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Why does the Talmud (תלמוד) prescribe a three-stage progression for fighting the yetzer hara instead of starting with the most effective method? The shiur develops a yesod from the generation of Enosh that there are two approaches to correcting wrong behavior: removal versus providing authentic fulfillment. Torah (תורה) study works as 'tavlin' by channeling drives constructively rather than crushing them.
Rabbi Zweig begins by examining a fundamental human struggle - the conflict between what we understand to be right and our inclinations toward the opposite. He introduces the biblical figure Enosh, grandson of Adam, whom the Tikkunei Zohar describes as the source of all righteous souls, despite his seemingly negative portrayal in classical sources. The shiur analyzes a Talmudic teaching from Masechta Brachos about dealing with internal conflict between yetzer tov and yetzer hara. The Talmud (תלמוד) prescribes a three-stage approach: first study Torah (תורה), if unsuccessful then recite Shema, and finally remember one's mortality. Rabbi Zweig questions why one shouldn't begin with the most effective remedy (remembering death) and reconciles this with Akavia ben Mahalalel's teaching that one should constantly contemplate mortality.
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Brachos 5a
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