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If Hashem (ה׳) is perfect and unchanging, how can our mitzvos and prayers truly matter to Him? The shiur reveals that creation itself established Hashem as King, and since there is no king without subjects, He genuinely needs our service and recognition. This transforms prayer from self-improvement into actually giving Hashem something He requires within creation.
This shiur addresses fundamental questions about the nature of prayer and our relationship with Hashem (ה׳). Rabbi Zweig begins by examining a midrash about the Septuagint translation, where the phrase 'Bereishis Bara Elokim' was changed to 'Elokim Bara Bereishis' for King Ptolemy. This leads to the central question: if the Torah (תורה)'s original phrasing could be misunderstood, why didn't Hashem write it more clearly from the start? The discussion moves to examining why this world exists at all. If the World to Come is infinitely superior, why not create us there directly? Rabbi Zweig explains that receiving unearned reward would make us spiritual parasites, lacking independence and dignity. Just as parents want their children to become self-sufficient rather than dependent, Hashem created this world as a place where we can earn our eternal reward through mitzvos and proper choices.
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Why does Megillas Esther interrupt Torah study for a message the world deemed ridiculous—that every man should rule his home? The shiur develops the yesod that the moon's willingness to "make itself small" doesn't diminish it but creates unified sovereignty. A woman who enables her husband to lead isn't relegated to second class—she is the king-maker, comfortable creating oneness where a man cannot.
Does going to doctors contradict relying on Hashem as our healer? The Ramban holds medicine is a concession for those not on high spiritual levels, while the Rambam views medicine as a science—a domain Hashem established. The shiur resolves this by explaining that illness uniquely separates a person from Hashem, making self-cure through teshuvah impossible and necessitating medical intervention.
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