In Maseches Brachos, the Gemara (21a) cites a source in the Torah for the obligation of Birchas HaTorah, from the passuk (Devarim 32:3): "Ki Shem Hashem ekra havu godel l’Elokeinu." Rashi explains (ibid ad loc. Ki) that in this passuk, Moshe Rabbeinu said to Am Yisrael: "Ki Shem Hashem ekra," when You say Hashem’s Name in Birchas HaTorah, you should "havu godel," give greatness to Hashem by answering amen.
In light of Rashi’s words, the Pri Migadim (Eshel Avraham 215 6; Teivas Gomeh Ha’azinu) rules that just like Birchas HaTorah derived from the beginning of the passuk "Ki Shem Hashem ekra," is a mitzvas aseh d’Oraisa, so, too, answering amen after it, which is derived from the end of the passuk "Havu godel l’Elokeinu" is a mitzvas aseh d’Oraisa.
In this segment, we will not expound on the general halachic aspects that are derived from this significant halachic ruling, but rather in the wondrous knowledge that can be derived from it: Each morning, even before saying Birchos Hashachar bechavrusa, we can merit a mitzvas aseh d’Oraisa by answering amen after Birchos HaTorah. An allusion to this concept can be brought from the nusach of the request that we say in Birchas HaTorah: "Venihiyeh...vetze’etzaeinu...Amcha Bais Yisrael..." It is for good reason that the word used is "tze’etzaeinu" and not "zareinu," or any other word that denotes offspring. It is to remind us over and over the letters צא, which are numerically equivalent to amen, and thus to remind us of the virtue of answering amen to this brachah, which is a mitzvas aseh d’Oraisa. In this vein, we can also explain the words that follow: "Kulanu Yodei Shemecha," as an allusion to answering amen, because amen is the numerical equivalent of the two Holy Names, Hav-yah and Adnus.
We all strive and invest our energies and resources to merit to see a dor yesharim mevorach. If we will be strict to give respect to Birchas HaTorah, and to say it completely, like the other Birchos Hashachar, aloud, with kavanah and bechavrusa, then our request: "Venihiyeh anachnu vetze’etzaeinu...yodei Shemecha velomdei Sorasecha..." will surely not be turned away.
Good Shabbos
Yaakov Dov Marmurstein
