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Is Birchas Haftorah of Biblical or Rabbinical origin?[1]
The Gemara[2] asks: From where do we learn that Birchas Hatorah is Biblical? As the verse states “As I will call the name of G-d, bring greatness to our G-d”. Many Poskim[3] learn from this Gemara that Birchas Hatorah is a Biblical command. Others[4] however learn it is of Rabbinical origin and the above statement of the Gemara is merely to find support of the Rabbinical decree within scripture.
According to all, women are not Biblically obligated to recite Birchas Hatorah even according to those opinions that hold Birchas Hatorah is Biblical.[5]
[1] See Beir Heiytiv 47/1; Shaareiy Teshuvah 47/1; Kaf Hachaim 47/2; M”B 47/1
[2] Brachos 21a
[3] The Ramban [Mitzvah 15] lists it as one of the 613 Mitzvos. And so rules Rashba [Brachos 48b]; Meiri [21a]; Chinuch 430; Peri Chadash 47; Yad Aaron; Shaagas Aryeh 24; Mor Uketzia; Zekan Aaron 60; The Rebbe learns that seemingly Admur in Shulchan Aruch also holds that it is Biblical. [See Likkutei Sichos 14 p. 148 footnote 7]
How many of the three blessing is Biblical according to this opinion? Once one has said one of the three blessings over Torah he has fulfilled his Biblical obligation. [Peri Chadash ibid; Shaagas Aryeh ibid]
[4] Tzlach Brachos ibid; Rambam as explained in Shaagas Aryeh 24; Pnei Moshe 1/1; Mamar Mordechai 47/1; Levush 47/1; Olas Tamid 47/9; Poskim mentioned in Kaf Hachaim 47/2; all the Poskim listed in the next Q&A which do not permit the blessing to be repeated.
[5] Birkeiy Yosef 47/7 brought in Shaareiy Teshuvah 47/1
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