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Why does the Torah (תורה) omit the word "shepherds" when describing the scene at the well, instead depicting the sheep themselves as active agents? The shiur argues that Padan Aram was a society driven purely by money, where people lacked professional pride. Yaakov criticized this attitude, and the Torah highlights Rochel as the exception—a true shepherdess, not merely someone working for profit.
Rabbi Zweig analyzes the unusual language in Parshas Vayeitzei when Yaakov arrives at the well in Padan Aram. The Torah (תורה) repeatedly omits the word "shepherds" from the narrative, creating the absurd impression that Yaakov is conversing with the sheep themselves. Phrases like "they will water the flocks" lack clear antecedents, and the text suggests the sheep roll the stone from the well. Only when Rochel appears does the Torah explicitly identify someone as a shepherd ("ki ro'ah hi"), even though this detail seems redundant. Rashi (רש"י) notes that Yaakov criticized the shepherds, asking why they were not working a full day. But why does the text make Yaakov's criticism indirect, saying "vayomer" rather than "vayomer lahem"? And why would Yaakov tell business owners how to run their enterprises—if the flocks are theirs, they're free to stop early.
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Why does the Midrash connect Pharaoh's expulsion of the Jews to the mitzvah of shiluach hakan? The shiur develops a chiddush that Pharaoh's sin wasn't only drowning the children, but the insensitivity of expelling the parents afterward. The deeper analysis reveals that Pharaoh may have valued the Jews greatly and wanted to control them—making his expulsion an act of tremendous cruelty, not liberation.
Why does Moshe respond to the splitting of the sea with shirah rather than praise or thanksgiving? Rashi's use of "al libo" reveals that shirah is an emotional expression—a response of love to love. When Hashem shows personal care, the only adequate response is "I love You too," not mere gratitude or praise, and this principle applies to all relationships.
Bereishis 29:2-10 (Parshas Vayeitzei)
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