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What distinguishes true kanos from terrorism and vigilantism? A kanoy must risk everything - including his spiritual standing - because he cannot tolerate seeing Hashem (ה׳) abused, yet he can never be certain his motives are pure. Self-righteousness disqualifies someone from being a kanoy.
The shiur addresses the contemporary relevance of kanos (religious zealotry) by examining what distinguishes legitimate kanos from terrorism and vigilantism. Rabbi Zweig begins with a fundamental question: how can the Torah (תורה) sanction what appears to be vigilante justice when even a Beis Din cannot execute someone like Zimri without proper warning and testimony? The analysis starts with a Gemara (גמרא) in Eruvin about whether it would be better for mankind never to have been created. Rabbi Zweig explains that while Hashem (ה׳)'s creation is inherently good, from our perspective we should feel uncomfortable knowing that our sins cause Hashem pain, even though He willingly accepts this abuse in order to bestow good upon us. A kanoy is someone who cannot live with seeing Hashem abused and feels compelled to act.
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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.
