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Why is flattery so severe that flatterers cannot come before the Almighty? The shiur develops that flattery involves giving compliments or favors while withholding one's authentic self to maintain control. True relationships require surrendering independence and accepting vulnerability, which flatterers avoid through manipulation disguised as kindness.
This shiur delves into the profound spiritual and psychological nature of flattery (chanifa) and its destructive effects on relationships and spiritual growth. Rabbi Zweig begins by examining the Talmudic statement in Sanhedrin that flatterers cannot come before the Almighty, questioning why this character trait is so severe when the recipient feels good and many mitzvos are not performed with complete sincerity. The analysis centers on a complex passage from Zechariah about angels carrying measures of flattery and arrogance to Iraq (Babylon), which also received nine of the world's ten measures of poverty. Rashi (רש"י) explains that flattery is symbolized by the stork (chasidah), a non-kosher bird that "does favors with its friends." Rabbi Zweig questions why doing kindness with friends would be negative.
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Sanhedrin, Sotah 41b, Zechariah
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