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How can the Torah (תורה) permit yefas toar just because someone cannot control themselves? The shiur develops a yesod that yefas toar represents self-destructive behavior — wanting something while knowing it's wrong — which creates profound self-loathing. This psychological dynamic explains the progression from yefas toar to ben sorer u'moreh to mekallel.
Rabbi Zweig addresses what appears to be a fundamental contradiction in the Torah (תורה)'s approach to the yefas toar. The Torah generally demands that we overcome our evil inclination, yet here it permits marriage to a captive woman specifically because 'lo dibra Torah ela k'neged yetzer hara' - the Torah only spoke against the evil inclination by providing a permitted outlet. This seems to contradict the basic principle that we must control ourselves. The shiur develops a revolutionary psychological insight: yefas toar is not about ordinary lust or desire. The Sifrei states that even if she's not pretty (lo na'ah), meaning not suited for him, he still desires her. This describes someone who knows what he's doing is wrong for him, knows he doesn't really want it, yet cannot control himself. This represents the most destructive form of behavior - acting against one's own will and better judgment.
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What is the primary purpose of the cities of refuge - protecting the accidental killer or something else? The shiur argues that creating respect for law takes precedence over providing sanctuary. True deterrence comes from recognizing the gravity of murder itself, not fear of punishment.
