Rabbi Zweig's Shiurim

Body as Partner or Agent: The Chanukah Message of Shem and Yefes

Why did Shem receive a greater blessing than Yefes when both covered their father's nakedness? The shiur develops the fundamental distinction: Shem acted because it was right—his body was an agent serving his soul. Yefes needed to convince himself it was good for him—his body was a partner requiring persuasion. This principle defines the Greek-Jewish struggle at Chanukah and Adam's original sin.