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Why does the Torah (תורה) call the declaration of proper tithing a "vidui" (confession) when the person claims to have done everything correctly? The shiur develops that vidui is not self-focused confession but an accounting to God. This reframes both religious and secular morality from tail-driven self-interest to head-driven divine obligation.
The shiur begins with a compelling question from Parshas Ki Savo: Why does the Mishna call the declaration of proper tithing "vidui" (confession) when the person is stating he did everything correctly? After rejecting the Sforno's answer about subtle reference to the Golden Calf, Rabbi Zweig develops a profound distinction between secular confession and Jewish vidui that has implications for leadership, ethics, and personal morality. The shiur introduces this theme through the pasuk "God will make you a head and not a tail" (Devarim 28:13). Addressing Nachmanides' question about the redundancy, Rabbi Zweig explains that one can simultaneously be a head and a tail - leaders who appear to lead but actually just follow public opinion are "heads" acting as "tails." True leadership means directing people toward what ought to be, not pandering to what they want.
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Parshas Ki Savo, Devarim 28:13
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