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Why does the Hebrew word "viddui" mean both confession and thanksgiving? The shiur develops that true teshuvah requires changing our emotional perspective through gratitude. Only by constantly remembering what we owe Hashem (ה׳) can confession become meaningful and lead to genuine change.
This shiur explores the dual meaning of the Hebrew word "viddui," which serves as both confession and thanksgiving, examining why these seemingly opposite concepts share the same linguistic root. Rabbi Zweig demonstrates this duality through two examples from Parshas Ki Savo: the recitation accompanying bikkurim (first fruits) called "Viddui Bikkurim," which is actually a thanksgiving for Jewish history rather than confession, and "Viddui Maaser," where one declares having fulfilled all tithing obligations perfectly. The central thesis emerges that confession without gratitude is merely empty lip service. Rabbi Zweig cites a Midrash distinguishing between wicked people who are controlled by their hearts and righteous people who control their hearts, explaining that all emotions stem from intellectual perspective. When we change our perspective about a situation, our emotional response automatically changes—illustrated through the example of feeling angry at someone who ignores you until learning they've suffered a tragedy.
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Parshas Ki Savo - Viddui Bikkurim and Viddui Maaser
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