Every morning, we
recite Birkot Ha'Torah – a series of blessings over Torah learning. This series consists of three different
Berachot.
The text of the first Beracha
resembles that of other blessings recited over Misvot. We thank Hashem "Asher Kideshanu Be'misvotav
Be'sivanu Al Dibre Torah" – who commanded us to study Torah. Just like we recite a Beracha over other
Misvot – such as over the Misva of Sisit, the Misva of Tefillin, Netilat
Yadayim, and many others – we likewise recite a Beracha over the Misva of Torah
learning, which is the most important of all the Misvot that we perform. This first Beracha, then, is a standard Birkat
Ha'misva – blessing recited over a Misva.
In the second Beracha,
we beseech Hashem to make the words of Torah "sweet" and enjoyable for us and
for all Am Yisrael ("Ve'Ha'areb Na Hashem Elokenu Et Dibreh Toratecha
Be'finu…"). We ask that the experience
of Torah learning should be uplifting and exhilarating, and not a burdensome
task that we do only because we are required to. The Rebbe of Sochatchov (Rav Avraham
Borenstein, 1838-1910), in the introduction to his work Igleh Tal, laments the
fact that many people mistakenly assume that enjoying Torah study undermines
the sincerity of the Misva. They think
if one receives enjoyment and satisfaction from the experience, then he loses
the element of "Li'shmah" – learning Torah "for its sake," purely for the Misva. In their view, the highest level of Torah
learning is studying without any enjoyment, without enthusiasm, learning the
material solely for the sake of fulfilling the Misva. The Rebbe of Sochatchov writes that this is a
grave mistake, as to the contrary, enjoyment is an integral component of the
Misva of Torah learning. The Misva is
not only to learn Torah – but to reach the point where learning Torah is
thrilling, and a source of immense joy and satisfaction. The Rebbe of Sochatchov explains that when a
person enjoys learning, then the material he learns is fully absorbed into his
being, and transforms him. The Zohar
teaches that when a person learns with joy and enthusiasm, this experience has
the effect of empowering and emboldening his Yeser Tob (good inclination), so
it can overcome his Yeser Ha'ra (evil inclination). Indeed, many stories are told of great Sages
who exuded unbridled joy when learning Torah.
When they arrived at a new understanding or new insight, they would
erupt in song and dance to celebrate. Of
course, we are required to learn even when it does not provide us with joy and
satisfaction, but we must always strive to experience the joy and sweetness of
Torah. Thus, in the second of the three
Birkot Ha'Torah, we ask Hashem to make Torah learning enjoyable for us, so we
can observe this precious Misva at the very highest level.
In the third blessing
of Birkot Ha'Torah, we express our gratitude to Hashem "who has chosen us from
among all the nations, and has given us His Torah." Torah is the greatest of all gifts, enabling
us to access the divine wisdom and connect to Hashem, and so we recite this
Beracha to thank Hashem for this extraordinary gift, the privilege to study His
Torah.
A number of writers
addressed the question of why we do not recite a Beracha after we learn Torah,
just as we recite Birkat Ha'mazon or a Beracha Aharona after eating. If we recite a Beracha before we enjoy the
delight of Torah learning – the way we recite a Beracha before enjoying food –
then why do we not recite a Beracha afterward – the way we recite a Beracha
after enjoying food?
The Rashba (Rav Shlomo
Ben Aderet of Barcelona, 1235-1310) answers, very simply, that the Sages did
not institute the recitation of a Beracha after the performance of a
Misva. They established Berachot to be
recited before the observance of certain Misvot, but not afterward. There are several Misvot enacted by the Sages
for which they instituted Berachot to be recited afterward – such as Megilla
reading, which is followed by the Beracha of "Ha'rab Et Ribenu" – but we never
find a Beracha recited after the fulfillment of a Biblical obligation.
The Bet Yosef offers
an additional answer, explaining that one never truly finishes learning Torah.
Whenever we are not learning Torah, we are tending to our necessary affairs
with the intention of returning to our Torah study as soon as possible. We don't finish learning – we only take
temporary breaks and then resume our studies.
Therefore, there cannot be a Beracha to be recited when one finishes
learning.
