A free account is required to play audio and download files.
No community start suggestion yet.
Why did Moshe say "anachnu ma" (we are nothing) including Aharon, not just himself? The shiur develops that true anavus means recognizing we don't own our abilities—they are Hashem (ה׳)'s koach reflected through us, like the moon reflecting sunlight. This is why HaChodesh Hazeh Lachem is the first mitzvah (מצוה): it establishes that Klal Yisrael, like the levana, exists to reflect Hashem's will in the world.
Rabbi Zweig opens with two foundational questions about humility. First, his father's question: How could Moshe Rabbeinu say "anachnu ma" (we are nothing) including Aharon? Saying "I am nothing" might be humility, but saying "we are nothing" seems to diminish someone else. Second, Rav Yisrael Salanter in Even Yisrael distinguishes two types of anavus: humility before Hashem (ה׳) (which is logical) and humility before other people (which he calls "k'neged atzecha"—counterintuitive). If it's illogical, why should it be a proper midah? The shiur's central answer begins with the Gemara (גמרא) in Chulin about the sun and moon. Originally both luminaries were equal, but the moon complained that two kings cannot share one crown. Hashem told the moon "lechi ve'ma'atei atzmech"—go diminish yourself. The moon protested: because I said something proper, I'm being punished? Hashem responded that tzaddikim are called "katan" (small)—Yaakov Avinu and Dovid HaMelech are called katan—so this is actually greatness. Yet the moon remained unsatisfied, so Hashem said to bring a korban each Rosh Chodesh as a kapara for having diminished the moon.
Looking for the full summary?
Full access is available to members of the TUF Alumni Association or the Yam Hagadol Foundation.
Already a member? Let the admin know!
Shemos 12:1-2 (Parshas Bo/Vayakhel - HaChodesh Hazeh Lachem)
Looking for the full transcript?
Full access is available to members of the TUF Alumni Association or the Yam Hagadol Foundation.
Already a member? Let the admin know!
Dedicate a Shiur in Mussar
L'ilui nishmas a loved one. In honor of a simcha or yahrzeit. As a zechus for a refuah sheleimah. Your dedication helps carry Rabbi Zweig's Torah to learners around the world.
Up Next in this Series
Why does seeing a sotah inspire one to become a nazir? The nazir's abstention creates a pre-sin state where body and soul exist in perfect harmony. This 30-day period corrects the internal contradiction that led to his original transgression.
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.
How can sinas chinam lead someone to harm himself even more than his enemy? The shiur develops that sinas chinam requires self-hatred first — only someone alienated from himself will damage himself to hurt others. The Bar Kamtsa host and R. Zecharya ben Avkulas both exhibited this self-alienation, showing that proper anava restores love of both self and others.
Why does the Rambam place free will exclusively in Hilchos Teshuva rather than Yesodei HaTorah? The shiur argues that teshuva begins not with correcting specific sins but with recognizing that free choice grants us ability, not right—we must abandon the arrogance of self-centeredness and reposition Hashem at the universe's center. Only then can we achieve immediate closeness to Him.
Why is vidui (confession) the central mitzvah in Hilchos Teshuvah, rather than teshuvah itself? The Rambam distinguishes between teshuvah (establishing a prospective relationship with Hashem) and vidui (achieving kapara for the past). Vidui transforms the focus from self-improvement to recognizing Hashem as the "baal davar"—the injured party—and communicating directly to Him, which is what undoes yesterday's aveiros.
Why does the Rambam locate the essence of teshuvah in vidui (confession) rather than behavioral change? The shiur explores how vidui works even for shogeg (unintentional sin), showing that confession restores relationship with God even when one has pushed Him out of one's world. The connection between vidui and todah (thanks) reveals the deeper meaning of confession.
What does kapara really mean—erasing the sin or restoring the sinner? The shiur builds on Rambam Hilchos Teshuvah 1:3 to argue that kapara is not about making sins disappear but about going forward in a relationship with Hashem. The story of Yishmael read on Rosh Hashanah—"ba'asher hu shom"—teaches that the din focuses on who we are now, not on fixing the past.