No community start suggestion yet.
Why does the Gemara (גמרא) call Mincha "Tzlusa D'Avrohom" when Yitzchok instituted it? Tosafos (תוספות) in Berachos and Yoma presents a puzzle: Yitzchok instituted Mincha, yet it's named after Avrohom. The resolution reveals that leadership of Klal Yisroel transferred from Avrohom to Yitzchok during Avrohom's lifetime—at age 140 when Yitzchok was 40—making Yitzchok the Av with authority to institute mitzvos while Avrohom still lived.
Rabbi Zweig explores a fundamental question about the institution of the three daily prayers and what it reveals about the transfer of leadership among the Avos. The starting point is the pasuk in Parshas Chayei Sarah (24:63) describing Yitzchok going "lasuach basadeh," which Chazal interpret as referring to prayer. Rashi (רש"י) brings that this is where Yitzchok instituted Tefillas Mincha, just as Avrohom instituted Shacharis and Yaakov instituted Maariv. Tosafos (תוספות) in Berachos raises a striking contradiction. In our sugya, the Gemara (גמרא) states that Yitzchok instituted Mincha. However, the Gemara in Yoma refers to this same prayer as "Tzlusa D'Avrohom"—the prayer of Avrohom. The Gemara in Yoma describes the timing of this prayer as when the sun begins to cast a shadow on the wall, which is clearly Mincha time, not Shacharis. How can the same prayer be attributed to both Yitzchok (who instituted it) and Avrohom?
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 Rashi give conflicting descriptions of Israel's leaders in Egypt? The shiur explores how two different leadership styles emerged: those who pushed people to work harder while taking beatings, versus those who simply absorbed punishment to spare their people. The Torah prioritizes the first type - leaders who accomplish things even when unpopular.
Why does the Torah repeat that Rivka came from a family of manipulators and wicked people? The shiur argues that this is not "despite" her background but rather her yichus—she inherited their extraordinary sensitivity to others' needs but channeled it toward chesed rather than manipulation. True kindness requires understanding what the recipient actually needs, not just what the giver wants to give.
Why did Avrohom ask for visible signs of old age when people were already growing old? The shiur develops the principle that Avrohom requested that aging reflect not just physical decline but accumulated wisdom and compassion. This dignity of age is the foundation for transmitting values across generations—and its absence explains both the sin of the spies and the breakdown of contemporary families.
Bereishis 24:63
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!
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.
