Asher Yatzar
Encyclopedia
Asher yatzar is a blessing in Judaism
. It is traditionally recited after engaging in an act of excretion
, but is also included in many Jewish prayer books
as a part of daily prayer prior to Birkat HaShachar
.
The purpose of this blessing is to thank God
for good health. It expresses thanks having the ability to excrete, for without it, existence would be impossible.
Though recited normally by fully observant Jews each time excretory functions are used, hence giving it the name the "bathroom blessing", it is also recited during the Shacharit
service due to its spiritual significance (to Jews, humans are made in God's image, so it is an expression of awe toward God's creations).
and or defecation
and upon leaving the bathroom, the person washes their hands. According to Jewish etiquette, this should be done outside the bathroom, but if there is no source of water available outside the bathroom, it is permissible to wash one's hands inside the bathroom, then dry them outside. No al netilat yadayim blessing is recited for the handwashing.
Following the washing and drying of one's hands, the asher yatzar blessing is recited -
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
. It is traditionally recited after engaging in an act of excretion
Excretion
Excretion is the process by which waste products of metabolism and other non-useful materials are eliminated from an organism. This is primarily carried out by the lungs, kidneys and skin. This is in contrast with secretion, where the substance may have specific tasks after leaving the cell...
, but is also included in many Jewish prayer books
Siddur
A siddur is a Jewish prayer book, containing a set order of daily prayers. This article discusses how some of these prayers evolved, and how the siddur, as it is known today has developed...
as a part of daily prayer prior to Birkat HaShachar
Birkat HaShachar
Birkot hashachar or Birkot haShachar are a series of blessings that are recited at the beginning of Jewish morning services...
.
The purpose of this blessing is to thank God
God in Judaism
The conception of God in Judaism is strictly monotheistic. God is an absolute one indivisible incomparable being who is the ultimate cause of all existence. Jewish tradition teaches that the true aspect of God is incomprehensible and unknowable, and that it is only God's revealed aspect that...
for good health. It expresses thanks having the ability to excrete, for without it, existence would be impossible.
Though recited normally by fully observant Jews each time excretory functions are used, hence giving it the name the "bathroom blessing", it is also recited during the Shacharit
Shacharit
Shacharit is the the daily morning Tefillah of the Jewish people, one of the three times there is prayer each day.Shacharit is said to have been established by the patriarch Abraham when he prayed in the morning...
service due to its spiritual significance (to Jews, humans are made in God's image, so it is an expression of awe toward God's creations).
Process
After completing urinationUrination
Urination, also known as micturition, voiding, peeing, weeing, pissing, and more rarely, emiction, is the ejection of urine from the urinary bladder through the urethra to the outside of the body. In healthy humans the process of urination is under voluntary control...
and or defecation
Defecation
Defecation is the final act of digestion by which organisms eliminate solid, semisolid or liquid waste material from the digestive tract via the anus. Waves of muscular contraction known as peristalsis in the walls of the colon move fecal matter through the digestive tract towards the rectum...
and upon leaving the bathroom, the person washes their hands. According to Jewish etiquette, this should be done outside the bathroom, but if there is no source of water available outside the bathroom, it is permissible to wash one's hands inside the bathroom, then dry them outside. No al netilat yadayim blessing is recited for the handwashing.
Following the washing and drying of one's hands, the asher yatzar blessing is recited -
- "Blessed are You, Hashem our G-d, King of the universe, Who formed man with wisdom and created within him many openings and many hollows. It is obvious and known before Your Throne of Glory that if even one of them ruptures, or if even one of them becomes blocked, it would be impossible to survive and to stand before You (even for a short period). Blessed are You, Hashem, Who heals all flesh and acts wondrously."
People with medical issues
There is no consensus as to whether or not (or how often) a person with medical issues should recite asher yatzar:- A person suffering from incontinenceIncontinenceIncontinence or Incontinent may refer to:*Fecal incontinence, the inability to control one's bowels*Incontinence *Incontinent , a 1981 album by Fad Gadget*Urinary incontinence, the involuntary excretion of urine...
should recite the blessing after urination, even if it is involuntary - One who has no bowel or bladder control does not recite the blessing at all
- One who, as a result of a medication, feels an interrupted need to urinate, should recite the blessing a single time after s/he has emptied his/her bladder
- One who has a urinary catheterFoley catheterA Foley catheter is a flexible tube that is often passed through the urethra and into the bladder. The tube has two separated channels, or lumens, running down its length. One lumen is open at both ends, and allows urine to drain out into a collection bag...
should recite the blessing once in the morning, having in mind that it'll cover all urination for the entire day - One who has diarrheaDiarrheaDiarrhea , also spelled diarrhoea, is the condition of having three or more loose or liquid bowel movements per day. It is a common cause of death in developing countries and the second most common cause of infant deaths worldwide. The loss of fluids through diarrhea can cause dehydration and...
should recite the blessing after each diarrhea - One who has taken a laxativeLaxativeLaxatives are foods, compounds, or drugs taken to induce bowel movements or to loosen the stool, most often taken to treat constipation. Certain stimulant, lubricant, and saline laxatives are used to evacuate the colon for rectal and/or bowel examinations, and may be supplemented by enemas under...
should not recite the blessing until the laxative has done its work - One whose mind is not completely settled due to an illness is exempt