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Why does Jewish suffering take different forms throughout history? The shiur distinguishes between suffering that serves as necessary training for spiritual growth (like the subjugation of Egypt) and suffering caused by our own vulnerability—particularly sinas chinam. The gid hanasheh represents a distinct guarantee beyond the Bris Bein HaBesarim: protection not just from enslavement but from destructive attacks triggered when we expose our weakness to the nations.
Rabbi Zweig analyzes the deeper meaning of the gid hanasheh and its connection to Jewish suffering throughout history, addressing what appears to be a fundamental contradiction in the sources about the order of redemption. The Gemara (גמרא) in Megillah states that kibbutz nidchei Yisrael (gathering the exiles) comes before binyan Yerushalayim, while the Rambam (רמב"ם) in Hilchos Melachim states that Mashiach must first build the Beis Hamikdash and then gather the exiles. This apparent contradiction reveals two distinct types of national challenges requiring two separate divine guarantees. The shiur develops a fundamental principle: there are two distinct categories of Jewish suffering. The first category encompasses the necessary subjugation (shibud malchus) that was decreed from creation itself—hinted at in the description of creation with "choshech al pnei tehom" representing the four exiles. This suffering serves as essential training, teaching Klal Yisrael to develop a relationship with Hashem (ה׳) based on trust rather than merit, similar to how a wife trusts her husband or a servant trusts his master. This is why Avrohom Avinu's question "bamah eda ki irashenah" (how will I know I will inherit it) led to the decree of four hundred years in Egypt—he needed to learn that our relationship with Hashem is built on trust, not on earning or zechus.
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Parshas Vayishlach - Bereishis 32-35
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What is the primary purpose of the cities of refuge - protecting the accidental killer or something else? The shiur argues that creating respect for law takes precedence over providing sanctuary. True deterrence comes from recognizing the gravity of murder itself, not fear of punishment.
