Biblically, the blessing on food is made after eating, and the blessing on the Torah before study. Why is the blessing on the Torah made before learning, while the blessing on eating made afterwards?
One thought is that food is enjoyed by the body; it enjoys food only by tasting it. Therefore the Bracha is made after eating. Torah, however, is appreciated by the mind, who anticipates it in advance. Therefore we make the Bracha beforehand. (Chinuch).
Additionally, the function of blessing before study and doing a Mitzvah is either to prepare the doer to perform the Mitzvah or to establish to all that forthcoming action is a Mitzvah one. This, by definition, is best done beforehand. Blessing on food, however, is thanksgiving, and is best done afterwards.
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