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Why did Elazar and Itamar survive while their more illustrious brothers Nadav and Avihu perished? The shiur develops a yesod distinguishing two approaches to Torah (תורה) leadership: innovation for the future versus preservation of the past. This framework illuminates how different gedolim responded to America - some recreating Europe unchanged, others adapting Torah education while maintaining core values.
The shiur begins with the Mishna's teaching about three fundamental relationships: between man and his fellow (gemilus chasadim), between man and God (avodah), and between man and himself (Torah (תורה)). Rabbi Zweig focuses on this third relationship - bein Adam l'atzmo - as the most fundamental. Using Parshas Tazria as a starting point, he examines why Elazar and Itamar were called "Bnei Aharon hanosharim" (the remaining sons of Aharon) after their brothers Nadav and Avihu died. The key question: if Nadav and Avihu were the gedolei hador (greatest of the generation) and thought they were doing the right thing in their service, why didn't Elazar and Itamar join them?
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Parshas Tazria
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Why did the Mekallel's mockery of week-old lechem hapanim lead to cursing God? The attack was theological: questioning why God wants stale bread implies the entire mitzvah system is meaningless manipulation. The shiur resolves this through the Hashem/Elokim distinction - God as King needs our service to create a meaningful relationship where we earn reward rather than receive undeserved gifts.
