No community start suggestion yet.
Why does the Torah (תורה) permit marrying a captive woman through yefas toar, seemingly surrendering to desire? The shiur argues the yetzer hara here isn't for intimacy but for marriage—a soldier wants to convert her. The Torah creates an alternate conversion process (ger vs. ger tzedek) so desire won't blind him into accepting an insincere convert, distinguishing between halakhic Jewish status and kedushas Yisrael.
The shiur addresses the theological and halakhic difficulties in Parshas Yefas Toar, beginning with the apparent contradiction: the Torah (תורה) generally demands self-control, yet here permits taking a captive woman because "if not, he will take her forbidden" (lo dibrah Torah keneged yetzer hara). How can the Torah sanction surrendering to the yetzer hara? Rav Zweig argues that according to Rashi (רש"י), the yetzer hara here is not for intimate contact but for marriage. The soldier desires a long-term relationship, which is inherently permissible if the woman converts sincerely. The problem is that lust clouds judgment—he might convince himself she's a ger tzedek (righteous convert) when she's merely converting for ulterior motives (to avoid servitude, to marry him). The Torah therefore establishes an alternative: gerus ba'al korcha, conversion against her will, creating a category of ger (convert) distinct from ger tzedek.
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!
Dedicate a Shiur in Parsha
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.
Why does the Midrash connect Pharaoh's expulsion of the Jews to the mitzvah of shiluach hakan? The shiur develops a chiddush that Pharaoh's sin wasn't only drowning the children, but the insensitivity of expelling the parents afterward. The deeper analysis reveals that Pharaoh may have valued the Jews greatly and wanted to control them—making his expulsion an act of tremendous cruelty, not liberation.
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.
Ki Seitzei 21:10-14
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!
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.
