha. They should not replace the basic kavana of understanding the words we are saying.
Hanosein Lasechvi Binah
Blessed are You, Hashem, our God, King of the universe, Who gave the heart understanding to distinguish between night and day.
We thank Hashem for the basic ability to recognize the difference between day and night, and to wake up and begin a new day. With this bracha we connect to Hashem’s shefa through middas hakesser. Kesser is the simple root and core of everything. Before we think about all the specific things we can accomplish today, we first recognize the most basic gift: Hashem gave me another day. I am here, and I want my whole self to be used to serve Him.
Inner Intention
Thank You, Hashem, for the gift of waking up this morning. Please help me use this new day to serve You with my whole self.
Pokeiach Ivrim
Blessed are You, Hashem, our God, King of the universe, Who gives sight to the blind.
We thank Hashem for our ability to open our eyes and see. On the simple level, we thank Hashem for the gift of eyesight. On a deeper level, once we recognize the basic gift of a new day, we want to use our eyes to see the world with pnimiyus eyes. We don’t want to see only what is on the surface. We want to look deeper and notice Hashem’s presence within everything.
Inner Intention
Thank You, Hashem, for giving me the gift of sight. Please help me use my vision to look beneath the surface and find Your presence within everything I encounter today.
Deeper Dive: Hanosein Lasechvi Binah and Pokeiach Ivrim
The Arizal teaches that these two brachos are connected, and that they are both rooted in kesser. Kesser is the simple root and core of everything, before things become divided into specific details. These first two brachos connect us to that beginning. First, we recognize the most basic gift: Hashem gave me another day. Then, as we open our eyes, we begin to see the world around us and look for Hashem within it.
This article was found in Nekuda Tova Issue 97.
