Question:
If a man gets up in the middle of the night and after washing his hands wants to spontaneously recite Tehillim and cry Derech Bakasha/Tachanun for whatever Tzar he is aware of, is it necessary to recite Birkat HaTorah first? Thank You.
Answer:
If you are going to say Tehillim or other pesukim from Tanach, it is considered learning, and you should say Birkas Hatorah first. If you are not going to say pesukim but it will only be what you want to “talk to H-shem” then you don’t have to, but it would be a smart thing to do, and when you get up in the morning you wouldn’t say Birkas Hatorah again.
Sources:
M:B 47-29.
