Parashat Haazinu: Understanding Naval - Entitlement vs. Torah Responsibility

Full Summary

Rabbi Zweig begins by examining the word 'Naval' in Parashat Haazinu, connecting it to the Mishnah (משנה) in Rosh Hashanah which identifies the Aseret Yemei Teshuva (תשובה) (Ten Days of Repentance) through the story of Naval who died during these ten days. He explains that the entire spiritual work of the Ten Days of Repentance is to overcome being a 'Naval' - someone who is ungrateful and feels entitled. The Rabbi challenges the interpretation of the Tzemach Tzedek who suggests 'Am Naval' means a nation that is sprouting or receiving Torah (תורה). Instead, he argues that the Targum's translation is correct: 'Am Naval' means an ungrateful nation precisely because we received the Torah. The problem arises when people think the Torah was given as a reward for being special, leading to feelings of entitlement and superiority. Rabbi Zweig explains that true understanding of Kabbalat Torah (receiving the Torah) means recognizing it as an enormous gift that comes with tremendous responsibility to serve the community, not personal elevation. He gives examples of people who became insufferable after receiving wealth or becoming religious because they misunderstood these gifts as rewards rather than responsibilities. The same applies to Torah scholars - learning should make one a servant of the people, like Yissachar who 'bent his shoulder to bear burdens.' The Rabbi criticizes the contemporary yeshiva culture where Torah learning has become permission to demand support and feel entitled to being served. He contrasts this with earlier generations, citing Rav Shmuel Birnbaum's observation that in pre-war Europe, yeshiva students would only be matched with girls who had disabilities, as no one expected support for learning. The Tur, despite being the Gadol HaDor, was so poor he ate sardines on Shabbos (שבת) yet never complained or felt entitled. Rabbi Zweig emphasizes that Torah learning is not entertainment or a reward, but an awesome responsibility. Those privileged to learn must ask themselves what they are contributing back - becoming rabbis, teachers, writing sefarim, or serving the community. Self-centeredness is antithetical to true learning and wisdom, which requires objectivity and looking beyond oneself. The spiritual challenge for Bnei Torah is not whether to learn, but understanding what learning truly means - not entitlement, but service.