Q Thank you! Quick question…I have been trying to say “Mizmor l’Soda” (Tehillim 100) after hearing good news for many years now. This morning, I had done my negel vasser (washing of hands after awakening), but not my morning brachos and I heard good news that I had been davening for and I automatically said Tehillim 100 before saying the bracha on Torah. Should I have waited until after morning brachos, right?

A. Although Poskim disagree if women have to recite the blessing for the Torah, since after all they have to learn the laws that apply to them. They also daven and hence recite words of Torah and are also encouraged to learn the written Torah parts.

Following the above Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 47: 14) rules that women recite Birchas Hatorah and according to the Levush they may even recite the brocho for men. However, most Poskim maintain that they are not obliged to recite that brocho. Still some recommend they should. (see Piskei Teshuvos 47: 18).

In your case you were permitted to recite Mizmor Letoda early on as is your custom when hearing good news.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a.