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Why does saying Vayechulu on Shabbos (שבת) make us partners with God, while saying it Wednesday has no such effect? The shiur develops that Shabbos gives us the unique power to actually empower the Divine through speech. This empowerment extends to blessing children and strengthening marriages on Shabbos in ways impossible during the week.
Rabbi Zweig addresses the challenge of making Shabbos (שבת) meaningful beyond just better food and no electronics. He begins with a puzzling Talmudic statement: when we recite Vayechulu on Friday night, we become God's partners in creation and two angels escort us home. Yet these words are equally true any day - so why is Shabbos different? The shiur explores a fundamental principle about human creation and empowerment. Using the famous Septuagint translation commissioned by King Ptolemy, Rabbi Zweig examines why the Jewish scholars changed the phrase 'asher lo tzivisi' (which I did not empower) regarding idols to 'which you shall not serve.' The literal Hebrew suggests idols have powers God didn't create, seemingly contradicting monotheism.
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Parshas Nitzavim-Vayeilech
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