Base text (Berachot 1:2)
Since when reciting the Shema in the morning?
Since a person can distinguish between the blue sky (tekhelet) and white.
Rabbi Eliezer says: from that one can distinguish between the tekhelet and the green of the leeks.
And one must finish reciting the Shema until the end of the period “in which you wake up”, that is to say, until the dawn, when the sun starts to shine.
Rabbi Yehoshua says: one may recite the Shema in the morning until three hours a day, that is still considered a time to get up, because the kings are usually wake up at that time.
Whoever recites it after not lost at all, because, although it does not fulfill the mitzvah in its time, it is considered as one who studies the Torah and receives a reward.
I. general Context of the Mishnah
The Mishnah Berachot 1:2 continues the discussion of the first mishnah (on the Shema night) and defines the a temporal framework for the recitation of the Shema morningthat is part of the mitzvot daily established in Devarim / Deuteronomy 6:7:
“...when thou liest down and when thou risest up”.
The aim of the Wise is to determine when it starts, and when does it end this period of “get up”.
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II. Debate halachic: start and end time of the Shema
A. Start time (zman kriat Shema shel shacharit)
1. Opinion of the Sages (anonymous):
“From that we can distinguish between tekhelet and white.”
This describes the beginning of the dawn of civilwhen there is enough natural light to differentiate contrasting colors. In astronomical terms, is equivalent to approximately alot hashajar, a 72 minutes before sunrise solar according to the calculation rabbinical traditional.
2. The opinion of Rabbi Eliezer:
“From that we can distinguish between tekhelet and the green leek.”
Here the criterion is more subtle: both colors are similar, therefore the time is a little laterwhen there is more light. This suggests that Rabbi Eliezer interpreted the start of the Shema after the first glow of dawnperhaps a few 10-15 minutes after the alot hashajar.
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B. End of time (sof zman kriat Shema)
1. The opinion of Rabbi Eliezer:
Until dawn, “when the sun starts to shine”.
→ Performs “when you wake up” in a literal way, by linking the recitation with the time that people begin to wake up from the dream, that is to say, before sunrise (netz hajamá).
2. The opinion of Rabbi Yehoshua:
Until three hours after the departure of the sunas “the kings were up late.”
→ Extends the margin, by interpreting “get up” includes all of the period in which part of the population still waking up.
3. Conclusion halachic (according to the Talmud, Berachot 9b–10a and Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 58):
The halachah follows Rebbi Yehoshua.
You can recite the Shema up to three hours after the netz hajamá.
However, the ideal (lejatjilá) is recited before the departure of the sun, as did the vatikin, the pious that syncing the Shema with the dawn and the Amidá immediately after.
III. Symbolism of colors: Tekhelet, white and green
The Sages did not choose the colors at random. In the rabbinic literature, the tekhelet it has a symbolic load deep:
| Color | Symbolism | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tekhelet (blue) | It represents the sky, the divine, the transcendent. Is associated with the Tzitzit (Numbers 15:38). | Menajot 43b |
| White | Purity, clarity, divine mercy. | Isaiah 1:18 |
| Green leek (yarok karkom) | Intermediate Color between plant life (earth), and the blue of the sky; it represents the earthly plane and vital. | Me am Lo " ez, Berachot |
The contrast tekhelet–white refers to the recognition of the difference between the spiritual and the physical, while tekhelet–green emphasizes the ability to discern between the divine and the natural.
For this reason, the Mishnah associated with the start of the Shema with the first time of the day that the soul “is” the light of the darkboth literally and spiritually.
IV. Dimension halachic and practical
| Time | Definition | Modern approach (according to calculation rabbinical) |
|---|---|---|
| Alot Hashajar | First lights of dawn | 72 minutes before the netz hajamá |
| Kriat Shema – minimum boot | When distinguished tekhelet–white | ≈ 50-60 min before the netz |
| Vatikin (ideal) | Shema just before dawn, Amidá the netz hajamá | Exact at dawn |
| End of time | 3 hours after sunrise | Variable according to season and latitude |
The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 58:1-6) encodes as well:
“The one who recites the Shema before sunrise does not meet, and who does it after three hours, he loses the mitzvah, even though it is considered that he studied Torah.”
V. spiritual and existential
The Wise see in this Mishnah a parallel between the transition from darkness to light and the spiritual awakening of man.
The Shema morning is not just a recitation of faith, but the act of recognizing the divine sovereignty in the moment that the light overcomes darkness.
Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai (Zohar, I, 121b) explains:
“The one who recites the Shema in the instant that the darkness is dispelled, the proclamation of divine Unity of the universe that is reborn.”
Thus, to distinguish the colors symbolizes the passage of the veil of confusion towards the clarity of understandingwhen the soul is ready to serve the Creator.
VI. Read compared: Rabbi Eliezer vs. Rabbi Yehoshua
| Appearance | Rabbi Eliezer | Rabbi Yehoshua |
|---|---|---|
| Time of the pious man | Strict: early, before the sun. | Flexible: within 3 hours. |
| Vision of awakening | Spiritual awakening immediately, before the physical. | The human awakening social, where the majority stands. |
| Central metaphor | Absolute fidelity, accuracy ritual. | Human understanding, breadth community. |
| Message | Faith requires discipline. | Faith also recognizes the human condition. |
VII. Reward following the period
“He who recites after loses nothing: but not to fulfill the mitzvah, it is considered as one who studies the Torah.”
This seal shows a balanced view rabbinical judaism:
Enforcement has its time, but the intention and the act of learning continue to have spiritual value, even outside the legal framework.
The Mishnah teaches so the connection with the Torah will never be losteven if the technical compliance failure.
VIII. General conclusion
The Mishnah Berachot 1:2 synthesizes three levels of interpretation:
- Halachic: clearly delimits the time of the Shema morning.
- Symbolic: the light and the color represent the spiritual awakening.
- Existential: teaches that each day should begin with an act of awareness and recognition of One.
“From that one can distinguish between the blue and the white” — from the soul you can distinguish between the divine and the earthly — it actually begins the day.
