After thanking Hashem in the brachah of Matir Assurim for renewing in us the control over our limbs when we arise from sleep, we complete the gratitude with the brachah of Zokeif Kefufim. We thank Hashem for helping us stand straight, as our backs were bent while we slept (Avudraham Hashkamas Haboker uBirchos Hashachar). This brachah was instituted based on the words of the passuk (Tehillim 146:8): “Hashem zokeif kefufim.” Some are of the opinion that it was instituted in keeping with the passuk (ibid 145:14): “Somech Hashem lechol hanoflim vezokeif lechol hakefufim” (Peirushei Siddur Hatefillah l’Rokeach 4). In this context it should be noted that early sources cite another brachah that was instituted based on this passuk: “Baruch Atah…Somech Noflim,” but this opinion was not accepted as the practical halachah (see Mishnah Berurah 46:23). The sages said that a person must not walk entirely upright as “melo kol ha’aretz Kevodo” (Yeshayahu 6:3), and one who walks completely erect looks like he is pushing away the Shechinah (Kiddushin 31a; Rashi ibid beginning with ‘malei’; Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 2 6). Nevertheless, it was instituted that we recite “Zokeif Kefufim” because HaKadosh Baruch Hu gave us the ability to stand completely erect, but we refrain from doing so out of deference to Him (Ohel Moshe [Rav Moshe Donat], 44).
A Person Walks With a Straight Back
Some explain this brachah of Zokeif Kefufim to be gratitude for the special virtue that man has over other creatures: At the beginning of Chumash Bereishis (1:26), the passuk states that before man was created, HaKadosh Baruch Hu said to the Angels: ‘Let us make man in our image and in our form.’ Indeed, the creation of man is different than other living creatures, in that man walks erect, like the Heavenly Angels (see Chagigah 16a). In contrast, other animals walk on all fours. The reason is because man has a loftier soul, whose source is beneath the Kisei Hakavod. Therefore, it always strives to elevate the body that tends towards the ground, from where it was taken. The nature is for a creation to be attracted to its source (Sefer Hayashar, Rabbeinu Tam 1; Tzofnas Pa’aneach [Maharima”t] Bereishis).
We than Hashem in Zokeif Kefufim for this tremendous chessed that is renewed each day when we arise from our sleep, that Hashem has elevated us above all other creatures, and created us to stand upright (Yafeh Lalev, 46:10). The Piascezne Rebbe added: “When reciting the brachah of Zokeif Kefufim, one can also have in mind to request: ‘Ribbono shel Olam, I am bound, both in matters of my body and in matters of the soul, under the yoke of physicality and the sitra achara. You are the Zokeif Kefufim – straighten me up and put me on my feet!’” (Derech Hamelech Parashas Beshalach)
