Birkot Ha'shahar – the series of blessings that we recite each morning – appear to fall under the category of "Misvot Aseh She'ha'zman Gerama," meaning, Misvot that apply only at certain times. After all, although different views exist as to precisely by when these Berachot must be recited, there is a clear consensus that they must be recited specifically during the day. One view requires reciting Birkot Ha'shahar by the end of the fourth Halachic hour of the day, another view maintains that they must be recited by Hasot (Halachic midday), and the generally accepted opinion is that they must be recited before sundown. Either way, this requirement is limited to a specific time-frame. As such, we should, seemingly, apply the rule exempting women from "Misvot Aseh She'ha'zman Gerama," such that women should be exempt from the Birkot Ha'shahar obligation. Indeed, the Mishna Berura writes that women are exempt from this requirement, but he adds that Ashkenazic women may recite these Berachot voluntarily. Ashkenazic practice follows the opinion of Rabbenu Tam (France, 1100-1171) allowing those exempt from a Misva to recite the Beracha over the Misva if they wish to perform the Misva. Thus, for example, an Ashkenazic woman who wishes to take the four species on Sukkot, even though she is exempt, may recite the Beracha of "Al Netilat Lulab" over this Misva. By the same token, the Mishna Berura writes, Ashkenazic women may recite Birkot Ha'shahar if they so desire. According to this line of reasoning, Sephardic women should not recite the morning blessings. Sephardic practice does not allow the recitation of a Beracha when one voluntarily performs a Misva from which he or she is exempt. Perhaps, then, we should conclude that Sephardic women may not recite Birkot Ha'shahar. However, Hacham Bension Abba Shaul (Jerusalem, 1924-1998) ruled that women may, in fact, recite Birkot Ha'shahar, distinguishing between these Berachot and Berachot recited over a Misva which one performs voluntarily. The text of Berachot recited over the performance of a Misva thanks Hashem who "has commanded us" ("Ve'sivanu") to perform the given Misva. Sephardic custom does not allow reciting this Beracha when performing a Misva voluntarily for the simple reason that the individual cannot say "Ve'sivanu" about a Misva that he or she was not commanded to observe. The morning blessings, by contrast, praise and express gratitude to Hashem for the gifts He has granted us, such as the restoration of our souls in the morning, the ability to see, the ability to walk, and so on. These blessings, of course, are no less relevant to women than to men, and so there is no reason why a woman should not be allowed to recite these Berachot. Hacham Ovadia Yosef concurred with this ruling, but for a different reason – noting the minority opinion among the Poskim that one may recite Birkot Ha'shahar even after sundown, in the evening. This was the view of the Vilna Gaon (1720-1797) and a small number of other Halachic authorities. According to this opinion, there is no time when the Birkot Ha'shahar obligation does not apply, and thus it does not fall under the category of time-bound Misvot. Hence, women are included in the obligation. (This rationale requires further clarification, because Hacham Ovadia himself does not follow the minority opinion of the Vilna Gaon allowing the recitation of Birkot Ha'shahar after sundown. This question was posed by Rav Moshe Ha'levi, in his work Birkat Hashem.) Regardless, the accepted view is that women are required to recite Birkot Ha'shahar. Of course, they do not recite the Beracha "She'lo Asani Isha," which men recite to thank Hashem for not creating them as a woman. As men are bound by more Misvot than women, and they thus have more opportunities for serving Hashem, they are required each morning to recite this Beracha and thank Hashem for these additional opportunities. The Shulhan Aruch writes that women recite instead "Baruch She'asani Ki'rsono" – "Blessed is He who made me according to His will." This Beracha should be recited without "Hashem Elokenu Melech Ha'olam." In reciting this blessing, the woman gives thanks for her special nature, that Hashem created her as an especially refined being who does not require the same number of Misvot as men need in order to perfect herself and live a spiritually meaningful and accomplished life. Summary: Women are required to recite Birkot Ha'shahar each morning. Instead of the Beracha "She'lo Asani Isha," they recite, "Bar uch She Asani Kirsono ," wit hout "Hashem Elokenu Melech Ha'olam."