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Why did four-fifths of Klal Yisrael die during Makas Choshech even after witnessing eight miracles? The shiur argues their struggle wasn't belief in Hashem (ה׳)'s existence but discomfort with dependence on Him. Korban Pesach (פסח) resolves this tension—using the Egyptians' idol for service to Hashem teaches that our independence exists precisely to create relationship, not to merge into complete nullification.
Rabbi Zweig opens with a question from the Rishonim: when Moshe warns Pharaoh about the plague of locusts (arbeh), nowhere does the Torah (תורה) record that Hashem (ה׳) actually told Moshe about this plague. The Rishonim suggest Moshe deduced it from the letter aleph on his staff and from a gezeira shava with the prophet Yoel. Rabbi Zweig seeks a deeper explanation for why Moshe could predict arbeh with such certainty. He proposes that arbeh and choshech represent a unique category of makos—they don't merely inflict pain but fundamentally uproot the security of human existence. Arbeh destroys all food, undermining the tenth ma'amar of creation by which Hashem granted Adam the capacity to eat. Choshech eliminates spatial orientation and movement, completely disorienting human security. The word "shisi" (I will place) in the warning alludes to these two makos specifically, using the root associated with "foundation" (even shesiya), indicating these plagues aim to overturn Mitzrayim's foundational sense of existence.
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What is the primary purpose of the cities of refuge - protecting the accidental killer or something else? The shiur argues that creating respect for law takes precedence over providing sanctuary. True deterrence comes from recognizing the gravity of murder itself, not fear of punishment.
