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Why does the Torah (תורה) introduce Moshe's lineage only in Parshas Vaeira, not earlier in Shemos? The shiur argues that here Moshe transitions from prophet to king by taking full responsibility—not excusing himself with "kotzar ruach" but saying "I will see it gets done." This mirrors the yuchsin of Reuven, Shimon, and Levi, who took responsibility even when acting imperfectly.
The shiur opens with four questions on Parshas Vaeira. First, why does the Torah (תורה) introduce Moshe's lineage (shalsheles hayuchsin) only in Vaeira, after he has already been sent on his mission in Shemos? Second, why does this lineage begin with Reuven, Shimon, and Levi—the very tribes Yaakov criticized—and Rashi (רש"י) explains the Torah gives them kavod here, yet how can the Torah grant them honor if Yaakov withheld it? Third, the Torah states Bnei Yisrael did not listen to Moshe "mikotzar ruach umei'avodah kashah" (due to shortness of breath and hard labor), yet Moshe responds with a kal vachomer: if Bnei Yisrael didn't listen, how will Pharaoh listen, "va'ani aral sefasayim" (and I am of impeded speech)? This kal vachomer seems flawed—Pharaoh is not overworked like Bnei Yisrael, so why would he also not listen? Fourth, why does Moshe repeat his speech impediment complaint when HaKadosh Baruch Hu already became angry at him for this excuse in Shemos? Rabbi Zweig explains these questions through a fundamental yesod about responsibility and leadership. He begins with Adam HaRishon's response when asked if he ate from the forbidden tree. Adam says, "Ha'ishah asher nasata imadi...va'ochel"—the woman You gave me, she gave it to me, and I ate/will eat. Chazal note "va'ochel" implies future tense. The shiur explains this is not escalating hostility but revealing human nature: when a person refuses to take responsibility and blames others, he will continue the wrong behavior. Adam is saying it's not his fault—it's his wife's fault, ultimately God's fault—and therefore he will continue. Only when a person accepts responsibility for wrongdoing can he change.
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Parshas Vaeira, Shemos 6:1-13
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