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Why does Avos specify age 15 for Talmud (תלמוד) study when yeshivas begin much earlier? The shiur develops a yesod about psychological development stages: at 13, decisions follow peer influence, but at 15, true da'as emerges—the ability to internalize principles and connect them to one's identity. This explains why Esav's birthright sale at 15 was more troubling than his earlier sins.
Rabbi Zweig delivers a comprehensive exploration of a fundamental Mishna in Pirkei Avos that outlines different ages for different types of learning: age 10 for Mishna, 13 for accepting mitzvos, and 15 for Talmud (תלמוד) study. The shiur addresses the apparent contradiction that yeshivas today begin Talmud study much earlier than age 15, leading to a deeper investigation of what true Talmudic learning entails. The analysis begins with Rashi (רש"י)'s commentary on Yaakov and Esav at age 13, where Rashi notes that Yaakov went to yeshiva while Esav pursued idolatry. The Maharal's question emerges: if Esav was already engaged in idolatry at 13, why did Avrohom Avinu only die at 175 (when the twins were 15) to avoid seeing Esav's terrible behavior? Why didn't Hashem (ה׳) take Avrohom earlier when Esav first went astray?
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Pirkei Avos 5:21
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