In the Yotzer Ohr prayer, we praise God for creating the light. It then moves on to an interlude about the ministering angels. What does that have to do with the light?
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Is the prayer about light or is it about the new day, in which we discuss the creation of light?– DonielFCommented Jun 25, 2018 at 17:03
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@DonielF it seems to be a blessing on the light. that's why it is said at dawn when the light comes– michaelCommented Jun 26, 2018 at 17:50
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Or maybe it’s said on the day, which is why we say it at dawn, the beginning of the new day. Consider Berachos 11b: “Says Rava, to mention the attribute of day during the night, and the attribute of night during the day. The attribute of the night during the day is good, as we say, ‘Who fashions light and creates dark.’ But where do we find the attribute of the day during the night? Says Abaye, ‘Who rolls light in front of dark and dark in front of light.’” (Con’t)– DonielFCommented Jun 26, 2018 at 18:06
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(Con’t) The Gemara doesn’t say “light” and “dark,” but rather “day” and “night.” Seemingly then the Gemara understands the morning blessing of Yotzer Or and the evening blessing of Hama’ariv Aravim as referring to the day and night, respectively, with the light and dark being symptoms, rather than vice versa.– DonielFCommented Jun 26, 2018 at 18:07
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@DonielF because day is when the light of the sun comes– michaelCommented Jun 27, 2018 at 5:10
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1 Answer
IIRC Rabbi Avigdor Miller זצ"ל used to explain "we discuss how the angels get all excited about the new day, etc."
Answer by: Danny Schoemann