A free account is required to play audio and download files.
No community start suggestion yet.
What enables a person to resist overwhelming temptation? The shiur develops a yesod from the Midrash on "klal gadol baTorah" and Yosef's resistance to Potiphar's wife: genuine moral strength requires a strong sense of self-worth, rooted in knowing that Hashem (ה׳) desires an ongoing relationship with us. The daily Korban Tamid symbolizes this relationship, giving us the foundation to withstand our passions without redefining ourselves according to them.
The shiur explores a fundamental question from the Midrash in Ein Yaakov about the klal gadol baTorah—the most important principle of Torah (תורה). Rabbi Akiva says it is "ve'ahavta lerei'acha kamocha" (love your fellow as yourself), but Ben Azzai challenges: what if you don't like yourself? Ben Azzai answers with "zeh sefer toldos adam"—man was created in God's image. Rav Yaakov offers a third answer: "es hakeves echad ta'aseh baboker ve'es hakeves hasheini ta'aseh bein ha'arbayim"—bring one sheep in the morning and one in the afternoon (the Korban Tamid). Rabbi Zweig asks: why is this daily sacrifice the klal gadol baTorah? The verse before it already says to bring two daily—what is added by specifying one in the morning and one in the afternoon? The answer lies in understanding what enables a person to fulfill "ve'ahavta lerei'acha kamocha." Ben Azzai teaches that knowing you have tzelem Elokim provides self-worth. But Rav Yaakov goes deeper: a person needs to feel that Hashem (ה׳) wants a relationship with him. This is what the Korban Tamid represents—an ongoing, constant relationship with God, morning and afternoon, that gives a person the ultimate sense of value.
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!
Shemos 29:38-39 (Parashas Tetzaveh - Korban Tamid); Bereishis 39:7-12 (Yosef and Potiphar's wife)
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!
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
How was Yitzchok comforted after Sarah's death through marrying Rivka? The Hebrew 'vayinachem' means both comfort and change of direction, revealing that healing comes through shifting focus outward. Depression and mourning are self-absorbed states; true comfort emerges when we channel our pain into caring for others.
How could Avrohom keep the entire Torah before it was given, including rabbinical laws? The key insight is that mitzvos represent eternal spiritual realities, not just historical commemorations, so Avrohom could access these truths through his genuine search. His entire 172-year journey—even his early idolatry—retroactively became service of God once he reached ultimate truth.
Why does the Gemara say Avrohom knew God from age three while the Rambam says forty, after describing his idolatrous past? The principle that baalei teshuvah transform past sins into merits explains how Avrohom's early struggles became retroactive mitzvos once he used that experience to reach other idol worshippers. Unlike Shem and Ever who lacked such background, Avrohom's difficult past became his greatest qualification for helping others.
Why did the brothers hate Yosef when he received the kutonet pasim, yet strangers saw him as special? The kutonet represented Yaakov's recognition of Yosef's leadership ability—his power to uplift and unify. The brothers' jealousy blinded them; the Torah omits his name when they see him (just "oto"), but strangers always saw "Yosef." True chein comes from seeing others clearly, without the bias of our own needs.
Why did the materials for the Mishkan equal exactly what was needed with no waste, despite the principle that blessing doesn't rest on counted items? The shiur explains that Moshe's complete faithfulness—working solely for Hashem's agenda—transformed counting from an act of personal ownership into one that strengthened divine connection, thereby increasing blessings. Korach's self-interest inverted this principle, costing him everything.
Why does Rashi describe the Mishkan as "collateral" for Jewish sins? Rabbi Zweig develops the concept that God limited His own collection rights—accepting only the Mishkan's destruction rather than the nation's annihilation. This reflects the relationship of a father who reduces his own claims to ensure his children's survival.
Why does the Torah give a detailed accounting of silver and copper but not gold in Parshas Pekudei? The three metals represent three types of givers: those who give selflessly (gold), those seeking a two-way benefit (silver), and those buying honor (copper). The Midrash's three groups suspecting or praising Moshe reveal more about themselves than about Moshe—we judge others by our own standards.
