Shelo Assani Isha

These morning blessings show our gratitude to G-d in different ways for waking us up and giving us the opportunity to do mitzvot.

A critique of the three negative blessings, "that I was not made a woman... a slave... a non-Jew," gives way to a mystical teaching on three modes of soulful expression, and ultimately to a reminder that the soul's essence lies beyond all expression.

In this lesson we examine the succession of morning blessings, which express our thanksgiving for many special gifts we’re granted on a daily basis. We also don’t shy away from openly discussing the more controversial blessings at the end.