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Why are women obligated in Birchas HaTorah according to the Magen Avrohom, while the Vilna Gaon exempts them? The shiur argues that the Rambam (רמב"ם) views Birchas HaTorah not as part of Talmud (תלמוד) Torah (תורה), but as fulfilling 'le'ovdo' - serving Hashem (ה׳) through Torah study. This explains why women, though exempt from formal Torah learning, are still obligated in Torah as avodah.
This shiur presents a comprehensive analysis of the halachic foundations underlying Birchas HaTorah, focusing on a fundamental machlokes between the Magen Avrohom and the Vilna Gaon. The Magen Avrohom rules that women are obligated to recite Birchas HaTorah, explaining that since women are required to learn certain halachos (like those pertaining to their obligations), they must make this blessing. The Gaon challenges this position, arguing that women are exempt from Talmud (תלמוד) Torah (תורה) according to the verse 'u'limadtem es bneichem' - they are thus not obligated in the fundamental mitzvah (מצוה) requiring the blessing. Rabbi Zweig introduces a revolutionary approach to resolve this dispute by examining the Rambam (רמב"ם)'s classification of Birchas HaTorah. Unlike the Ramban (רמב"ן) who views it as part of the mitzvah of Talmud Torah, Rabbi Zweig argues that the Rambam considers Birchas HaTorah as fulfilling the mitzvah of 'le'ovdo' (serving Hashem (ה׳)). This explains why the Rambam places these halachos in Hilchos Tefillah rather than Hilchos Talmud Torah - both tefillah and Torah study with proper intent are expressions of divine service.
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Berachos 4b
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Should one learn Torah full-time trusting in Divine providence, or combine learning with work? The shiur distinguishes between Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai's approach of complete separation from worldly concerns versus Rabbi Shmuel's view that proper work itself becomes part of Torah. The key insight: true emunah means learning without demanding sustenance from either Hashem or community, unlike having a 'contract' expecting payment for learning.
