The Ben Ish Hai (Rav Yosef Haim of Baghdad, 1833-1909), in Parashat Vaera (4), addresses the situation of a person who, for whatever reason, did not recite the nighttime Shema until "Amud Ha’shahar," or daybreak. He writes that so long as the sun has not risen, one may still recite Shema and thereby fulfill, on some level, the obligation of the nighttime Shema. Of course, Halacha requires one to recite the nighttime Shema before Hasot (midnight as defined by Halacha). However, one who could not do so still has the opportunity to fulfill the obligation on some level, provided that he recites the Shema before sunrise. The Ben Ish Hai adds that in a situation where one recites the nighttime Shema after daybreak, he must ensure not to recite the morning Shema until after sunrise. Reciting both Shema recitations in the period between daybreak and sunrise would constitute a "Tarteh De’satreh" – an inherent contradiction, in that he is treating that period as both night and day.
The Ben Ish Hai proceeds to discuss in this context the intentions that one should have as he recites the word "Ehad" – the final word of the first verse of Shema ("Shema Yisrael Hashem Elokenu Hashem Ehad"). The word "Ehad" means "one," and one should intend while reciting this word the unity of the two Divine Names of Havaya ("Y-H-V-H") and Adnut ("A-D-N-Y"). While reciting the word "Ehad," one should envision these two Names and have in mind their combination, indicating the absolute Oneness of the Creator.
Furthermore, while reciting the letter "Dalet" at the end of the word "Ehad," one should have in mind that he subjects himself to the four forms of capital punishments (stoning, burning, decapitation and strangulation). The letter "Dalet" has the numerical value of four, and thus while reciting this letter one should accept upon himself these four punishments, and will thereby earn atonement for his sins. (This is in addition to the intention that God rules over all four corners of the earth.)
One should prolong his pronunciation of the letter "Dalet" in order to allow time for having this intention. However, the Ben Ish Hai warns, one must not pronounce the "Dalet" in "Ehad" as though it is punctuated. Many people mistakenly recite the "Dalet" in this word as though it is written "Duh." The word is "Ehad," not "Ehaduh," and one must therefore prolong the pronunciation of the "Dalet" without adding a vowel sound to it.
When reciting the first two syllables of this word – "E-Ha" – one should recite the first syllable ("E") very briefly, and extend the second syllable ("Ha"). The "Segol" vowel ("E") is treated in Hebrew grammar as a "Tenu’a Ketana" ("short" vowel), while the "Kamatz" vowel ("A") is a "Tenu’a Gedola" ("long" vowel), and they should therefore be pronounced as such. Furthermore, if one prolongs the first syllable of the word "Ehad," it might sound as though he says the two words, "Eh Had," which in Aramaic means "not one." This quite obviously would express the precise opposite concept that we wish to declare in the recitation of Shema.
It should be noted that these intentions which the Ben Ish Hai discusses here are not strictly required according to Halacha. Strictly speaking (as discussed in previous editions of Daily Halacha), while reciting the first verse of Shema one must have in mind simply that he accepts the Almighty as his God and acknowledges His absolute oneness. The intentions mentioned here are for achieving higher standards in fulfilling this Misva.
Summary: One who did not recite the nighttime Shema until daybreak may recite it until sunrise. While reciting the word "Ehad" in the first verse of Shema, one should have in mind (in addition to the simple meaning of the word) that the Divine Names of "Havaya" and "Adnut" are one, and that he subjects himself to the four forms of capital punishment. The first syllable in "Ehad" should be recited as a short syllable, and the second syllable should be extended somewhat. One should also prolong his pronunciation of the letter "Dalet," while ensuring not to add a vowel sound by reciting "Ehaduh."
