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Why didn't Hashem (ה׳) take Bnei Yisrael directly through the Plishtim route? The shiur explores the pasuk "pen yinochem ha'am"—that the people might reconsider when facing war. The deeper issue: two hundred years of slavery created a mentality of dependence, unwilling to take responsibility. Kabbalas HaTorah at Sinai became necessary to transform them from slaves seeking care into servants willing to shoulder responsibility.
This shiur delves into Parshas Beshalach 13:17, examining why Hashem (ה׳) did not lead Bnei Yisrael through the land of the Plishtim despite it being the direct route to Eretz Yisrael. The Torah (תורה) states "pen yinochem ha'am"—lest the nation reconsider when they see war. Rabbi Zweig opens by questioning the seemingly redundant phrase "ki amar Elokim"—why does the Torah need to specify that this was Hashem's perspective? If the Torah is written by Hashem, isn't that already obvious? The analysis deepens when considering that Hashem told Moshe a year earlier at the burning bush that Bnei Yisrael would receive the Torah at Har Sinai. This reveals that Hashem already knew a year in advance that they would not take the direct route through Plishtim territory. The decision was not reactive to current circumstances but part of a deliberate plan from the outset. The question then becomes: what was the fundamental issue that required the detour to Sinai?
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Shemos 13:17 (Parshas Beshalach)
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