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How can deeds exceed wisdom, and why does Avos 3:9b say this makes wisdom endure? The shiur develops the principle behind 'Naaseh V'Nishma' - that doing creates understanding rather than blind obedience, since mitzvos express our essential nature. This explains why practical mitzvah (מצוה) observance often precedes philosophical comprehension in effective chinuch.
This shiur provides a deep analysis of Pirkei Avos 3:9b, which states that when one's good deeds exceed their wisdom, their wisdom endures, but when wisdom exceeds deeds, wisdom does not endure. Rabbi Zweig addresses three fundamental questions: why deeds must exceed wisdom, how this is practically possible, and why secular experts can maintain expertise without good character. The core insight centers on understanding 'Naaseh V'Nishma' (we will do and we will understand) from Sinai. Rather than the common interpretation that this represents blind faith followed by explanation, Rabbi Zweig argues it means something far deeper - that doing itself creates the ultimate understanding. He explains that angels function this way - they don't perform functions separate from their essence; they ARE their function. Similarly, mitzvos are not external obligations but expressions of our essential nature, since God created humans specifically to fulfill the 613 mitzvos. The Gemara (גמרא)'s account of angels bringing crowns at Sinai supports this: 600,000 angels brought two crowns each when Jews said Naaseh V'Nishma (doing and understanding were unified), but 1.2 million angels were needed to remove them after the Golden Calf (doing and understanding became separated, requiring separate handling). Rabbi Zweig cites the Rambam (רמב"ם)'s commentary that philosophers recognize two approaches to character development: reasoning first (which creates internal resistance) versus doing first (which creates harmony). He illustrates this with practical examples of child-rearing, explaining why children learn 'Shema Yisrael' before understanding its philosophical complexity, and why keeping kosher often serves as the entry point for baalei teshuvah despite being a chok (divine decree without revealed reason). The shiur emphasizes that mitzvos are designed to provide ultimate fulfillment because they align with our essential nature. Learning enhances this by adding dimensions to our actions, but without the foundation of doing, wisdom remains merely intellectual and creates internal conflict. The greatest distance anything travels, Rabbi Zweig notes, is from mind to heart - a journey only accomplished through action that allows internalization.
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Pirkei Avos 3:9
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Why should God care whether people find us pleasing? The shiur reframes our purpose from personal perfection to serving as God's ambassadors, creating His presence in the world. This transforms chilul Hashem from 'profaning God's name' to creating a void of godliness, while kiddush Hashem establishes divine presence through our actions.
