 Daybreak (עֲלוֹת הַשַּׁחַר, "Alot Hashachar") refers to when the first rays of light are visible in the morning.Sunrise (הַנֵץ הַחַמָּה, "Hanetz Hachamah") refers to when the ball of the sun rises above the horizon.Technically, it is preferable to pray the morning Shema just before this time and begin the Amidah just afterwards, although this is rarely done nowadays.