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Why does Bereishis 28:10 specify that Yaakov left Be'er Sheva when Yitzchok lived in Hebron? The shiur develops a novel pshat that Yaakov didn't leave his father's house from Be'er Sheva—he left Yeshivas Ever, which was located there. The choice of "vayeilech haranah" (rather than "lecharan") indicates he wasn't stopping along the way but was already en route, supporting that this verse describes leaving yeshiva after fourteen years, not leaving home.
Rabbi Zweig begins with a fundamental textual difficulty in Parshas Vayeitzei. The opening verse states "Vayeitzei Yaakov mibeersheva vayeilech haronah"—Yaakov left Be'er Sheva and went toward Charan. However, this is problematic because we know from Parshas Vayishlach that when Yaakov returns after twenty-two years, he goes to Hebron where Yitzchok was living. If Yitzchok lived in Hebron, why does the Torah (תורה) say Yaakov left from Be'er Sheva? Rabbi Zweig notes that Rashi (רש"י) addresses a related issue earlier in Parshas Toldos, explaining that when Yitzchok became blind and confined to his house ("kalu b'habayis"), he was considered "like dead," which is why Hashem (ה׳) attached His name to Yitzchok while he was still alive—something normally only done after a tzaddik's death. This suggests Yitzchok was in Hebron at this time, not Be'er Sheva.
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Bereishis 28:10 (Parshas Vayeitzei)
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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.
