No community start suggestion yet.
Why does the Torah (תורה) write "rosheichem shivteichem" instead of simply "roshei shivteichem"? Rashi (רש"י) reads it as "rosheichem l'shivteichem"—your heads according to your tribes—teaching that tribal heads held national positions, not merely state ones. This explains why they appear before the Zekeinim: they bore executive responsibility for all of Klal Yisrael, functioning as a twelve-member presidium with national authority.
The shiur analyzes Rashi (רש"י)'s interpretation of the phrase "rosheichem shivteichem" in Parshas Nitzavim. The fundamental question is textual: why does the Torah (תורה) use this unusual phrasing when it could have simply written "roshei shivteichem" (heads of the tribes) using fewer letters? Rashi explains that the Torah deliberately writes "rosheichem shivteichem" to be read as "rosheichem l'shivteichem"—your heads according to your tribes—requiring us to insert an implied lamed (prepositional prefix). Rabbi Zweig emphasizes the difficulty of Rashi's explanation. If the Torah wanted to say "heads of the tribes," it could have used two fewer letters (removing the chaf and mem suffix) and written "roshei shivteichem" clearly. Instead, the Torah writes more letters in a way that seems unclear, forcing us to read in an additional letter (lamed) that isn't written. This apparent inefficiency demands explanation.
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 Parsha
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.
Up Next in this Series
Why does Rashi give conflicting descriptions of Israel's leaders in Egypt? The shiur explores how two different leadership styles emerged: those who pushed people to work harder while taking beatings, versus those who simply absorbed punishment to spare their people. The Torah prioritizes the first type - leaders who accomplish things even when unpopular.
Why does the Torah repeat that Rivka came from a family of manipulators and wicked people? The shiur argues that this is not "despite" her background but rather her yichus—she inherited their extraordinary sensitivity to others' needs but channeled it toward chesed rather than manipulation. True kindness requires understanding what the recipient actually needs, not just what the giver wants to give.
Why did Avrohom ask for visible signs of old age when people were already growing old? The shiur develops the principle that Avrohom requested that aging reflect not just physical decline but accumulated wisdom and compassion. This dignity of age is the foundation for transmitting values across generations—and its absence explains both the sin of the spies and the breakdown of contemporary families.
Parshas Nitzavim 29:9
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!
Why didn't Noach daven for his generation while Avrohom advocated for Sedom? Noach viewed each person as an independent island responsible only for their own teshuvah. Avrohom understood that all humanity is interconnected through shared perspective and values, making prayer for others both possible and necessary.
