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How do we reconcile the machlokes between Kitzur Vayiggash (safek brachos l'chumra) and Tosfos (no safek in bracha achrona)? The shiur develops a crucial distinction: the Gemara (גמרא) discusses heter achilah, not kiyum hamitzvah of brachos. This resolves the RI-Rif dispute and explains when safek d'rabbanan l'kula applies versus when it doesn't.
This shiur presents a comprehensive examination of the fundamental machlokes between Rishonim regarding the principle of safek brachos. Rabbi Zweig addresses the apparent contradiction between Kitzur Vayiggash's position that birchas hanenin involves an issur d'oraysa (making safek l'chumra) and Tosfos's statement that the Gemara (גמרא)'s discussion focuses on bracha achrona, where there is no safek regarding the obligation since one has already eaten. The shiur offers two approaches to resolve this difficulty. First, Rabbi Zweig suggests that Kitzur Vayiggash may hold that even bracha achrona involves safek gezel, since one received hana'ah and is therefore obligated to give thanks (kivan d'nehenah tzarich l'hodos). Alternatively, he explains that bracha achrona operates under different principles - it's not a safek brachos issue but rather ein odeh im p'rati, where one definitely owes a bracha.
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Brachos 12a
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Should one learn Torah full-time trusting in Divine providence, or combine learning with work? The shiur distinguishes between Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai's approach of complete separation from worldly concerns versus Rabbi Shmuel's view that proper work itself becomes part of Torah. The key insight: true emunah means learning without demanding sustenance from either Hashem or community, unlike having a 'contract' expecting payment for learning.
