If a person forgot to recite Birkot Ha’shahar (the morning blessings), and he remembered only after he finished the Shaharit prayer, must he still recite these Berachot, and, if so, which Berachot does he recite?
In such a case, one must recite Birkot Ha’shahar, though there are some which he omits. The Beracha of Ahabat Olam, which we recite just prior to Shema, speaks about Torah study, and one therefore fulfills his obligation of Birkat Ha’Torah – to recite a Beracha over Torah learning – through this Beracha. Hence, a person who realized after praying Shaharit that he had not recited Birkot Ha’shahar would not recite Birkat Ha’Torah, as his recitation of Ahabat Olam sufficed as Birkat Ha’Torah.
By the same token, one would not recite the Beracha of "Elokai Neshama" in such a case. This Beracha gives praise to God for restoring our souls which depart from our bodies during sleep. It thus concludes, "Ha’mahazir Neshamot Li’fgarim Metim" ("who returns souls to dead corpses"). This theme is mentioned in the second Beracha of the Amida, which concludes by giving praise to God for His power of Tehiyat Ha’metim (resurrecting the dead). Therefore, if one remembered after praying Shaharit that he had not recited Birkot Ha’shahar, he does not recite the Beracha of "Elokai Neshama."
According to one view, a person in such a case would also omit the Beracha of "Asher Yasar," as the theme of this Beracha – the great miracle of the human body – is covered by the eighth Beracha of the Amida, the Beracha of "Refa’enu." This Beracha prays for good health, and thus, according to this view, fulfills as well the obligation of "Asher Yasar." However, Halacha does not follow this opinion. "Refa’enu" relates specifically to God’s capacity to heal the sick, to restore good health to those suffering from illness. The Beracha of "Asher Yasar," by contrast, speaks more generally of the miraculous nature of the human body’s everyday functioning. The recitation of a specific Beracha cannot suffice for fulfilling the obligation of a more general Beracha. Therefore, one who forgot to recite Birkot Ha’shahar would recite "Asher Yasar," despite the fact that he had recited "Refa’enu" in the Amida. However, if he in any event needs to use the restroom, he should preferably do so before reciting "Asher Yasar," so that he will be obligated to recite the Beracha according to all views. Although Halacha does not, as mentioned, follow the view exempting one from "Asher Yasar" in this case, nevertheless, if one in any event must use the restroom, he should do so before reciting "Asher Yasar."
Summary: If one forgot to recite Birkot Ha’shahar, and remembered only after he prayed Shaharit, he should recite all the Birkot Ha’shahar, with the exception of Birkot Ha’Torah and "Elokai Neshama."
