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Why does the Torah (תורה) use "lo tuchal" (you cannot) for returning lost objects rather than "lo ta'aseh" (you shall not)? The shiur develops a yesod that certain mitzvos must become instinctive rather than decisions. Returning lost objects should feel as natural as protecting your own property — his money must be as precious to you as yours.
This shiur analyzes the unusual language the Torah (תורה) uses regarding returning lost objects (hashavas aveida) and consuming ma'aser sheni outside Jerusalem. Rabbi Zweig asks why the Torah says "lo tuchal lehis'alem" (you cannot ignore) and "lo tuchal le'echol" (you cannot eat) instead of standard prohibitive language. The shiur establishes a fundamental yesod: the Torah distinguishes between mitzvos that require conscious decisions versus those that must become instinctive. Rashi (רש"י)'s comment that sending away the mother bird is a "mitzvah (מצוה) kalah" (easy mitzvah) because it costs no money reveals this principle. Any mitzvah involving financial cost requires overcoming the natural human instinct to preserve one's wealth ("chazakah adam omed al mamono" - a person will fight for his money).
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Ki Seitzei 22:1-4
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How could Avrohom keep the entire Torah before it was given, including rabbinical laws? The key insight is that mitzvos represent eternal spiritual realities, not just historical commemorations, so Avrohom could access these truths through his genuine search. His entire 172-year journey—even his early idolatry—retroactively became service of God once he reached ultimate truth.
