The Unique Formulation of Birchot Hatorah

In Birchot HaTorah, we formulate the berachah in a way that is totally unique for a
birchat hamitzvah. We ask God to make the words of Torah sweet to us, that we find the
learning of Torah meaningful and enjoyable. We never incorporate such a request in
our birchat hamitzvah. Why is this an exception? What does this request have to do with
the commandment, such that it is included in this blessing?         
The answer to this puzzle is implicit in the approach of the Or Sameach, in Hlchot
Talmud Torah.  He says (based on theTalmud) that the Torah does not specify how
much Torah we need it learn each day, as it varies from individual to individual. For this
reason, the Talmud in Menachot (99b) says that Yehoshua was given the blessing to
learn day and night, as learning Torah was very dear to him. How great our obligation to
learn Torah is depends on how much we gain from learning. That being the case, we
can understand why we formulate the blessing on learning Torah as we do.
When it comes in any other mitzvah, our appreciation for it has no impact on our degree
of obligation. There is, therefore, no reason to include a request for our finding the
activity meaningful in our blessing. By contrast, in the case of learning Torah, we are
obligated in proportion in our appreciation for the Talmud Torah. For this reason, we
include a prayer that we appreciate Torah into our birchat hamitzvah We are asking for
a greater level of Obligation, and this is relevant to the blessing.
In light of this, we can understand what the Talmud Says in Berachot (11b): Asher
bachar bannu - the blessing that God chose us and gave us his Torah is labelled the
best of the blessings on learning Torah. Why is this blessing deemed superior? What is
the advantage of this blessing? Once again, the Or Sameach’s point is the key to this
mystery.
If we understand that the Birchot HaTorah deal with our appreciation for learning Torah,
we can begin to see the advantage of this blessing. As we saw, we ask God to make
the words of Torah sweet for us. The truth is that the sweetness of Torah is not really
accessible for many people, much of the time. The beginner who is struggling to
understand the basic translation of to the texts is far removed from the dazzling depths
of the Torah. How can he appreciate learning it-and thereby be able to reach a greater
level of Obligation?
The answer is found in the greatest of the Birchot Hatorah.  It contains the universal key
to appreciating learning Torah. We may not all be able to- at all times- appreciate the
depth and beauty of the Torah that we learn. We all can, however, always appreciate
the privilege of studying God's Torah. By  focusing on the fact that are  are privileged to
be chosen to receive it, and by understanding the infinite value of what we are
attempting to understand, we can deepen our appreciation for Torah- and thereby
increase the level of our obligation. For this reason, Asher bachar bannu is the greatest
of the Birchot HaTorah.