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Why does the Midrash declare the Korban Tamid a greater Torah (תורה) principle than even Shema or loving your neighbor? The Tamid uniquely creates reciprocal relationship where our service brings Divine presence, achieving both proper bitul and self-realization. Other mitzvos require submission; the Tamid alone transforms our offering into receiving the Shechina's validation of our existence.
This shiur begins with a remarkable Midrash that challenges our understanding of Torah (תורה) priorities. Ben Zoma identifies Shema Yisrael as the most encompassing principle of Torah, while Ben Nanas counters that 'love your neighbor as yourself' is even greater. However, Shimon ben Pazi declares that the verse about the daily sacrifice - 'one sheep shall you offer in the morning' (Es keves echad ta'aseh ba-boker) - surpasses them all, and the Midrash concludes that this is indeed the halacha (הלכה). The analysis begins with Rashi (רש"י)'s question about why this mitzvah (מצוה) appears here in Parshas Pinchas, when it was already mentioned in Parshas Tetzaveh. Rashi explains through a Sifre that compares Moshe's situation to a dying queen who asks her king-husband to care for their children. The king responds that before he can care for them, she must ensure the children will respect him and not rebel. This mashal teaches that Moshe, concerned about appointing a successor before his death, is told by Hashem (ה׳) to first ensure the people maintain their relationship with the Divine through the Korban Tamid.
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Parshas Pinchas - Bamidbar 28:4, with extensive Midrashic sources
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Why do nedarim carry such binding power, and why does their nullification require tribal leaders rather than Torah scholars? The shiur develops the chiddush that when making vows, a person channels divine speech itself, since human speech represents our chelek Elokai. This transforms nedarim from personal commitments into acts of divine creation, explaining why political leaders—not scholars—have authority to declare whether someone truly spoke on behalf of the Ribono Shel Olam.
