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Who is speaking in Shir Hashirim's verses about the thirty-eight years when Israel was rebuked after the sin of the spies? The shiur traces how both Hashem (ה׳) and Knesses Yisrael express mutual longing during their separation, culminating in reunification only after Moshe and Aharon's death when the conquest of Eretz Yisrael restored their partnership.
This shiur provides a detailed analysis of pesukim from Shir Hashirim that describe the relationship between HaKadosh Baruch Hu and Knesses Yisrael during the desert period. Rabbi Zweig focuses extensively on determining who is the speaker in each verse - whether it is Hashem (ה׳) or Knesses Yisrael - as they express their longing for each other during the period of divine rebuke following the sin of the spies. The analysis begins with the verse 'ביקשתי ישועת נפשי ביקשתי ולא מצאתי' (I sought the salvation of my soul, I sought but did not find). Rabbi Zweig examines Rashi (רש"י)'s commentary, which explains that this refers to the thirty-eight years when Israel was rebuked and Hashem sat in grief, unable to reach them. The complexity lies in determining whether it is Hashem expressing His inability to reach the rebuked nation, or Knesses Yisrael lamenting their separation from the Divine presence.
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Shir Hashirim 3:1-4
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Full access is available to members of the TUF Alumni Association or the Yam Hagadol Foundation.
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How could the Jewish people blame the erev rav for the golden calf when each person is responsible for their own choices? The erev rav's decision to join the exodus gave wavering Jews validation that leaving Egypt wasn't foolish, creating psychological influence that Pharaoh deliberately exploited. This dynamic explains why whoever gives someone confidence gains power over them.
