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Why does the Torah (תורה) credit Bnei Yisrael for doing the Korban Pesach (פסח) before they actually performed it? Rabbi Zweig develops a fundamental yesod: true avodas Hashem (ה׳) comes from internal commitment, not external pressure. When Moshe spoke b'nachas (calmly), the people told themselves to do the mitzvah (מצוה)—and that self-directive moment is when they earned their reward, not at the act's completion. This principle transforms chinuch and marriage: speaking calmly allows others to internalize and own their actions.
The shiur opens with a striking textual question from Parshas Bo. In Shemos 12:28, the Torah (תורה) states that Bnei Yisrael "did" as Hashem (ה׳) commanded Moshe and Aharon—yet Rashi (רש"י) points out they hadn't actually performed the Korban Pesach (פסח) yet. Rashi explains that since they accepted to do it, the Torah gives them credit as if they had already done it. This itself requires explanation: why should acceptance of a mitzvah (מצוה) earn reward before performance? Additionally, the pasuk emphasizes "va'yeilchu va'ya'asu"—they went and they did—giving reward even for the going. What is unique here that warrants credit for walking to perform the mitzvah? Finally, the Baal HaTurim notes that the word "ve'ya'asu" (and they shall do) appears only three times in the Torah: regarding Pharaoh's increased labor in Parshas Shemos, the volunteer work for the Mishkan in Vayakhel, and the Korban Pesach. What unifying thread connects these three instances? Rabbi Zweig begins by analyzing Pharaoh's strategy when he increased the Jewish slaves' workload. Rather than simply demanding more bricks, Pharaoh made them gather and transport straw themselves—tasks previously done by Egyptians. This seems counterproductive: if you're going to make them work sixteen hours instead of eight, why not double their brick output and maintain Egyptian straw-gatherers? The answer reveals Pharaoh's psychological sophistication. When Jews performed only the mechanical task of brickmaking, they had mental space to think about freedom and revolution. By forcing them into managerial roles requiring initiative—deciding where to find straw, how to transport it—Pharaoh sought to occupy their minds entirely. A menial job leaves the brain free; a job requiring initiative and responsibility consumes one's thoughts. Pharaoh was trying to own not just their labor but their mental capacity.
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Shemos 12:28, Parshas Bo
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