Gaon On Birchas Hatorah

Last post discussed why one may say a beracha on thinking in learning even though generally there is no beracha on דברים שבלב.  The Steipler (Berachos #14) suggests that there is a difference between a beracha on a mitzvah that’s only Rabbinic vs. the beracha on learning Torah, which is a Torah obligation.  The assertion of the Steipler is that the beracha on learning Torah is a Torah obligation, but that may very well be a disagreement between the Ramban, that counts it a mitzvah vs. the Rambam that does not.  But working with the assumption, I would understand this idea only if the nature of birchas haTorah is different from that of a mitzvah.  There are many that suggest the nature is that of a birchas hashevach, beracha on the cheftah of Torah, some suggest it may even be a birchas hanehinin.  In that case, the difference makes sense.  However, if we assume the nature of birchas haTorah is that of a birchas hamitzvah, why would we differentiate, if anything, the Rabbis should pattern their beracha after the Torah’s example regarding learning Torah?  So, the question is what is the view of the Gra regarding the nature of birchas haTorah?  It would seem that he holds it’s a birchas hamitzvah as we shall demonstrate, which is why I find the Steipler’s answer unsatisfactory. 

The following opinions of the Gaon seem to indicate that in his opinion birchas haTorah is a geder of birchas hamitzvot.  At the end of siman 47, the Gra explains the reason why women say birchas haTorah is because woman can say berachot on any מצות עשה שהזמן גרמא even though they aren’t obligated.  Similarly, even though they are exempt from learning, they can still say a beracha.  Clearly, he is equating the beracha to birchos hamitzvah. The Gaon follows the opinion cited in sif 11 that when one sleeps in the day, he has to make a new birchas haTorah for he has interrupted between his beracha and learning.  It is clear that he doesn’t view it as just a birchas hashevach that can be recited only once a day, but it is a birchas hamitzvah that one’s learning must be attached to.  In Maaseh Rav (and end of siman 46,) the Gaon holds one should say korbanot immediately following birchas haTorah.  Why? Rav Shteurnbrach suggests since the Gaon holds it’s a birchas hamitzvah, one must follow not with a mere recitation of some pessukim and a berasay, but one must follow with a real learning of parshiot haTorah, Mishna and Gemorah, which is covered in korbanot. 

                  מענין לענין, here is a peshat in birchas haTorah based upon the Gra.