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How could Bilaam achieve the highest level of prophecy while representing the antithesis of holiness? Bilaam's agenda was to convince God to relate to humanity with dispassionate distance rather than the invested parent-child relationship that characterizes divine mercy. His prophecy functioned as pure information transfer rather than intimate dialogue, making him a cautionary example of viewing our relationship with God as merely transactional.
This shiur presents a sophisticated analysis of Parshas Balak, focusing on the enigmatic figure of Bilaam and his true philosophical agenda. Rabbi Zweig begins by addressing fundamental questions about Bilaam: How could someone described as the antithesis of holiness achieve the highest level of prophecy? How could the Gemara (גמרא) state that the gentiles had a prophet equal to Moshe Rabbeinu when Bilaam represents everything opposite to spiritual elevation? The shiur explains that Bilaam's request to curse the Jewish people wasn't merely malicious intent, but represented a fundamental philosophical challenge to how God relates to the world. According to Rashi (רש"י)'s interpretation of Bereishis, God originally intended to create the world with pure midas hadin (divine justice) but saw the world couldn't survive such harsh judgment. He therefore incorporated midas harachamim (divine mercy), which Rabbi Zweig explains doesn't mean God became a more lenient judge, but rather that God invested Himself in creation - particularly in humanity - creating a parent-child relationship.
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Why did 24,000 Jews suddenly fall to immorality at Baal Peor after 210 years in Egypt with no such incidents? Bilam's strategy was giving real blessings designed as empowerment rather than connection to Hashem, fostering dangerous "kochi v'otzem yadi" thinking. Only Torah study and synagogue attendance maintain essential divine connection versus the spiritual trap of perceived self-sufficiency.
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Parshas Balak
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Why might women's obligation in Birkat Hamazon be only rabbinic if the blessing mentions thanking God for the land? The shiur develops a chiddush that every tribe maintained collective ownership of all Eretz Yisrael while receiving private portions, explaining why Levites have biblical obligations despite no territorial inheritance. Women lacked both forms of ownership, potentially distinguishing their status from that of Levites.
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.
