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Why do we behave differently at home than in public, often becoming tyrants in our own domain? The shiur uses Avos 1:4-5 to show that homes naturally create feelings of sovereignty that distance us from God. Building homes around Torah (תורה) scholars and chesed (חסד) counters this ego-driven atmosphere with divine purpose.
This shiur provides a profound analysis of Pirkei Avos 1:4-5, where Yosi ben Yoezer and Yosi ben Yochanan give seemingly practical advice about home management. Rabbi Zweig argues that these aren't mere practical tips but fundamental principles for creating a Jewish home that serves God rather than ego. The analysis begins with the Tower of Babel narrative, explaining how man-made building materials (bricks versus natural stone) psychologically distance us from God by creating a sense of living in 'our world' rather than God's world. A home becomes a place where we feel sovereign, like kings in our castle, which can lead to problematic behavior both toward family members and toward God.
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Pirkei Avos 1:4-5
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