No community start suggestion yet.
Why would Hashem (ה׳) use the corrupt Bilaam to bless Israel when He could give blessings Himself? Bilaam's mission was to connect the nations to Klal Yisrael, giving them a share in the World to Come. His failure represents a missed opportunity for universal tikkun olam.
The shiur begins with fundamental questions about Parshas Balak: Why would Hashem (ה׳) use the corrupt Bilaam to bless Klal Yisrael when He could give blessings directly? How could Bilaam, described as embodying every perversion, be compared to Avrohom Avinu or serve as a substitute for Moshe Rabbeinu? Rabbi Zweig develops a revolutionary understanding based on a careful reading of the Mishna in Sanhedrin about who has a share in the World to Come. The foundation lies in understanding two different creations described in Bereishis. In chapter one (Bereishis Bara Elokim), man is created as tzelem Elokim - a 'picture' of God who feels self-sufficient (levado). This represents the gentile nations who perceive God as distant (be'elyonim) while they rule the lower world (betachtonim). In chapter two (Hashem Elokim), man is created as d'mut Elokim - a 'model' of God who recognizes his incompleteness. This represents the Jewish people, created 'bishvil Avrohom,' whose goal is to make Hashem king both above and below.
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.
How does the covenant of Arvot Moav differ from earlier obligations? The shiur develops the yesod that this covenant created a new level of unity — not just working for the same Master, but collectively becoming a reflection of Hashem's presence. When Klal Yisrael embraces yichud Hashem as a shared vision rather than individual service, future generations become bound, teshuvah becomes natural, and mutual responsibility reaches the depth of "kol Yisrael areivim zeh bazeh."
Why was Miriam punished with tzaraas when her criticism of Moshe seemed justified? The shiur develops a yesod based on a Midrash that Miriam's error wasn't lashon hara in the conventional sense — she actually intended to help with a shalom bayis issue — but rather her failure to search out Moshe's unique madrega and recognize that his separation from his wife was a halachic requirement for his level of nevuah, not just a chumra. This reframes the entire mitzvah of "zachor es asher asah Hashem" as an obligation to actively seek out people's hidden ma'alos.
Parshas Balak
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.
