The Ben Ish Hai (Rabbi Yosef Haim of Baghdad, 1833-1909), in Parashat Shemot, records the custom to touch the Tefillin Shel Yad when one begins reciting the Beracha of "Yoser Or" – the first of the two Berachot recited before Shema during the morning prayer service. It is proper, the Ben Ish Hai writes, to keep holding the Tefillin Shel Yad throughout the recitation of this Beracha, and to occasionally kiss one’s hand. This helps to keep one’s mind focused on his Tefillin while reciting this Beracha.
Some people mistakenly touch the Tefillin Shel Rosh, as well, as they begin reciting the Beracha of "Yoser Or." The Ben Ish Hai notes that this custom is incorrect, as the time for touching the Tefillin Shel Rosh is during the Beracha of "Ga’al Yisrael," just before the Amida prayer.
The Beracha of "Yoser Or" includes the recitation of Kedusha – "Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh…" The Ben Ish Hai writes that this Kedusha must be recited in a seated position, and if one had been standing when he reaches this point of the service, he should ensure to sit for this Kedusha. Furthermore, he writes, it is proper to hold one’s Tefillin Shel Yad while reciting, "Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh…"
When one recites the words, "Yoser Or," he must ensure to make a slight pause between those two words. Otherwise, as the Ben Ish Hai notes, one will likely pronounce them as but a single word, "Yoseror," swallowing the letter "Alef" that begins the word "Or." One must therefore ensure to pause slightly so that the phrase, "Yoser Or" is clearly pronounced as two separate words.
In the Beracha of "Yoser Or" we recite the phrase, "Et Shem Ha’Kel Ha’Melech Ha’gadol Ha’gibor Ve’ha’nora." A similar phrase appears in the subsequent Beracha, the Beracha of "Ahabat Olam": "Ki Be’Shem Kodshecha Ha’gadol Ha’gibor Ve’hanora." It could happen that a person who does not pay attention while praying may lose his place as he recites the words, "Ha’gadol Ha’gibor Ve’ha’nora," and not know whether he is currently reciting the Beracha of "Yoser Or," or the Beracha of "Ahabat Olam." Should he assume that he is still in the first Beracha, of "Yoser Or," and begin from that point, or may he assume that he had already reached the second Beracha, of "Ahabat Olam," and proceed from there?
The Ben Ish Hai applies to this case the famous rule of "Safek Berachot Le’hakel," which says that one should not recite a Beracha in a situation of uncertainty. In this instance, then, one should proceed from the phrase "Ha’gadol Ha’gibor Ve’ha’nora" in "Ahabat Olam," rather than from this phrase in "Yoser Or."
Summary: It is proper to touch one’s Tefillin Shel Yad while reciting the Beracha of "Yoser Or" in the morning prayer service, and to keep holding it throughout the Beracha, especially during the recitation of "Kadosh, Kadosh…" The verse of "Kadosh, Kadosh…" in the Beracha of "Yoser Or" must be recited in a seated position. If a person recites the phrase, "Ha’gadol Ha’gibor Ve’ha’nora" – which appears in both the Beracha of "Yoser Or" and in "Ahabat Olam" – and is unsure which Beracha he is reciting, he should proceed from "Ahabat Olam."
