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Why couldn't Moshe personally lead the war against Midian despite Hashem (ה׳)'s direct command? The shiur distinguishes between punishment (correcting wrongdoing) and revenge (targeting someone's existence), showing that hakaras hatov prevents revenge but not legitimate justice. This principle applies broadly to relationships where we must ask: are we seeking correction or just putting someone down?
The shiur begins with a fundamental question: when Hashem (ה׳) commanded Moshe to take revenge against Midian ("Nekom nikmas bnei Yisroel me'eis haMidyanim"), why did Moshe send Pinchas instead of going himself? The Midrash explains that Moshe couldn't act against Midian because he had grown up there - "a well you drank from, you can't throw a stone in it." But this raises deeper questions about the nature of Divine commands and human obligations. Rav Zweig explains that when Hashem gives a command, it must be understood through the lens of Torah (תורה) logic and truth. Even Divine orders are bound by Torah principles. When there's an apparent contradiction, we must find a resolution that maintains Torah integrity. Moshe understood this when he criticized the soldiers for not killing the Midianite women - though not explicitly commanded, the logic of the situation demanded it.
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Parshas Matos - Bamidbar 31:2
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Why does Rashi describe the Mishkan as "collateral" for Jewish sins? Rabbi Zweig develops the concept that God limited His own collection rights—accepting only the Mishkan's destruction rather than the nation's annihilation. This reflects the relationship of a father who reduces his own claims to ensure his children's survival.
Why does the Torah give a detailed accounting of silver and copper but not gold in Parshas Pekudei? The three metals represent three types of givers: those who give selflessly (gold), those seeking a two-way benefit (silver), and those buying honor (copper). The Midrash's three groups suspecting or praising Moshe reveal more about themselves than about Moshe—we judge others by our own standards.
