No community start suggestion yet.
Why is Chanukah (חנוכה) absent from the Mishna, and what does the menorah's connection to Kesser Shem Tov reveal? The shiur develops a yesod that malchus—sovereignty—represents man's unique power to create reality through free will, something God Himself cannot do. Parshas Vayeishev's focus on Yehuda's story becomes the Torah (תורה)'s teaching on what drives a true melech: the commitment to give reality to others, tested through the nisayon of arayos.
Rabbi Zweig addresses a fundamental question raised by the Acharonim: why is Chanukah (חנוכה) almost entirely absent from the Mishna? The shiur opens with several difficulties: the Midrash connects the menorah to the Kesser Shem Tov (crown of a good name), yet the Mishna lists three crowns—Torah (תורה), Kehuna, and Malchus—then adds that Kesser Shem Tov is greater than all three. This appears to enumerate four crowns, not three. Additionally, the concept of hodaya (thanksgiving) needs clarification, especially since the Gemara (גמרא) states that until Leah, no one truly thanked God. The shiur then turns to Parshas Vayeishev, questioning why the Torah devotes extensive narrative to Yehuda's life—his marriage, the deaths of Er and Onan, the episode with Tamar—when other shevatim receive almost no mention. Furthermore, throughout Tanach, the genealogy of Malchus Beis Dovid emerges from complicated relationships: Lot and his daughters, Yehuda and Tamar, Boaz and Rus. Every king seems tested in matters of arayos. Why?
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 doesn't Chanukah appear in the Mishna? The shiur develops a fundamental yesod: Chanukah represents the victory of Gemara—the human ability to use godly intellect (ner Hashem nishmas adam) to develop Torah SheBaal Peh. The Menorah symbolizes the soul's illumination through this koach, while the Mizbeach represents the body's recreation—together forming the complete tikkun of man.
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.
Parshas Vayeishev
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.
