No community start suggestion yet.
How can people 'war against God' without being dismissed as insane? The shiur develops a yesod from the Rambam (רמב"ם) about spiritual intermediaries: people mistakenly believe God has delegated independent power to celestial forces, making them think they can fight these 'separate' powers. The suspension of the sun and moon during Joshua's battle demonstrates that all forces are direct manifestations of divine unity, not independent powers to be conquered.
This shiur addresses a fundamental question that emerges from the conquest narratives: what does it mean for people to 'fight God,' and why aren't such people simply dismissed as insane? Rabbi Zweig examines three historical instances where people 'warred against God': the Tower of Babel, Pharaoh's resistance to the Exodus, and the Canaanite kings who united against Joshua and the Jewish people. The shiur explores why these conflicts required miraculous divine intervention, particularly the suspension of the sun and moon, and the phenomenon of stones falling from heaven. The analysis begins with the Rambam (רמב"ם)'s explanation of how idol worship developed. Originally, all people recognized that Hashem (ה׳) created the world, but they believed they needed to approach God through intermediaries - celestial bodies and spiritual powers that served as a hierarchy between humanity and the divine. This evolved into worship of the intermediaries themselves, and eventually into the belief that these powers could be fought and dominated by human beings.
Looking for the full summary?
Full access is available to members of the TUF Alumni Association or the Yam Hagadol Foundation.
Already a member? Let the admin know!
Looking for the full transcript?
Full access is available to members of the TUF Alumni Association or the Yam Hagadol Foundation.
Already a member? Let the admin know!
Dedicate a Shiur in Navi
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.
Up Next in this Series
Why would Hashem use seemingly random lots to divide Eretz Yisrael among the tribes? The goral reveals a dual ownership structure: all tribes collectively own the entire land, while individual portions are assigned through lots. This explains why the specific selection doesn't matter spiritually - since everyone owns everything collectively, the particular division is secondary to the fundamental shared ownership.
Why was establishing cities of refuge the first priority after conquering Eretz Yisrael, and why did Moshe establish eastern cities with no immediate legal effect? The primary purpose wasn't providing sanctuary but creating a 'presence of law' that prevents murder by instilling respect for human life. This explains the Torah's emphasis on crime prevention through education rather than deterrence through punishment.
Why did Hashem insist on giving us Eretz Yisrael rather than creating a new land for us? The shiur explores a Midrash that claims Hashem wanted to show His power by defeating our enemies. This creates an ongoing divine commitment to protect us in a hostile environment where the nations perceive us as thieves of their land.
Why did Shlomo HaMelech combine intellect, physical pleasure, and chukim after each approach individually failed? The shiur develops that humans must acknowledge both their physical nature and spiritual capacity simultaneously. Chukim (called "foolishness" here) teach us to act for internal meaning rather than external approval.
Why does Kohelet frame foolish words differently as beginning versus end? The shiur develops a yesod distinguishing empowering communication from controlling communication. Manipulation destroys human dignity by removing free choice, making it worse than giving bad advice that preserves bechirah.
How can Israel be both "black" and "beautiful" simultaneously, as described in Shir HaShirim? The shiur uses Rashi's insight to reveal a fundamental difference between divine and human relationships. While people focus on recent failures and forget past goodness, God sees Israel's essential beauty intact even after transgressions like the Golden Calf.
