Talmudic University Logo
Rabbi Zweig's Shiurim
Shiurim
Categories
Parshas
Mesechtas
Festivals
Series
Courses
About
Donate
Log InSign Up
Talmudic University LogoRabbi Zweig's Shiurim
ShiurimCategoriesParshasMesechtasFestivalsSeriesCoursesAboutDonate
Log InSign Up

Rabbi Zweig's Shiurim

The Torah of Rabbi Yochanan Zweig, Rosh HaYeshiva of the Talmudic University of Florida, brought online for talmidim, alumni, and friends of the TUF Beis Medrash — in Miami Beach and around the world.

Support the Yeshiva
Jackyzweig@talmudicu.eduTUF Alumni Association

Explore

  • All Shiurim
  • Categories
  • Search
  • About

Learn

  • Parsha
  • Gemara
  • Navi
  • Holidays

Account

  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • My Profile

© 2026Rabbi Zweig's Shiurim. All rights reserved.

Website byMakra.ca
  1. Home
  2. Categories
  3. Halacha

Halacha

הלכה

Jewish law and practice

Dedicate a Shiur in Halacha

L'ilui nishmas a loved one. In honor of a simcha or yahrzeit. As a zechus for a refuah sheleimah. Your dedication helps carry Rabbi Zweig's Torah to learners around the world.

24 shiurim available

Featured Shiur

Torah Concepts · Part 9Audio51:55

The Concept of Kidnapping: Theft vs Robbery in Jewish Law

Why is kidnapping classified as theft (geneivah) rather than robbery (gezeilah) in Jewish law? The distinction turns on whether the crime attacks property rights or personhood itself. Kidnapping's essential sin is converting a human being into merchandise for profit, making it fundamentally about illicit acquisition rather than defying someone's ownership rights.

Listen now

More in Halacha

Audio Only

Marriage and Divorce Laws for Ben Noach

What makes gentile marriage fundamentally different from Jewish marriage according to the Rambam? Gentile marriage operates through commitment rather than kinyan, allowing either party to dissolve it by separation without a get. The shiur analyzes the machlokes between the Rambam and Rabbeinu Tam Dovid about whether a master designating his maidservant for his slave creates true marriage or merely arrangement.

50:22
Listen now
Audio Only

The Bracha of Shehecheyanu by a Bris

Should one recite shehecheyanu at a bris milah when the child experiences pain? The Rambam's timing provides the answer: shehecheyanu is not recited on the painful act of circumcision itself, but on the child's joyful new status as a ba'al bris. This distinction resolves the apparent conflict with those who oppose the blessing due to the child's suffering.

1:40
Listen now
Audio Only
PinchasShiva Asar B'Tammuz, Tisha B'Av

Korban Tamid: Providing Hashem's Daily Meals

Why does the Torah emphasize giving the korban tamid to "meshorsei Hashem" when this detail isn't mentioned for other korbanot? The shiur reveals that korban tamid is uniquely different—it's not about our relationship with Hashem but about providing His daily needs. The Minchas Chinuch shows that we're giving Him breakfast and supper through His servants, making the tamid's cessation on Shivah Asar B'Tammuz not just our loss but His.

17:38
Listen now
Audio Only
Ladies Wed MorningElul, Aseres Yemei Teshuva

Rambam Hilchos Teshuva: Live for Tomorrow - True Focus of Repentance

Why does the Rambam define the mitzvah of teshuva as vidui (confession) rather than internal repentance? The shiur argues that genuine teshuva requires focusing on the victim—God or others—rather than self-improvement. Teshuva means "return" to closeness with Hashem, not merely fixing past mistakes.

40:58
Listen now
Audio Only
Ladies Wed MorningKi SavoRosh Hashanah

Understanding True Teshuvah: Breaking Free from the Past

How can the Rambam require a commitment to never sin again when we know we'll likely fail? The shiur develops a fundamental insight: teshuvah isn't about perfecting the future, but about severing ourselves from our past patterns. A ba'al teshuvah is someone whose future choices aren't driven by yesterday's addictions.

1:14:45
Listen now
Audio Only
Ladies Wed MorningNitzavim, VayeilechRosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur

Confession vs. Repentance: Breaking Free from Spiritual Addiction

What's the difference between confession (vidui) and repentance (teshuvah), and why does the Rambam require that God testify a person will never return to their sin? The shiur develops a profound understanding that teshuvah means breaking spiritual addiction by deciding not to decide anymore in certain areas - creating a complete separation between past and present self.

1:11:23
Listen now
Audio Only
Mincha Maariv

Ammon vs. Yishmael: Understanding Different Forms of Cruelty

Why are converts from Ammon and Moab forbidden to marry into Klal Yisrael, while converts from Yishmael face no such restriction? Despite Yishmael's descendants committing worse acts of cruelty, their actions stem from a sense of victimization and perceived injustice. True cruelty lies in the coldness of Ammon and Moab's indifference to those who had helped them.

7:49
Listen now
Audio Only
Mincha MaarivRe'eh

Ir HaNidachas — Divine War vs. Divine Justice

Why does an individual who worships idols receive sekilah while an entire idolatrous city receives the lighter punishment of cherev? The shiur develops that ir haNidachas operates under wartime rules rather than judicial process. When a majority rebels against God, He responds with war — using the king's sword and including collateral damage.

4:26
Listen now
Audio Only
Mincha MaarivMishpatim, Ki Seitzei

Assault vs. Battery in Halacha: Is Raising Your Hand a Lav?

Is raising your hand against someone (assault) merely a "shem rasha" or is it a Torah prohibition that carries malkus? The shiur analyzes whether the lav applies only when you actually hit (battery) or whether threatening counts as the beginning of the prohibited act. Targum Yonasan ben Uziel's reading of "arba'im yakenu"—that the fortieth malkah is lifting the hand without striking—suggests that the gesture itself constitutes a hakah and triggers the lav.

8:27
Listen now
Audio Only
Moreh Nevuchim · Part 5

Curses vs. Physical Harm: Understanding the Power of Klalah

Why does cursing receive malkut while physical striking only requires monetary compensation? The Rambam reveals that klalah is not mere insult but spiritual striking with real power to harm a person's essence. Unlike physical blows that can be blocked, curses penetrate directly to one's kishkes and invoke divine power against the target.

Feb 4, 201526:01
Listen now
Audio Only
Shiva Asar B'Tammuz, Tisha B'Av

Shiva Asar B'Tammuz vs Tisha B'Av: Serving God vs Father-Child Relationship

Why does the Rambam list five separate tragedies for each of these fast days rather than having them occur together? The shiur develops a yesod distinguishing two aspects of our relationship with Hashem: King versus Father. Shiva Asar B'Tammuz mourns the loss of divine service, while Tisha B'Av mourns the destruction of our spiritual home and Father-child relationship.

Jun 30, 20131:03:41
Listen now
Audio Only
Relationships · Part 14

Marriage: The Framework for Spiritual Growth

Why do couples fight about religious observance - minyan attendance, learning time, or dress standards? The shiur shows from Rambam's Hilchos Ishus that these are symptoms, not causes - healthy marriages built on mutual honor and selflessness naturally produce spiritual growth and religious harmony.

Mar 5, 201327:30
Listen now
Audio Only

Marriage Peace: Overcoming Depression and Anger in the Home

Why does halacha prohibit being depressed or angry in one's home? The shiur connects this to Rabbi Akiva's principle that doing chesed for others heals our own emotional wounds. Rather than bringing workplace stress home, focusing immediately on making one's spouse feel appreciated creates genuine shalom bayis while paradoxically improving one's own mood.

Jul 21, 201155:54
Listen now
Audio Only

Rambam Hilchos Shabbos: Marriage Partnership in Hadlakas Neiros

Why does the Rambam require a husband to always instruct his wife to light Shabbos candles, and why must this be done 'b'nachas'? The Rambam views hadlakas neiros as a joint mitzvah requiring true partnership. Speaking 'b'nachas' means presenting instructions like setting a table - allowing choice rather than coercing compliance, creating shalom bayis through collaboration.

Jul 14, 201158:28
Listen now
Audio Only

Rambam's Laws of Marriage: Financial Obligations and Community Standards

What does the Rambam mean when he requires husbands to honor their wives financially 'kefi hamono' rather than 'kefi kocho'? The shiur distinguishes between giving within one's current means versus sacrificing one's lifestyle, showing that prioritizing a wife's needs communicates commitment without requiring financial strain. When wives feel genuinely prioritized, they often choose to redirect resources to family and community needs.

Jul 7, 201147:23
Listen now
Audio Only

Kavod in Marriage: Honoring One's Wife More Than Oneself

What does it mean for a husband to honor his wife 'yoser migufo' - more than himself? The shiur develops the principle that this requires a special level of kavod that demonstrates reverence, showing one's wife that she has enabled him to reach his potential. True marital honor means conveying that she has made him more than he could have been alone.

Jun 30, 201155:14
Listen now
Audio Only
Friday MorningShelach

The Mitzvah of Challah: Independence and Self-Respect Through Divine Process

Why are we obligated in challah when we begin kneading rather than when the bread is finished? The shiur develops that challah isn't about thanking God for bread, but for giving us the process to create our basic sustenance. This mitzvah teaches the fundamental life principle that independence and self-respect come from taking care of our own minimal needs.

Jun 4, 201044:48
Listen now
Audio Only
Rabbaynu Yonah · Part 6

Rambam on Teshuvah - Deathbed Repentance and Proper Remorse

Why does deathbed repentance require special scriptural validation when the Rambam already established that imperfect teshuvah works? The answer reveals that deathbed teshuvah lacks kabalah al ha'atid, requiring unique Divine mercy that judges the person's present state as their entire relationship with Hashem. True charatah must focus on abandoning Hashem rather than personal disappointment or consequences.

Sep 14, 200823:23
Listen now
Audio Only
Asara B'Teves

Four Stages of Galus: Understanding the Siege of Asara B'Teves

Why is a mere siege (Asara B'Teves) significant enough to warrant its own fast day? The shiur develops that galus occurs in four stages that reverse the four languages of geulah. The siege represents the loss of the highest level - v'lakachti - which undoes our freedom and connection to Torah.

Jan 10, 200648:25
Listen now
Audio Only

Birkas Eirusin vs. Birkas Lechinso L'Bris: The Rambam's Timing Requirements

Why does the Rambam require birkas eirusin before the marriage ceremony but lechinso l'bris after the milah? The shiur develops a chiddush that these brachos serve different purposes - one on the ma'aseh hamitzvah itself, requiring beforehand timing, the other on becoming a baal bris, which can be made afterward.

Nov 22, 200552:25
Listen now
Audio Only
Lawyers · Part 26

The Deeper Meaning of Comforting the Mourner

Why does comforting mourners receive special recognition compared to other forms of chesed? The mourner sits like royalty because genuine comfort requires approaching with duty rather than generosity, creating purer kindness without self-gratifying elements. This models how all chesed should feel owed to recipients rather than given as gifts.

Jan 21, 199227:37
Listen now
Audio Only
Mens Wed Morning MussarMishpatim, Emor

Two Approaches to Murder Laws: Social Justice vs. Divine Image

Why does the Torah present two different formulations of murder laws that seem to require correction? The shiur distinguishes between social justice laws (Mishpatim) based on proportional restitution and divine image laws (Emor) that treat attacking another person as an assault on God's tzelem Elokim. This framework reshapes contemporary issues from abortion to medical ethics.

Jun 21, 198938:30
Listen now
Audio Only
The Ten Commandments · Part 8Rosh Hashanah

The Concept of Oaths - Third Commandment Analysis

Why does the Third Commandment use "lo sisah" (don't elevate) for oaths, and why is it punished so severely? The analysis reveals that human speech uniquely expresses either our animal needs or our divine soul - the "nishmas chaim" God breathed into us. False or unnecessary oaths misuse our highest spiritual faculty, wasting the sacred power to express our eternal essence.

Jan 24, 198344:35
Listen now