Thus was also taught (in a baraita): One does not recite: "An eternal love" (ahavat olam) but rather "An expansive love." And the Rabbis say: "An eternal love", and so it says: “And an eternal love I have loved you, therefore I have drawn you with affection/compassion” (Jeremiah 31:2).
(2) Hashem revealed Himself to me from afar. I have loved you with an eternal love (ahavat 'olam ahavtikh); therefore I have drawn you in affection/compassion.
What is the single blessing? It is like when Rabbi Abba and Rabbi Yosei bar Abba happened upon a certain place. They asked them: What is the single blessing? They did not have an answer. They came and asked Rav Matnah, and he did not have an answer. They came and asked Rav Yehudah. He told them: Shemu-el said as follows: "An abounding love."
ברכה שנייה אהבת עולם: הגה וי"א אהבה רבה (וכן נוהגין בכל אשכנז) ואינה פותחת בברוך מפני שהיא סמוכה לברכת יוצר אור ואם היא פוטרת ברכת התורה ע"ל סימן מ"ז:
(1) The second blessing is 'Ahavat Olam' ("Eternal love"). Comment by the Rema: There are those who say 'Ahavah Rabbah' ("Great love"), and this is in fact the custom in all lands of Ashkenaz. It does not start with the word 'Barukh', since it immediately follows the 'Yotzer Or' blessing...
(7) It is not because you are the most numerous of peoples that Hashem desired you and chose you—indeed, you are the smallest of peoples; (8) but it was out of Hashem's love for you and observance of the oath He made to your ancestors that Hashem freed you with a mighty hand and rescued you from the house of bondage, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt.