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Why did Avrohom cry only a little when Sarah died, according to the Baal HaTurim's commentary on the small letter kaf in 'livchosah'? The shiur resolves this troubling question by showing that Sarah's death resulted from her invoking strict divine judgment, then dying from guilt when she mistook Yitzchok's spiritual elevation for trauma. Her death was self-caused through misunderstanding, not sin, explaining the limited mourning.
This shiur grapples with one of Rabbi Zweig's most troubling questions from over twenty years: the Baal HaTurim's commentary on the small chaf (letter kaf) in 'livchosah' (to cry for her) when Avrohom mourned Sarah. The Baal HaTurim suggests Avrohom cried only a little because Sarah brought her death upon herself by invoking divine judgment ('yishpot Hashem (ה׳) beini uvenech') and was therefore like one who commits suicide, undeserving of full eulogy. The shiur begins by examining this seemingly harsh assessment of Sarah Imeinu, particularly troubling given that Chazal describe her as an 'egla temimah' (perfect heifer) without sin. Rabbi Zweig initially found this commentary so disturbing he considered it almost heretical from anyone but the Baal HaTurim.
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Why does Moshe respond to the splitting of the sea with shirah rather than praise or thanksgiving? Rashi's use of "al libo" reveals that shirah is an emotional expression—a response of love to love. When Hashem shows personal care, the only adequate response is "I love You too," not mere gratitude or praise, and this principle applies to all relationships.
Parshas Chayei Sarah 23:2
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