No community start suggestion yet.
Why does Rosh Hashanah combine the terror of judgment with Ezra's command to feast and rejoice? The shiur develops the yesod that divine judgment is the ultimate chesed (חסד) because only through earning something does a person truly exist. Until we're judged worthy, we lack independent reality - making Rosh Hashanah the first time we can genuinely enjoy anything as our own.
This shiur addresses the fundamental contradiction many feel about Rosh Hashanah - the oppressive feeling of being judged versus Ezra's instruction in Navi to "eat fat foods, drink sweet drinks" and rejoice. The resolution lies in understanding that divine judgment (din) is the ultimate chesed (חסד). The Rav explains that Hashem (ה׳) created the world to be meitiv (do good), but initially wanted to create it with pure justice (midas hadin). When He saw the world couldn't survive that way, He added compassion (midas harachamim). However, the ultimate kindness is actually judgment itself, because only through earning something does a person truly exist - anything received as charity makes one a parasite without independent reality. The Gemara (גמרא) in Rosh Hashanah describes three books opened: one for the completely righteous, one for the completely wicked, and one for those in between (beinonim). Tosfos explains this refers to judgment for Olam Haba, not this world. The question arises: why judge for Olam Haba while people are still alive? The answer is that the psak (ruling) in Heaven that someone is a ben Olam Haba gives them immediate reality and existence. Until judgment occurs, a person lacks independent existence.
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 Aggadita
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.
How long must Hashem tolerate the Jewish people's rebellious behavior? A Midrash compares this to the halachic question of carrying a child holding muktze on Shabbos. The analysis reveals that rejecting Eretz Yisrael represents a deeper spiritual corruption than individual acts of avoda zara.
Rosh Hashanah 16b
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!
What did Dovid mean when he reduced the 613 mitzvos to twelve principles? The Gemara reveals that mitzvos have two dimensions: fulfilling the obligation and achieving personal completion (hashlomah). Dovid identified twelve core principles that encapsulate the essential character development aspect of all mitzvos.
