The Gemara (Nedarim 81a) relates that the reason that Eretz Yisrael was destroyed, even though they were great scholars and learned Torah all day, was because they weren’t careful to recite Birchos HaTorah before learning (according to Rashi and Ran’s interpretation), and thus showed that they didn’t revere the holiness of the Torah and rather regarded it as any other subject matter to be learned (i.e. science, astronomy, astrology, etc.)

 

Having this attitude towards the Torah is extremely harmful to the Jewish people. Our holy Torah is the vehicle through which each and every Jew merits Olam Haba as well as Olam Hazeh, and isn’t simply another subject matter!

 

The Mishna Berura says that one who isn’t careful to say Birchos HaTorah will G-d forbid not merit to have sons who are Talmidei Chachamim. It is also important to recite the Birchos HaTorah with extreme Simcha (joy) and concentration, and with great thanks to Hashem for choosing us as his people and giving us his most prized possession [The Torah)] (Chayei Adam Klal 9:2). It is also the accepted custom to recite the Birchos HaTorah while standing.

 

2) According to many Poskim (including Ramban, Rashba, Sefer HaChinuch, Rambam [according to the interpretation of the Aruch HaShulchan], and others) Birchos HaTorah are a biblical obligation.

 

Others (including Rambam [according to the interpretation of the Sha’agas Aryeh], Levush, and Ma’amar Mordechai) maintain that it is a rabbinic obligation. We are stringent and worry for the latter opinion, and thus if one isn’t sure if he recited them or if one was awake all night, he/she should not say them him/herself and should rather hear them from someone else or have in mind by the blessing of "Ahava Rabba" (or "Ahavas Olam" according to Nusach sefard) to satisfy the obligation.

 

The following 3 Brachos form "Birchos HaTorah", and each serves a unique purpose:

 

a) ...Asher Kideshanu...La’asok B’Divrei Torah(Birchas HaMitzvos. Necessary as learning Torah is a Mitzvah like many other Mitzvos that require a Bracha before doing them)

 

b) V’Haarev Na...V’Nih’yeh Anachnu V’Tzetza’enu... (Birchas HaNehenin. Necessary as learning Torah and doing Mitzvos is full of sweetness and enjoyment like other pleasurable things in life that require a Bracha before we may partake of the pleasures)

 

c) ...Asher Bachar Banu MiKal HaAmim...(Birchas HaShevach. Necessary as we must praise and thank Hashem for giving us his holy Torah,which is the most valuable present in the entire universe, as it transforms us from lowly creatures into spiritual, lofty vehicles of kedusha etc.)

 

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Our holy sages, the Chazal tell us (:מגילה כ"ח ) תנא דבי אליהו כל השונה הלכות בכל יום מובטח לו שהוא בן עולם הבא, שנאמר הליכות עולם לו, אל תקרי הליכות אלא הלכות - one who studies[ at least two] Halachos daily is assured a portion in Olam Haba-the world to come.

 

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