The Babylonian Talmud on the Blessings Surrounding the Shema‘

What blessing does one recite [in the morning—Ed.]? R. Jacob said in the name of R. Oshaya: [The blessing] Who forms light and creates darkness, [who makes peace and creates evil, I am the Lord who does all these things] (Isaiah 45:7). Let him say: Who forms light and creates brightness, [so as not to mention darkness, which has negative connotations]. We say [the blessing] as [the verse] is written [in the Bible]. But if so, [what about] Who makes peace and creates evil? Do we say [this blessing] as it is written? Rather, it is written “evil” and we euphemistically recite “all things” [to avoid mention of evil]. Here, too, let us euphemistically say “brightness” [instead of darkness]. Rather, Rava said: [The reason we recite “Who creates darkness” is] in order to mention the attribute of day at night and the attribute of night during the day, [and thereby unify day and night as different parts of a single entity]. Granted, the attribute of night [is mentioned] during the day, as we say Who forms light and creates darkness, but where do you find the attribute of day [mentioned] at night? [In the blessing over the radiant lights recited at night there is no mention of “Who forms light.”] Abaye said: [Nevertheless, the attribute of day is mentioned at night in the words] “Rolling away light before the darkness and darkness before the light.” And what is [the formula of] the other [blessing recited before the Shema‘]? R. Judah said in the name of Samuel, “An abounding love.” And R. Eleazar instructed his son, R. Pedat, [to] also [say] “An abounding love.” That was also taught: One does not recite “An eternal love”; rather, [one recites] “An abounding love.” And the rabbis say [that one recites] “An eternal love,” and so it says: And an eternal love I have loved you, therefore I have drawn you with kindness (Jeremiah 31:2). [ . . . ]

Rabbah bar Ḥinana Sava said in the name of Rav: One who did not recite “True and firm” [at the beginning of the blessing of redemption that follows Shema‘] in the morning prayer, and “True and trustworthy” in the evening prayer, he did not fulfill his obligation. [An allusion to the difference in formulation between morning and evening is], as it is stated: To declare Your kindness in the morning and Your faith in the nights (Psalm 92:3).