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Why does the Torah (תורה) write "if you lend money" when lending is obligatory? The conditional language teaches that interpersonal mitzvos must be performed from genuine care, not duty. This explains why blessings aren't made on mitzvos between people - emphasizing divine command would make recipients uncomfortable and defeat the mitzvah (מצוה)'s purpose of preserving human dignity.
This profound shiur examines the unusual conditional language the Torah (תורה) uses for the mitzvah (מצוה) of lending money in Parshas Mishpatim, asking why it says "Im kesef talveh" (if you will lend money) when it's actually obligatory. Rabbi Zweig connects this to the broader question of why certain mitzvos have blessings while others, particularly those between people, do not. The Rambam (רמב"ם) provides a fundamental distinction: mitzvos between man and God have blessings, while mitzvos between people do not. Rabbi Zweig explains this through Maimonides' analysis of different types of mitzvos. For mitzvos that have a logical basis (like not stealing or murder), the highest level is to internalize the understanding and not want to transgress. For mitzvos without logical basis (like kashrus), the highest level is self-control while acknowledging desire.
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Parshas Mishpatim - lending money mitzvah
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