1. The Practice of Saying Modeh Ani
The very first prayer we recite in the morning, immediately upon awakening, is modeh ani—I thank You. In this short prayer, we thank Hashem for returning our soul to us after sleep. Notably, the words of modeh ani do not contain any of Hashem’s names that are forbidden to be uttered in a state of impurity. This is significant because one may only mention Hashem’s name when they are spiritually pure and physically clean. If a person is tamei—impure—they cannot say a blessing that includes Hashem’s name.
The reason we are permitted to say modeh ani immediately upon waking is precisely because it does not include any of Hashem’s names. This allows us to express gratitude right away, even before washing our hands or becoming ritually pure.
2. Historical Background: Modeh Ani and Elokai Neshama
In the time of the Gemara, during the era of the Talmud, the prayer of modeh ani was not recited. Instead, the only prayer said upon waking was Elokai neshama shenatata bi—My God, the soul You have placed within me. This blessing follows after one says modeh ani and washes their hands. Both prayers essentially express gratitude to Hashem for returning our soul each morning.
This raises a question: Why did they not say modeh ani in Talmudic times? And why do we today recite both prayers—modeh ani first and then Elokai neshama? The answer lies in understanding the requirements for mentioning Hashem’s name and the spiritual state of people in different generations.
3. The Principle of Thanking Hashem at First Opportunity
The Rebbe explains that a person should thank Hashem at the very first opportunity available. Since we are expressing gratitude for having our soul returned—the greatest pleasure and kindness we experience daily—we must do so as soon as possible after awakening.
This concept is similar to making a blessing over food: one must recite a bracha—blessing—before enjoying any benefit from this world. To enjoy without first making a blessing is considered taking from Hashem without permission. The proper order is always to bless before benefiting.
However, there are situations where it is impossible to make the blessing beforehand—for example, while asleep one cannot thank Hashem for waking up! In such cases, we make sure to offer thanks at the earliest possible moment upon awakening.
4. Practical Examples: Blessings Before and After Purification
An example illustrating this principle is the blessing made before immersing in a mikvah (ala tevila). One cannot make this blessing before immersion because they are not yet pure enough to recite it. Instead, as soon as purification is achieved through immersion, they immediately make the blessing at that first opportunity.
The same logic applies when thanking Hashem for returning our soul: since we cannot say a full blessing with Hashem’s name while still impure or before washing hands (negel vasser), we say modeh ani, which omits His name but allows us to express gratitude right away.
5. Why Both Prayers Are Necessary Today
The fact that modeh ani does not include Hashem’s name means it is not considered a complete blessing (bracha gemura). Therefore, while it allows us to thank Hashem immediately upon waking, it does not replace the need for a full blessing once we are able.
This explains why after saying modeh ani, as soon as we have washed our hands and become ritually clean, we proceed to say Elokai neshama shenatata bi. In this second prayer, we explicitly mention Hashem’s name: “Baruch ata Hashem hamachazir neshamos levgarim mesim”—Blessed are You, Hashem, Who returns souls to lifeless bodies.
6. Differences Between Our Practice and That of Talmudic Times
This also clarifies why in Talmudic times they did not recite modeh ani. In those generations, people were considered spiritually elevated and would become clean immediately upon rising. They could therefore say Elokai neshama shenatata bi, including Hashem’s name, right away without delay or concern for impurity.
Todays reality is different: since most people are not immediately clean upon waking and must wash their hands first (negel vasser) before mentioning Hashem’s name in a blessing, our practice is to first say modeh ani, expressing thanks without His name at the earliest moment possible. Then at the next opportunity—after washing—we complete our thanks with Elokai neshama shenatata bi, now including His holy name as required by halacha.