Daily Halakha - Laws of Prayer, 2nd of Cheshvan 5778

Is it permitted to recite verses or supplications before blessing the Torah blessings?

One should not recite Selichot or supplications before blessing the Torah blessings [Chazon Ovadiah Yamim Noraim, p. 5].

Similarly, one who reads the weekly portion twice with the Aramaic translation once is not permitted to read until blessing the Torah blessings [Responsa Ach Tov VaChesed section 3].

Should one who sleeps for a short time on their bed recite the Torah blessings upon awakening?

One who sleeps a fixed sleep at night after nightfall on their bed, and wakes up to study Torah, whether awakening before midnight or after midnight, must recite the Torah blessings before studying. There is no difference in this matter between one who removed their clothes before sleeping and one who slept in their clothes.

Any sleep on one's bed, even multiple times in one night, even for a short time, is considered a fixed sleep, and requires reciting the Torah blessings [Yalkut Yosef section 47].

Ach Tov VaChesed - Daily Halakha