The power of Birkat haTorah

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ome pasukim of the Torah are “luckier” than others and their frequent repetition has enabled them to become active components in our tefilah experience. The beginning of our parasha, Ha’azinu, contains an example of such an oft-quoted verse: “Ki shame Hashem ekra havu godel l’Elokeinu” (“When I call out the name of the L-rd, ascribe greatness to our G-d”) (Devarim 32:3).

Talmud Yerushalmi, Berachot 7:1 is an early source that suggests our verse serves as the proof text for Birkat haTorah (the Torah blessings): We have examples in the Torah wherein a bracha is recited before a particular act, whereas a blessing is not found after the completion of the act. What is an example of a blessing found in the Torah that precedes a particular act [that is, in the instance of being called to the Torah and Torah study in general]? “Ki shame Hashem ekra havu godel l’Elokeinu.”

This idea is elaborated upon in a more explicit manner in Talmud Bavli, Berachot 21a: Rav Yehudah said: “From where do we know that the birkat haTorah prior to Torah study is from the Torah itself? It is based upon the verse, ‘Ki shame Hashem ekra havu godel l’Elokeinu’.” 

These passages teach us that “Ki shame Hashem ekra havu godel l’Elokeinu” is the origin of the obligation to recite a bracha prior to individual Torah study. This naturally leads us to ask: “Why must Torah study and its public recitation be preceded by a blessing?” I believe we can find an answer to our question by briefly examining a passage found in Talmud Bavli, Nedarim 81a:

“For Rab Judah said in Rab’s name: What is meant by, ‘Who is the wise man, that he may understand this?’ [Sefer Yirmiyahu 9:11; that is, ‘Why were the Land of Israel and the first Beit HaMikdash destroyed in 586 B.C.E.?’] Now, this question was put to the Sages, Prophets, and Ministering Angels, but they could not answer it, until the Almighty Himself did so, as it is written, ‘And the L-rd said, Because they have forsaken my law which I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice, neither walked therein’ (Ibid., 12): But is not ‘have not obeyed my voice” identical with, “neither walked therein?’ — Rab Judah said in Rab’s name: ‘[It means] that they did not first recite a blessing over the Torah’.” (Translation, Soncino Talmud)

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he Ran (Rabbeinu Nissim of Gerona, 1320–1376), basing himself upon Rabbeinu Yonah (13th century), notes that beyond a doubt, the scholars at the time of the destruction of the first Beit haMikdash were ever-occupied in dynamic and on-going Torah study. In addition, as far as the sages, prophets, and ministering angels were collectively concerned, this alone should have been sufficient protection for the Land of Israel and, therefore, it never should have been destroyed. Yet, Hashem knew the absolute truth — the story behind the story. Yes, the Sages of the Sixth Century BCE engaged in vigorous Torah interpretation and analysis, and plumbed its very depths. Unfortunately, however, they did not recite a bracha prior to this act. Why was this such a critical omission? The Ran suggests the following penetrating insight:

The Torah was not important in their eyes to the extent that they believed it was deserving of having a blessing recited prior to its study. This was the case, since they did not study it for its own sake (lishmah) [but rather simply out of sheer self-serving intellectual pleasure.] Therefore, they acted in a dismissive manner regarding the recitation of the bracha. This is what the verse means when it states, “neither walked therein.” This means that the Sages of the time lacked the proper intention in their Torah scholarship and failed to study it for its own sake [that is, as a service to Hashem]. 

 In many ways, the Ran’s interpretation is a spiritual tour de force. He teaches us that even when a mitzvah is performed in the proper manner and in all its details, if it is not done for the purpose of serving Hashem, it amounts to nothing at all. Moreover, as we have seen, it can lead, G-d forbid, to dire consequences.

Therefore, whether we are immersed in learning Torah or the fulfillment of another mitzvah, we must ever remember that we are performing that holy act to serve the Almighty, thereby demonstrating our love and loyalty to Him. With Hashem’s help and guidance and our heartfelt desire, may this be so. V’chane yihi ratzon.