During "Shacharit", two blessings are recited before the "Shema" and one after the "Shema". There is a question in Jewish law as to whether these blessings are "on" the "Shema", or "surrounding" the "Shema". The conclusion that has been drawn is that they are "surrounding" the "Shema", because the structure is similar to that of blessings of the Torah, and there is doubt as to whether such blessings would actually "enhance" the "Shema". The two blessings that are recited before the "Shema" are Yotzer ohr and Ahava Rabbah/Ahavat Olam. The blessing after is known as Emet Vayatziv.