No community start suggestion yet.
What exactly happens when a child converts to Judaism but later protests? The shiur develops a revolutionary reading of the Rambam (רמב"ם) that distinguishes between Jewish nationality (acquired through milah and tevilah) and full Jewish status (requiring kabbalas mitzvos). This framework resolves major contradictions about whether such conversion is de'raisa or derabbanan.
The shiur addresses fundamental questions about the halachic status of a ger katan (child convert) who protests upon reaching adulthood. The central problem is understanding how the Ran's question about "efshar litzamtzem" (the impossibility of pinpointing the exact moment of conversion) applies to the Rambam (רמב"ם)'s position, and why the Rambam places this halacha (הלכה) in Hilchos Melachim rather than Hilchos Gerus. Rabbi Zweig presents a groundbreaking interpretation of the Rambam that revolutionizes our understanding of gerus. He argues that the Rambam distinguishes between two levels of Jewish identity: Jewish nationality and full Jewish status. When a child undergoes milah and tevilah, he immediately becomes a Jewish national - this is a pure zechus requiring no kabbalas mitzvos and involving no din of zechiya according to the Tosafos (תוספות) in Sanhedrin. The child performs these rituals himself, so it's not a case where others act on his behalf.
Looking for the full summary?
Full access is available to members of the TUF Alumni Association or the Yam Hagadol Foundation.
Already a member? Let the admin know!
Dedicate a Shiur in Gemara
L'ilui nishmas a loved one. In honor of a simcha or yahrzeit. As a zechus for a refuah sheleimah. Your dedication helps carry Rabbi Zweig's Torah to learners around the world.
Why does halacha forbid entering dangerous places if everything happens by Divine decree? The shiur examines the debate between Rashi and Tosfos on traveling at night, developing a fundamental distinction: Rashi holds one must avoid even deserved punishments that Hashem delays through mercy, while Tosfos holds the prohibition addresses self-inflicted harm through free will. This framework reveals how people rationalize self-destructive behavior as "hashgacha."
Why does the Gemara praise hospitality to scholars as a unique mitzvah rather than ordinary hachnasas orchim? The shiur distinguishes two mitzvahs: hachnasas orchim (providing for those in need) and connecting to talmidei chachamim (cleaving to God through scholars). Yisro's meal for the Jewish leaders wasn't charity—it was his way of bonding with those transformed by Torah, teaching that learning must fundamentally change who we are.
Kesubos 11a
Looking for the full transcript?
Full access is available to members of the TUF Alumni Association or the Yam Hagadol Foundation.
Already a member? Let the admin know!
