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Why does the Gemara (גמרא) in Bava Basra call pidyon shvuyim a 'mitzvah (מצוה) rabba' and prove captivity is worse than death through the verse in Yirmiyahu? The shiur clarifies that pidyon shvuyim is not pikuach nefesh but addresses total psychological devastation - being completely 'biyad acheirim' with no control over one's fate. This makes it the ultimate tzedakah because it restores a person's entire sense of self after complete dehumanization.
This shiur analyzes the Aggadic passage in Bava Basra about Ifra Hurmiz who sent money to Rav Yosef for a 'mitzvah (מצוה) rabba' (great mitzvah), which the Gemara (גמרא) identifies as pidyon shvuyim (redeeming captives). Rabbi Zweig addresses several fundamental questions: Why does the Gemara need to prove pidyon shvuyim is a mitzvah rabba through the verse in Yirmiyahu listing four punishments (death, sword, famine, captivity) in order of severity? The Gemara explains that each subsequent punishment is worse than the previous, with captivity being the worst despite not being immediately life-threatening. Rabbi Zweig clarifies that pidyon shvuyim is NOT pikuach nefesh (life-threatening danger) in the halachic sense, contrary to common assumption. Rather, it represents total emotional devastation - the captive is completely 'biyad acheirim' (in others' hands) with no control over their fate. This psychological trauma, where any of the other punishments could potentially occur, creates the worst possible human suffering. The shiur explores the definition of 'mitzvah rabba,' suggesting it means a mitzvah that makes the giver into the greatest 'source' (makor) of giving in hilchot tzedakah. Rabbi Zweig connects this to the parsha's discussion of 'goy gadol,' analyzing different Targum translations to understand when 'gadol' means 'great' versus 'large.' He explains that 'gadol' fundamentally means being a source, like the sun being a source of light. An 'adam gadol' must be a source of Torah (תורה) teaching for others. The shiur concludes that pidyon shvuyim represents the ultimate form of giving - restoring a person's entire sense of self and humanity after total devastation, making it the greatest mitzvah in tzedakah despite not being actual pikuach nefesh.
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How long must Hashem tolerate the Jewish people's rebellious behavior? A Midrash compares this to the halachic question of carrying a child holding muktze on Shabbos. The analysis reveals that rejecting Eretz Yisrael represents a deeper spiritual corruption than individual acts of avoda zara.
Bava Basra 8a-8b
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What did Dovid mean when he reduced the 613 mitzvos to twelve principles? The Gemara reveals that mitzvos have two dimensions: fulfilling the obligation and achieving personal completion (hashlomah). Dovid identified twelve core principles that encapsulate the essential character development aspect of all mitzvos.
