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Does mouthing Torah (תורה) words without understanding have value? The shiur draws on the Shalah's principle that Torah shebichsav has intrinsic holiness — even a child reciting Shema gains — while Torah sheba'al peh requires understanding. Rashi (רש"י)'s peshat on "beficha uvilvavecha" emerges clearly: beficha refers to the mouth-level mitzvah (מצוה) of Written Torah, uvilvavecha to the understanding required for Oral Torah.
The shiur analyzes Rashi (רש"י) on Parshas Nitzavim (Devarim 30:14), where the pasuk states "ki karov eilecha hadavar me'od beficha uvilvavecha la'asoso" — "it is very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart to do it." Rashi explains that "beficha" refers to Torah (תורה) shebichsav (Written Torah) and "uvilvavecha" refers to Torah sheba'al peh (Oral Torah). The question arises: how does "beficha" (in your mouth) relate specifically to Written Torah? The Sefer HaChacham offers an explanation: "ki karov eilecha hadavar me'od" refers to Torah shebichsav because it is physically close and visible, while "beficha uvilvavecha" refers to Torah sheba'al peh. However, Rabbi Zweig finds this approach forced and proposes an alternative understanding based on the Shalah HaKadosh.
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Parshas Nitzavim, Devarim 30:14
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Why didn't Noach daven for his generation while Avrohom advocated for Sedom? Noach viewed each person as an independent island responsible only for their own teshuvah. Avrohom understood that all humanity is interconnected through shared perspective and values, making prayer for others both possible and necessary.
