The Sin Offering for a Non-Sin Part One Nazir 25 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 17th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses an interesting scenario whereby a woman had separated money for her offerings as a nazirite, and her husband annuled her Nazirhood. If she had not stated which coins were designated for which offering, all the money will be earmarked for communal gift offerings. The Nazir brings a chattas, olah and shelamim, so the Gemara wonders how it is possible to convert what was set aside as a chattas for communal offering …

Pesachim 89 How to Motivate Children Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 18th, 2021

  Are prizes a good method to motivate children?  In other words, what is superior? Is intrinsic motivation, that is, finding what a person is naturally drawn toward and amplifying effective?  Or, is extrinsic motivation more powerful such as financial incentives.   The Mishna on amud aleph and the Gemara relate a story about a man who wanted to motivate his children to be zealous in their performance of the Pesach mitzva …

Seeing is Desiring Psychology of the Daf Yomi Chaggigah 11

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 18th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis presents certain ideas about desire and psychology. It states that there are two constant desires that plague people to an extraordinary extent: Theft and sexual relations. Presumably the Gemara is referring to rationalizations that people often commit to avoid making full payment, paying back loans, trespassing and similar ways of not respecting others’ possessions and keeping financial commitments. The Gemara notes …

Buy Now, Repent Later Bava Kamma 108 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 18th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses a case where one stated the claim that a thief stole the deposit and took an oath and then witnesses came and testified that he had taken it, and he returned and again stated the claim that a thief stole the same deposit and again took an oath and then witnesses came and again testified that he had taken it. More notably, Rambam (Hilchos Geneiva, 4:5) rules that even if this occurred 100 times, if he makes the o …

Pesachim 91 Changing Times but Unchanging Principles Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 19th, 2021

Of what is the purpose of the Jewish exile? Are we just misbehaving children sent by G-d into a epic millennial time-out?  Is there something of deeper meaning and purpose? The Gemara on amud aleph quotes a verse from Zephaniah (3:13): שְׁאֵרִ֨ית יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל לֹֽא־יַעֲשׂ֤וּ עַוְלָה֙ וְלֹא־יְדַבְּר֣וּ כָזָ֔ב וְלֹֽא־יִמָּצֵ֥א בְּפִיהֶ֖ם לְשׁ֣וֹן …

Pesachim 90 Kasparov, Deep Blue and Rav Chaim Kanievsky Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 19th, 2021

Can a robot ever replace a rabbi? Can a Watson-style AI know enough halakha to render psakim? One day soon we will be confronted with such a situation. Let’s study a recent man vs machine situation: The Gemara on amud aleph quotes a pasuk found in Shemos (12:4)  אִם יִמְעַט הַבַּיִת מִהְיוֹת מִשֶּׂה And if the household be too little for a lamb There is a fabulous story about Rav Chaim Kanievsky, Shlit& …

No Atheists in the Grave Nazir 27 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 19th, 2023

Our Gemara on amud beis discusses how a son cannot bring his father’s sin offerings in his place.  The basic idea is Ein Kapparah Lamesim, people who are dead cannot have atonement via the offerings of their descendants.  (See Horiyos 6a, Commentary of Tosafos Harosh ibid “veha”, Rashi Meilah 10b “Velad”.)  While this has been stated in terms of the ritualary aspect of sacrifices, we all know from live …

When Second Place is First Class Bava Kamma 109 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 19th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the status of the Biblically penalty of an extra fifth imposed for one who confesses that he denied a theft under oath. The particular case is regarding someone who stole from his father, and then denied it under oath, and before he can make restitution, his father dies. Technically, he inherited part of the fine due to his father, and one might think that his percentage of the inheritance should be deducted off …

Pesachim 72 The Underdog Principle Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 1st, 2021

Sometimes commandments are understood as local and specific, while at other times the rabbis interpret them as global and beyond the specific scenario described.  How are we to understand when to be specific, when to generalize, and what is the scope of any particular commandment? The Gemara near the end of Amud Beis discusses the various mitzvos involved in sexual relation in marriage, aside from having children. וְהָאָמַר רָבָ …

Moed Kattan 21 The Foolish Things People Say at a Shivah House Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 1st, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us: ⁦Rabbi Meir said: One who finds another in mourning after twelve months and speaks to him words of consolation, to what may this situation be likened? To a person who broke his leg and it healed, and afterward a physician found him and said to him: Come to me, for I will break it a second time and then I will heal it, so that you may know how good my medicines are and how well they work. And it is similarly cod …

Bad Hair Day Nazir 9 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 1st, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph states that according to the opinion of אין שאלה בהקדש, one cannot annul vows made for sanctification purposes, one also cannot annul a nazirite vow. Tosafos offers a proof text that Nazirhood is a sacrament (Bamidbar 6:5): קָדֹ֣שׁ יִהְיֶ֔ה גַּדֵּ֥ל פֶּ֖רַע שְׂעַ֥ר רֹאשֽׁוֹ׃ He shall be holy, the one who grows the hair of his head. The simple understanding is that …

Is It Morally Proper to Abuse a Robot? Bava Kamma 91 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 1st, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph references the principle that once a defendant is convicted for a capital crime, there is an imperative to carry out the punishment immediately, so as not to prolong his agony. (See Sanhedrin 35a and Rashi “Lidayne”.) This is known as Iynuy Hadin. However, curiously in our Gemara they are referring to delaying the death of an Ox that was convicted for goring a person. The commentaries struggle with trying to u …

Pesachim 92 The Walking Dead Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 20th, 2021

What makes a person alive? Is life something that either is, or isn’t? Or, Are some people more alive than others? If so, how is it determined? In the Mishna on Amud Aleph, Hillel uses a melitza to back up a rabbinic decree. Hillel holds that a convert who converted on Passover eve cannot partake from the Paschal sacrifice and instead must undergo the same purification rituals as one who comes in contact with a corpse. That is, to be sprink …

To Allow a Vow Chaggigah 10 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 20th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes the famous teaching of Rav Gidal, that even though ordinarily one should refrain from making oaths, for a Mitzvah it is permitted. Presumably, if one needs to galvanize and commit to a Mitzvah, making an oath is permitted (See Nedarim 7a). There is a fascinating machlokes Rambam And Ramban in Sefer Hamitzvos, Aseh 7. The Rambam states: ⁦That is that He commanded us to swear by His name when it is necessary to rat …

Mortgage Payments for the Wages of Sin Chaggigah 13 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 20th, 2022

The Gemara on Amud Beis discusses Yechezkel’s vision of the divine chariot. The angelic creatures he saw had four separate faces, on each side of their heads. However, there seems to be a contradiction in verses. One time the face of an ox is described, and later it is left out and substituted with a cherub. The Gemara answers that originally it was an ox, but since it would be a reminder of the Golden Calf, Yechezkel prayed that it be chan …

Pillar of the Community Chaggigah 12 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 20th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us that the World stands on Twelve pillars, then cites an opinion that it stands on seven pillars, and concludes with the opinion that it stands on only one pillar. That one pillar is known as the “Tzaddik Foundation of the World”. Of course such cryptic statements beg interpretation. The Maharal Be’er Hagolah (6:8) explains that the material world can only be sustained from the spiritual forces flo …

Shabbos Mindset Nazir 28 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 20th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a scenario where the Shalmei Atzeres, the Sacrifices brought on Shavuous were not slaughtered with intention of the correct sacrifice. On Yom Tov, it is permitted to sprinkle the blood so at least the sacrifice can be salvaged and eaten as an ordinary shelamim sacrifice. However, the blood cannot be sprinkled on Shabbos due to the rabbinic prohibition of “mesaken”, which is considered fixing or repair …

Religious Disparities in Marriage Bava Kamma 110 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 20th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis considers the scenario where a woman’s husband dies childless, and therefore she now is incumbent to a levirate marriage with her brother in law who was smitten with a repulsive skin disease.  Can this be seen as grounds to undermine the valid intent of the original marriage, as surely she never would have agreed to this marriage had she known that it could lead to her being beholden to this person? The Gemara r …

Doubts and Defensiveness

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 21st, 2017

Defensiveness and Doubts By Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, LCSW-R Chaya Feuerman, LCSWR (First appeared in print in the Jewish Press)  Defensiveness is one of the most destructive traits in relationships. According to the research of John Gottman, Ph.D. if one spouse is observed as behaving defensively toward the other spouse’s concerns there is strong correlation with marital disharmony and ultimately, divorce. Defensiveness can be defi …

Pesachim 93 Hindsight is 2020, or is that 2021? Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 21st, 2021

When is it time to cut your losses and bail out?  We see warning signs of social and political unrest, huge gaps between rich and poor, increased anti-semitic rhetoric and propoganda, as well as all many of the fascist tropes such as, “Stay in your homes for your own safety”.  Oy, when the government starts telling that they are worried about our safety and want us to “shelter in place”, this is the time to get w …

Affluenza Nazir 29 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 21st, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a possible reason that the rabbis granted a father rights to declare his minor son a Nazir. The rabbis subsumed this under the general obligation of chinuch, the rabbinic directive to accustom a child in the practice of mitzvos. The Maharitz Chayes raises the following question: “We are aware that the idea of the mitzvah of Chinuch is to gradually accustom a child to his obligations so that he not be sudde …

Double Standards Bava Kamma 111 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 21st, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud aleph discusses the psychological assumption that many women prefer companionship over loneliness to the extent that they might be agreeable to marry someone far less suitable than she would have initially preferred.  The statement is in a thick Aramaic, which suggests it was an adage spoken by the populace (see Rashi Kesuvos 75a “Tan” and Rashi Kiddushin 41a, “D’amar”):   The phrase, &ld …

Pesachim 94 Reality is a Persistent Illusion Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 22nd, 2021

fQuote Credit: Albert Einstein What makes something true?  Is there such a thing as objective facts, or is everything subject to context that reality itself is impossible to be separated from the internal phenomenon of the observer?  For example, sound or a color are collection of waves along a certain frequency.  Not only is it impossible to know how another organism or alien would see or hear, it is even impossible to know if two …

Failure Should be an Option Chaggigah 14 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 22nd, 2022

This Daf is the beginning of several dafs where we will examine themes related to unhealthy standards and perfectionism.
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph describes Torah as something that one cannot acquire unless he stumbles on it. On a simple level, this is referring to the process of learning. That is, to grapple with difficult subjects, it is a given that many errors will occur until the best understanding and formulation is arrived at.  …

Bais Shammai and Top Down Thinking Nazir 30 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 22nd, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis (continuing to 31a) discusses a dispute between Bais Shammai and Bais Hillel regarding if an item is declared consecrated for the Bais Hamikdash in error. Bais Shammai holds it remains sanctified, while Bais Hillel holds that since its inception was in error, the sanctification never takes hold. We have discussed elsewhere in Psychology of the Daf (Eiruvin 13) how thematically Bais Shammai relates to an ideal state, Edenic …

Jewish Criminals Bava Kamma 112 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 22nd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud discusses the unfortunate situation of children whose father was a thief. Are the children who were supported by their father over the years, responsible to pay restitution to those whom he stole from? We won’t get into the Halachic specifics, but instead I thought to discuss the social and psychological impact of having a father who is a thief.   Unfortunately, there are crooks even in the frum world. Sometimes the …

Pesachim 95 Don’t Be Lonely All By Yourself Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 23rd, 2021

Should one give up a happy family time such as a Seder Night in order to keep someone company who is alone in a hospital?  Is the spiritual sacrifice worth it? The Gemara on Amud Aleph states a surprising ruling. Although one may bring a Paschal sacrifice by himself if there is no other option, the importance of bringing it together with another person even allows another to purposely render himself ritually impure in order to legally allow …

Going on a Binge Chaggigah 15 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 23rd, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us the story of Acher, that is Elisha Ben Avuya, who saw something that he could not unsee. Acher was one of the four great sages and mystics who entered “The Orchard” (Pardes)”. The Pardes is a metaphor for a mystical abode or state of being that only great and pious sages could achieve.  The journey to this transcendent zone was fraught with spiritual danger. Something occurred when Acher sa …

Fake it Till You Make it Nazir 31 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 23rd, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph continues the discussion of Hekdesh Taus, the idea that a consecration that is made in error can still be valid.  There is a lovely Chassidish Vort on this idea from Sefer Ramasayim Tzofim (Siman 1).  Though we do not pasken Hekdesh Taus remains consecrated, even Bais Hillel admits that it is true under certain circumstances. Such as, erroneously declaring the ninth or eleventh animal as tithed, or in the law of …

You Don’t Say? Bava Kamma 114 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 23rd, 2024

Our Gemara quotes Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi, using a distinctive phrase that other Tanaim do not use.  He introduces his opinion with, “Omer Ani”, which roughly translates to “I say” or “In my opinion”, but as we soon shall see, in Hebrew it has a different, more subtle and humble connotation.   Rav Yosef Engel (Beis Haotzar, Ma’areches aleph-vav, klal 33) notes that the meaning is something like &ldq …

Don’t Ruin the Mitzvah Bava Kamma 113 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 23rd, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph rules that certain days and times are improper to serve defendants with summons from Bais Din:   We do not set a court date for participants in the kalla, the gatherings for Torah study during Elul and Adar, during the months of the kalla, nor for participants in the public discourses prior to the Festival during the period leading up to the Festival. The Gemara relates: When people would come before Rav Naḥman dur …

The Quiet Still Voice Within Chaggigah 16 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 24th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes one of my most favorite verses in the Torah, from Melachim I:19:11 as one of the inspirations that kept Rabbi Akiva safe when he entered the dangerous mystical zone of the Pardes. The content and context of this pasuk is powerful. The context is that Eliyahu is dispirited. Baal worship is still rampant and King Achav and Izevel remain with a strong power base. Eliyahu declares after a difficult journey : 

The Importance of Clarity Nazir 33 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 24th, 2023

As Daf 33 is tiny in terms of content, we will discuss a teaching at the top of 34a, “אין נזירות אלא להפלאה”, which means that in certain situations, a Nazir cannot make a vow that is contingent on something which will remain unclear.  Naziriteship is imposed upon someone only if the vow is stated with explicitness [hafla’a] and enunciated. The Torah says that a vow must be “clearly” pronounced …

Everything is a Process Nazir 32 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 24th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes a verse in Yirmiyahu (7:4): אַל־תִּבְטְח֣וּ לָכֶ֔ם אֶל־דִּבְרֵ֥י הַשֶּׁ֖קֶר לֵאמֹ֑ר הֵיכַ֤ל ה׳, היכל ה׳, היכל ה׳ המה Don’t put your trust in illusions and say, “The Temple of the LORD, the Temple of the LORD, the Temple of the LORD are these [buildings].” The Triple repetition seems to be understood by our Gemara as alluding …

Pesachim 96 PDRP Public Displays of Religious Piety Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 25th, 2021

Recently, because of COVID, people have brought into question the custom of kissing the Mezuzah.  What is the significance of this custom? My father, who was a Talmid of Rav Hutner, ZT’L, was not big into PDRP, Public Displays of Religious Piety, and so he would not kiss the mezuzah amongst other practices.  He would say, the chovos halevavos, duties of the heart, are more important than a tangible act.  Fair enough, but what …

On Day at a Time Chaggigah 17 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 25th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph mentions a hermeneutical principle that also is used metaphorically:
תָּפַשְׂתָּ מְרוּבֶּה לֹא תָּפַשְׂתָּ תָּפַשְׂתָּ מוּעָט תָּפַשְׂתָּ If you grasped too much, you did not grasp anything; if you grasped a smaller amount, then you grasped something.
In the hermeneutical sense, if there is an equal interpretive option to derive from a verse a large …

The Value of intuition Bava Kamma 115 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 25th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the prevailing awareness at that time that vessels with liquid in them left open and unguarded can become contaminated by snake venom, as the snake is attracted to it and might have taken a drink.  The Gemara says it is forbidden to have one’s animal drink from it, and Rashi says perhaps you will slaughter the animal and eat it, thus exposing someone to the poison.   However, this seemingly contra …

Pesachim 98 Discipline Is Not A Restriction But Rather An Aid To Freedom Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 26th, 2021

Quote Source: Wayne Thiebaud How does one achieve spiritual connection? Is it via expansive ecstatic joy? Or is it through limitation and abnegation? The Gemara on amud beis discusses the problem of אין מביאים קדשים לבית הפסול which means we are not to allow situations that would artificially limit the amount of time a particular sacrifice is to be consumed. That is for example, a Bechor first born sacrifice that is usually …

Pesachim 97 It Ain't Over Until It’s Over Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 26th, 2021

The Gemara on amud aleph mentions the concept of Ta’un Linah, which is that certain sacrifices such as a the Korban Pesach require staying overnight in Yerushalayim.  What does this represent?   Be’er Mayyim Chayyim (Bereishis 32:14) discusses this phenomenon. He notes that Yaakov Avinu stayed overnight after his prayer and draws a parallel to the similar obligation by sacrifices. I think this tells us something important ab …

Laws Masquerading as Morality Nazir 34 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 26th, 2023

Our Mishna on Amud Aleph and the rest of the daf begins a discussion about the various prohibitions and foods that the Nazir is restricted from.   The verses spell out four different kinds of wine related products (Bamidbar 6:3-4):   מִיַּ֤יִן וְשֵׁכָר֙ יַזִּ֔יר  חֹ֥מֶץ יַ֛יִן וְחֹ֥מֶץ שֵׁכָ֖ר לֹ֣א יִשְׁתֶּ֑ה  וְכׇל־מִשְׁרַ֤ת עֲנָבִים֙ …

True Love Bava Kamma 116 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 26th, 2024

The Gemara on Amud Aleph uses a phrase to characterize an event where a person’s animal that was doomed to drown was miraculously saved, “Min Shamayim Rachimu Aleh - from Heaven they manifested Rachimu.” Many translations of this Gemara translate “Rachimu” as mercy, seeing the Hebrew root R-CH-M from Rachamim, mercy.   I believe this translation to be in error. The Aramaic Rachimu, though of the same root, actua …

Caste of Characters Chaggigah 18 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 27th, 2022

Our Gemara mentions the extensive additional restrictions, that the Rabbanim who were known as perushim, took upon themselves. They would conduct themselves with stringencies that treated ordinary non/sacred foods as if they were sacred. They conducted themselves with similar maintenance of ritual Purity as if they were Cohanim who ate of the sacrifices. From what I can tell, the term Perushim and Chaverim are analogous in Shas (See Yachin Demai …

Give the Devil His Due Nazir 35 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 27th, 2023

Tosafos on Amud Aleph (“Rava”) discusses the possibility that an ox or donkey which was used in the sinful acts of either plowing together (which is a forbidden mixture, Devarim 22:10) or threshing while muzzled (ibid, 25:4) would be invalided to use as a sacrifice. The Keren Orah asks in regard to the scenario of threshing with a muzzle, but the action of the threshing itself was not a sin. That is, the ox did not participate in this …

Teacher or Student? Bava Kamma 117 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 27th, 2024

Our Gemara describes an interlude with Rabbi Yochanan, where he misjudges a student, Rav Kahana, several times:   Originally Rav Kahana was seated in the front row of the Shiur, as his reputation preceded him. However he was under instructions by his master, Rav, to not ask any questions in Rabbi Yochanan’s Shiur for seven years. Therefore, he appeared in the Shiur as a lackluster scholar whose hype was not commensurate with his perfor …

Pesachim 99 Being Poor is an Emotional State Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 28th, 2021

Who is really wealthy? This has been the classic question for humanity throughout time as we chase physical pleasures and benefits to stave off our existential fear of our irrelevance and impending death. The Mishna on Amud beis informs us that even the poorest person on Passover eve should conduct himself as if he were from the wealthy class. That is he should drink and eat while leaning as if he were royalty, even though in a material sense he …

Universal Spiritual Solvent Chaggigah 19 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 28th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the concept that produce needs to come into contact with water (in the verse, VaYikra 11:38) and other primary liquids in order to become receptive to ritual impurity. However, the proviso is that there be a human will and interest that the water be applied. A random splashing of water that serves no interest to the owner of the produce, unlike washing it, does not make it receptive to ritual impurity. The simpl …

Repenting is the Yeast You Could Do Nazir 36 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 28th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the prohibition of using leavened dough on the altar for sacrifices. Rabbenu Bechaye’s ethical treatise, Kad Hakemach (Pesach 1) offers a comprehensive explanation of the Torah’s symbolic aversion to chametz:   Chametz represents the evil inclination. Like the slow leavening of dough, the evil within a personality creeps up and can overtake without proper vigilance. Pesach represents a potential …

When Stolen Waters are not so Sweet Bava Kamma 118 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 28th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the prohibition to buy stolen goods. The Rambam (Law of Theft 1:1) warns that to buy stolen goods of any kind is a grave sin, as it encourages the thief’s behavior.  Based on this, Yam Shel Shelomo (58:1) rules that it is still prohibited to purchase from a thief even if he technically acquired the item via making substantial changes so that it is no longer the same object, such as weaving wool into a …

Love and the Holy of Holies

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 29th, 2020

One of the taboos in Judaism is the prohibition against graven images.  There are numerous prohibitions against various forms of images, and we are even forbidden to make certain images of the human form even not for worship purposes.  And, yet, we find two images in the Holy of Holies, a place so sacred that the High Priest is only allowed to enter once a year! The Cherubim had wings like angels (Shemos 25:18) and faces of a child (Suc …

Clear and Present Danger Bava Kamma 119 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 29th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph teaches that though it is permitted to kill an informer, there is an opinion that one may still not take his possessions. (In times where the local government was cruel and unjust toward Jews, an informant in the community posed mortal danger.) The rationale for this distinction is provided by the Gemara:   Perhaps he will have righteous children, and it is written: The wicked may prepare it, but the just shall put i …

Pesachim 73 Ancient and Modern Ideas About Kollel Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 2nd, 2021

Is learning in Kollel a new idea and a product of relative wealth, or does it come from a venerable tradition?  When I say Kollel, I do not mean the concept of living in deprivation in order to study Torah, as that is a given.  If a person wants to become a scholar in any field, especially those having to do with more spiritual endeavors, hardship is practically a requirement.  Instead, a mean the social convention of kollel, where …

Moed Kattan 22 Functional and Dysfunctional Family Roles Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 2nd, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the impact of the Godol Habayis, the principal member of the family, on the shiva process. The Shiva is not just observed by an individual, but rather the family observed Shiva. Thus, when Shiva starts or ends may depend on when the Godol Habayis is present. The definition of Godol Habayis seems to depend less on age, and rather on role and leadership. Shulkhan Arukh YD 375:2 codified it as follows: ⁦Those who …

Holy Cow! Nazir 10 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 2nd, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tries to understand a strange declaration made by the protagonist in the Mishna.  The fellow is frustrated with his cow that is refusing to budge, and declares, “This cow says, I am hereby a Nazir if I get up.”  Obviously, the cow cannot make declarations.  The Gemara explains, when the person said “this cow says”, he meant to say, “this cow THINKS she is not going to get up&he …

Multiple Causes, Multiple Solutions Bava Kamma 93 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 2nd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph warns: “The curse of an ordinary person should never be regarded as light in your eyes, for Abimelech cursed Sarah and it was fulfilled in her descendant.”  The Gemara explains that Yitschok’s blindness later in life was caused by a passing remark of Avimelech, who felt misled by Yitschok, in letting him behave “blindly” by taking Rivkah as a wife who was actually married to Yitschok. Th …

Listening to the Outsider Bava Kamma 92 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 2nd, 2024

Our Mishna on Amud Aleph tells us that even if a person who caused an injury pays full restitution, he is not forgiven until he asks forgiveness, and it is granted. This concept is derived from the Biblical story of Avimelech and Avraham. When Avimelech had a prophetic dream, alerting him to the fact that the woman who he appropriated was not actually Avraham’s sister, but instead, his wife, God instructs him: Now therefore restore the wife …

Sounding out G-d’s Name

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 3rd, 2020

My early childhood school years were full of joy of learning. I attended a local Day School of which my father then served as its principal. The mornings were taught Ivrit B’Ivrit, which sparked my lifelong love affair with the beauty of l’shon kodesh. In the summer of first grade I was reading fluently in Hebrew and English. Significantly, this school worked on language foundations so we had as yet to learn Chumash. We read from read …

Pesachim 74 Secrets of Extraordinary People Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 3rd, 2021

The Mishna on top of amud aleph quotes a story about Rabban Gamliel’s slave, Tavi.  Tavi was a remarkable person who achieved notoriety and is mentioned many times throughout Mishna and Aggada.  Here are some highlights about his life: Rabban Gamliel referred to him as a Talmid Chacham (Mishna Succah 2:1). Tavi wore Tefillin (Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael 13:9:6) When Tavi died, Rabban Gamliel sat shiva for him, against convention (M …

Moed Kattan 23 Remember to Forget Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 3rd, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us: If one’s wife died, it is prohibited to marry another wife until three Festivals pass since her death. Tosafos discusses three possible rationales for this ruling: So he not too quickly forget the love of his previous wife. That when he remarries he won’t reminisce about his prior wife and lead to having “two people in the same bed”. That when he remarries he won’t reminisce about …

Emotional Holding Nazir 12 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 3rd, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a scenario where a man tries to forestall and annul vows that his wife might make while he is away. In one iteration, the Gemara has a textual problem in the teaching that involves appointing an agent to make the annulment. The Gemara wonders, why appoint an agent? Why not merely declare in advance that all vows are annulled? The Gemara answers that he is afraid that he will become distracted on the day of his de …

Pounds of Prevention for an Ounce of Cure Nazir 11 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 3rd, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a scenario where a person was drinking, or even drunk and declared,”I am a Nazirite from this wine.”  The rabbis ruled that the person only intended to swear off this wine, but not to actually be a Nazir.  Tosafos explains that sometimes when a person is drunk, others tease and goad the person to drink more.  Therefore, in reaction, the person swore off the wine. His intention was not …

Pesachim 75 To Even Love the Sinner Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 4th, 2021

What is the relationship between us and a sinner?  We may be disgusted by perversity or evil, but should we hate the sinner? The Gemara on amud aleph says that we must choose a form of capital punishment that minimizes the suffering, paradoxically quoting the directive to love thy neighbor. This paradox regarding loving the sinner is beautifully expressed by the Rambam in Laws of the Murderer and Preservation of Life (13:14) The enemy mentio …

Moed Kattan 25 The Secret to Happiness Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 4th, 2022

The Gemara on Amud Aleph uses a phrase to describe death as Nach Nafshei, as his soul at rest. This phrase is used in Shas, and has similar connotations to the more modern phrase petira. Petira presumably means to be discharged, as in an honorable discharge from the army. In this case a discharge of the duties of life. So too, Rav Tzadok MiLublin (Resise Laylah 1:1 and Dover Tzeddek, kuntros Ner Hamitzvos 2) says is the origin of the term Nach Na …

Moed Kattan 24 Does a Child Have a Yetzer Hatov? Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 4th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis mentions that we eulogize a child of age five or six.  This is a idea, there is a popular belief that the evil inclination enters a child from birth, but the Yezer Hatov only enters the child at Bar or Bas Mitzvah.  (see Koheles Rabbah 4:13 and Sanhedrin 91b).  Yet, by the fact that we eulogize a child, this shows that even a small child is capable of performing righteous deeds. And this is a very important …

Insanity Plea Bava Kamma 94 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 4th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the moral quandary of whether one should recite a blessing over stolen food: רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בֶּן יַעֲקֹב אוֹמֵר: הֲרֵי שֶׁגָּזַל סְאָה שֶׁל חִטִּין, טְחָנָהּ, לָשָׁהּ וַאֲפָאָהּ, וְהִפְרִישׁ מִמֶּנָּה חַלָּה, כֵּיצַד מְבָרֵךְ? אֵין זֶה מְבָרֵךְ אֶלָּא מְנָא …

Pesachim 77 Hitting Rock Bottom Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 5th, 2021

When we hit rock bottom, is this the end of the line? Or is it the beginning of our climbing back up? There is a saying in the Recovery Community that, “Rock bottom just means there’s nowhere to go except up”, and that “The valley will teach you lessons the mountain top never can.” The Gemara on top of amud alpeh tells us that the same exemption allowing sacrifices when the majority of the congregation is impure appl …

Pesachim 76 No One is Special and Everyone is Needed Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 5th, 2021

No One is Special and Everyone is Needed  Adrienne Maree Brown Can G-d reject the entire Jewish people, especially when they have sinned greatly? The Mishna at the end of Amud Beis lists several sacrifices that are brought even when the congregation is ritually impure. The common denominator is that any obligatory public sacrifice overrides the normal prohibitions of conducting the service in impurity. The Paschal Sacrifice is compared to th …

The Pursuit of Happiness Nazir 13 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 5th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph Discusses a scenario, whereby one person overhears another, declaring, “I hereby accept upon myself being a nazir if a child is born to me.” The person who overhears it says, “Myself as well”. The question is, what did he mean by, “myself as well”? Did he mean, “I, too, will take this vow upon myself in gratitude for your having a child”, or does he mean, “I, too, will …

Mindfulness and Gratitude Bava Kamma 95 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 5th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis references a monetary custom in silent partner and share cropper agreements. The silent partner can take between ⅔, one half, one quarter for himself. This seemed to be a common financial arrangement that was not considered exploitative, despite the large percentages.   The Midrash (Yalkut Shimoni 892) speaking for God, as if He were justifying the mitzvah to tithe: “It is customary for the owner of the field …

Moed Kattan 26 Is Eliyahu Really Alive? Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 6th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph mentions our tradition that the prophet Elijah never really died. The verses allude to this as well. In Malachim II:2:11 it states: “and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.” While that doesn’t explicitly tells us that he will remain on this earth, Malachi (3:23) prophesies that Elijah will return to us in the times of the Mashiach: “⁦Lo, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before the comin …

Transition Time for Tests Nazir 14 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 6th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses Adar 7, the auspicious day that Moshe was born and passed away. On that day we are also taught that the Manna ceased. Yet the Gemara Kiddushin (38a) tells us that though it stopped on that day, the Jewish people continued to be sustained by the leftovers until the 16th of Nissan. The Gemara similarly tells us that the dough-cakes the Jews took out of Egypt also tasted like the Manna. What is the significance of …

Faith Matters Bava Kamma 96 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 6th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses which kinds of changes to an object constitute enough transformation so that even a thief acquires it. (The thief, of course, must still compensate the owner. However since the object was so dramatically changed, it no longer has any connection to its past and he does not have to return the physical object.) The change must be irreversible in order for it to reach this threshold of becoming a new object.   U …

Pesachim 78 You Can Cover it, But You Can't Hide from it Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 7th, 2021

The Gemara on amud aleph discusses the function of the Tzitz, the gold headplate worn by the Cohen Gadol. Let us focus on this unusual artifact and how the Ishbitzer (Mei HaShiloach II, Shemos, Tetzaveh 9) interprets its position in the verse and on the body.  The verses in Shemos (28:42-46) juxtapose the description of the Tzitz’s form and function to the Cohen’s pants.  The Tzitz represents the highest part of the Cohen Go …

Moed Kattan 27 Prayer Has its Charms Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 7th, 2022

Our Gemara on amud aleph describes what appears to be some kind of good luck charm or talisman, that was used by typical Jewish Babylonian Householders. It was called a Arsa DeGaddah, which translates as a “good luck bed“. Rashi he describes it as a bad that was not used but somehow symbolically conferred good mazal. You can imagine, in some households where there was great poverty and disarray, it could be one area that you could kee …

Everything is Copacetic Nazir 15 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 7th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis references an idea that the first three days of mourning have a separate significance. Moed Kattan (21b and 27b) speaks of this as a time for “crying” and extra grief. More so, Shulkhan Arukh (YD:394:1) codifies this a halakhic requirement to refrain from excessive mourning and to limit the “period of crying” to the first three days. Pele Yoetz (“Bechiyya”) also speaks of the importance …

Love and Fear Bava Kamma 97 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 7th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis describes the coinage in the time of Avraham, on one side was an elderly man and woman, on the other side a young man and woman. (See Tosafos and other commentaries if this was an image, or a written word.  By the way, archeological evidence is that not only did the Jews refrain from using images on their coins, but even when under Roman dominion in the first Century, the Romans honored the Jewish custom and used coin …

Pesachim 80 Diversity within Community Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 8th, 2021

Diversity within Community What is the role of different ethnicities within Judaism?  Is it merely a coincidence of history that Jews who lived in different cultures and climates developed different characteristics and customs?  Are a Yekke’s timeliness and fastidiousness merely because they are like Germans?  Are Litvaks austere, stony, intellectual and skeptical and Galitzianers emotional and warm due to random causes? Our …

Pesachim 79 The Power of Smell on Memory Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 8th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the aspect of the burning of parts of the Sacrifices as providing a pleasant scent to G-d. What, in fact, does a Korban represent to G-d?  

The Torah often uses the phrase Reyach Nichoach, “A Pleasant Scent” in explaining what Hashem derives from the offering.  On the one hand, the reference to the term smell would seem to be the Torah’s way of distancing G-d from nee …

Moed Kattan 28 Great People Can Get Stuck In Their Heads Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 8th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis warns against grieving “too much”, that is beyond the halachically prescribed mourning periods. So let us consider, is mourning a Torah concession to human frailty, and the ideal person is stoic about death and accept God’s decree with no sadness? Or, is mourning an important holy process itself? The fact that it’s a Mitzvah may not prove anything any more than divorce is a Mitzvah. The question is, …

Easier to Learn the Entire Shas than to Change One Middah Nazir 16 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 8th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses that the standard amount of days for an unspecified Nezirus is 30.  The Gemara (5a) sees a hint to this from the Gematria numeric of the Hebrew word “Yihyeh”, “He shall be a holy” in Number 6:5, which equals 30. Why does the Torah not make this number explicit? The Meshech Chokhma explains that the Torah leaves it vague because each person must make their own evaluation of what is ne …

Is Adolescence a Thing? Bava Kamma 98 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 8th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses an incident when Rav Ashi burned another person's promissory note, and Rafram required him to pay the full amount. In this instance, the destruction of this key evidence prevented the debt from being collected.  Even though the loss was not direct, as a mere few pennies worth of parchment was destroyed, but since it caused an immediate and prompt consequential loss, it is treated as if he actually destroyed …

Moed Kattan 29 Stay Focused Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 9th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us: ⁦And Rabbi Levi said: Anyone who leaves from the synagogue and goes to the study hall or goes from the study hall to the synagogue, i.e., he goes from the mitzva of prayer to the mitzva of Torah study or vice versa, merits to receive the Divine Presence, as it is stated: “They go from strength to strength, every one of them appears before God in Zion” (Psalms 84:8). This phrase “merits to rec …

Good Faith Efforts Nazir 17 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 9th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a distinction between a Nazir who vowed his Nazirhood while he was Tameh Mes (ritually impure due to exposure to a corpse), versus someone who began his status of Nazir while pure, and then became impure via exposure to a corpse. Both must undergo the 7 days of purification with the ashes of the Red Heifer in order to start or restart counting the days of being a Nazir to fulfill their vow.  However, in the …

Of Course You Will…Bava Kamma 100 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 9th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph derives the ethical directive to go beyond the letter of the law, Lifnim Mishuras Hadin, from the following verse (Shemos 18:20):   וְהִזְהַרְתָּ֣ה אֶתְהֶ֔ם אֶת־הַחֻקִּ֖ים וְאֶת־הַתּוֹרֹ֑ת וְהוֹדַעְתָּ֣ לָהֶ֗ם אֶת־הַדֶּ֙רֶךְ֙ יֵ֣לְכוּ בָ֔הּ וְאֶת־הַֽמַּעֲשֶׂ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר יַעֲשֽׂוּן &nbs …

Journaling and Cheshbon Hanefesh Bava Kamma 99 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 9th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis records an incident where a person sought an expert opinion from Rabbi Chiyyah who was appraising the quality and value of a certain coin.  He appraised it incorrectly, causing her financial loss. The Talmud rules that experts are not strictly liable for errors made in good faith. Nonetheless, as an act of piety, Rabbi Chiyyah took financial responsibility. He made a cryptic notation in his record book, “Deyn Es …

Pesachim 50 Phenomenology for Dummies Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 10th, 2021

The Gemara quotes a verse in Zecharia 14:6 which alludes to a special light that will manifest itself in the post messianic era. What is the nature of this light?  The Mey HaShiloah offers an interesting explanation: Light in the material world is only meaningful by contrast with darkness. After all, we would be just as blind in a world filled with light and no darkness as we would be in a dark world. In fact, the opening of Maseches Pesachi …

Megillah 30 Rebuke? Not So Fast Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 10th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis describes Ezra’s response to the dire spiritual situation of his time. As detailed in Ezra chapter 9, intermarriage and assimilation was rampant. The verses indicate that Ezra’s prayers began only mincha time, while earlier in the day he was involved with gathering the people together for introspection. Our Gemara uses this as a defense for the position that on a public fast day there would be no time for the r …

Ding an Sich Nedarim 77 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 10th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis references a particular phrase used in the Torah, “זה הדבר” “ this is the word“, or possibly, “this is the thing“. When the Torah uses a phrase like that, it implies a kind of specificity that is used for various derashos. Rashi (Bamidbar 30:2) quotes a Sifrei that discusses this terminology and how it applies to the prophecy of Moshe: זה הדבר. מֹשֶׁה נִתְנַבֵּ …

Modest Obligations Bava Kamma 69 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 10th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph describes a practice of the “Tzenuin” (the modest) whereby they would dedicate a tithe, from afar, for produce from their field that is stolen by passersby who presumably rationalize this petty theft. Their goal was to save these thieves from the sin of violating eating non-tithed produce.  The gemara emphasizes that this is not a requirement, but rather an extra-legal act of piety. Sefer Daf Al Daf bring …

Pesachim 51 The Danger of Panic Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 11th, 2021

The Gemara quotes the verse (Vayikra 25:20) referring to the Shemittah year: וְכִ֣י תֹאמְר֔וּ מַה־נֹּאכַ֤֖ל בַּשָּׁנָ֣ה הַשְּׁבִיעִ֑ת הֵ֚ן לֹ֣א נִזְרָ֔ע וְלֹ֥א נֶאֱסֹ֖ף אֶת־תְּבוּאָתֵֽנוּ׃ And should you ask, “What are we to eat in the seventh year, if we may neither sow nor gather in our crops?” There are some basic textual problems: …

Megillah 31 Pride Drives God and People Away Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 11th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us an incredible theological idea: 
Rabbi Yoḥanan said: Wherever you find a reference in the Bible to the might of the Holy One, Blessed be He, you also find a reference to His humility adjacent to it. Evidence of this fact is written in the Torah, repeated in the Prophets, and stated a third time in the Writings.  
The Gemara goes on to quote a beautiful selection of verses that typify …

Is it not Enough What the Torah Has Forbidden You? Nedarim 78 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 11th, 2023

Continuing yesterday’s theme, ״this is the word” “זה הדבר״ means utter clarity and being synonymous with God’s will, we find a Peri Tzaddik (Mattos 1:1) that applies this understanding to the use of this phrase, which introduces the Torah’s section on nedarim. (Bamidbar 30:2 וַיְדַבֵּ֤ר מֹשֶׁה֙ אֶל־רָאשֵׁ֣י הַמַּטּ֔וֹת לִבְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לֵאמֹ …

Stealing Victory from the Jaws of Mediocrity Bava Kamma 70 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 11th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the limbo state occupied by certain stolen objects: גָּזַל וְלֹא נִתְיָיאֲשׁוּ הַבְּעָלִים – שְׁנֵיהֶם אֵינָן יְכוֹלִין לְהַקְדִּישׁ; זֶה לְפִי שֶׁאֵינוֹ שֶׁלּוֹ, וְזֶה לְפִי שֶׁאֵינוֹ בִּרְשׁוּתוֹ. If one stole an item and the owners have not yet despaired of recovering it, neither …

Pesachim 52 The Power of Imagination Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 12th, 2021

The Gemara quotes a verse in Hoshea (4:12) that criticizes the Jews for taking counsel from a staff and rod. What does this mean ? Rashi (Devarim 18:10) says that people would hold a stick and somehow see which way it tended to point, offering magical guidance of which road to take. A kind of Bronze Age GPS system. This must be something similar to the ancient practice of dowsing, where Y shaped wooden branch was used to search for water or preci …

Megillah 32 Hearing Voices Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 12th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the permissibility to listen to a bas kol, a heavenly voice, and that it is not considered divination:
And Rabbi Shefatya said that Rabbi Yoḥanan said: If one was deliberating about whether to do a certain action, and a Divine Voice indicated what he should do, from where is it derived that one may make use of a Divine Voice and rely upon it? As it is stated: “And your ears shall hear a word behind …

Teach Them a Lesson Nedarim 79 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 12th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a scenario where a husband affirms his wife's vow with spiteful intention, while in his heart still intending to annul it. The phrase the Gemara uses is “להקניט” which I think we could fairly translate as “to engage in quarrel, or to provoke”. The best word might be “incite”, which does bear homophonic similarity, but I have not been able to find an etymological link. Th …

The Pain of Gaslighting Bava Kamma 72 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 12th, 2024

Our gemara on Amud Beis discusses the concept of עֵד זוֹמֵם חִידּוּשׁ - the disqualification of conspiring witnesses is a Torah decree, without specific apparent logic.  This means that in Torah law, if two sets of two witnesses contradict each other, it is a stalemate, with no set believed more than the other. Yet, if one set disqualifies the other’s testimony by stating, “How can you claim to have seen Plony o …

Punishment or Consequence? Bava Kamma 71 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 12th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the well-known Jewish legal principle of a form of double jeopardy; one is not sentenced to be flogged and obligated to pay for the same act. This is also known as Kim ley bederabbah miney - the person takes the more severe punishment and is exempt from additional punishment. Sefer Shama Shelomo (Bereishis) asks, “If so, why did God punish Adam with both mortality and having to eat bread by the sweat of th …

Pesachim 53 Customized Judaism Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 13th, 2021

The Gemara notes two competing customs on Yom Kippur, those who light candles and those who do not. Both customs are derived from the same purpose, which is either by omission or commission of light to remind couples that marital relations are forbidden on Yom Kippur. The Ishbitzer in his Mei HaShiloach commentary (see Devarim 13 and Bereishis 7) quotes this Gemara to make philosophical point about the intentions and fulfillment of the mitzvos. T …

Moed Kattan 2 Baal Field Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 13th, 2022

Our Gemara discusses the difference between two kinds of fields, the Beis Hashalachim and the Beis HaBaal.  The Beis Hashalachim relies on irrigation, while the Beis HaBaal relies on rain water.  The Gemara delves into the etymology of the term Beis HaBaal and how it connotes an established field that maintains itself.  A verse is quoted in from Yeshayahu (62:5)
כִּֽי־יִבְעַ֤ל בָּחוּר֙ בְּתוּלָ֔ …

The Clothes Make the Man Nedarim 81 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 13th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph mentions various illnesses that befall a person who does not keep parts of his body or his clothes clean. Some of it seems to be psychological in origin, that is that it induces a sense of disorder, and possibly even mental illness. It is common sense to assume that one’s mode of dress influences their attitude, for better or for worse. What does the research say about this? We have the general psychological and cog …

Pledging During a Crisis Nedarim 80 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 13th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a concept that we have seen many times throughout Nedarim, namely, that vows are generally considered actions of the non-righteous. They are more often, impulsive, angry acts that do not represent the person's spiritual standing or ability to consistently follow the demands of the extra extension. This is why there is a phrase נדרי רשעים the oaths of the wicked, because generally speaking, they are not c …

Pesachim 54 The Essence of Psychotherapy Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 14th, 2021

The Gemara quotes one of my favorite pesukim of all time. It is found in Mishle (20:5): מַ֣יִם עֲ֭מֻקִּים עֵצָ֣ה בְלֶב־אִ֑ישׁ וְאִ֖ישׁ תְּבוּנָ֣ה יִדְלֶֽנָּה׃ The designs in a man’s mind are deep waters,  But a man of understanding can draw them out. Many commentaries such as Ibn Ezra, Alshich and Malbim note the process described in this verse. The ideas and wisdom in one …

Moed Kattan 4 Delay of Gratification Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 14th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes a Mishna (Peah 7:5) that discusses a dispute between Rabbi Yehuda and Rabbi Meir regarding the permissibility of thinning out the vines from the part of the vineyard set aside for the poor: ⁦One who is thinning out vines, just as he may thin out in that which belongs to him, so too he may thin out in that which belongs to the poor, these are the words of Rabbi Judah. Rabbi Meir says: in that which belongs to him, …

Moed Kattan 3 Miracles Sometimes Need Consensus Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 14th, 2022

Our Gemara discusses the idea that Shemitta today is only rabbinic and not Biblically required. The source for this comes from a Gemara Arachin (32b) which rules that Yovel (and Shemitta) only apply when all the shevatim occupy Eretz Yisrael.  Although this is derived from a verse, we should reflect on what could be the reason behind this exemption. On the surface, there is value to the Shemitta and Yovel cycle so long as Jews live in Israel …

Get Out of Jail Free Card Bava Kamma 73 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 14th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a famous halakhic and Jewish legal principle: תּוֹךְ כְּדֵי דִיבּוּר – כְּדִיבּוּר דָּמֵי The legal status of a pause or retraction within the time required for speaking a short phrase is like that of continuous speech. Meaning to say, essentially one can retract something that was said, if done so immediately.  This has many applications in both Jewish civil law a …

Pesachim 56 Is the Cure Worse than the Disease? Psych of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 15th, 2021

The Mishna toward the top of amud aleph mentions that King Chizkyahu hid the Book of Remedies. Most of the commentaries such as Rashi understood Chizkiyahu’s deed as follows: There existed a book of cures, herbs and the like amongst the Jewish people, passed down as an ancient tradition from Solomon. Almost every ancient indigenous culture had oral and written traditions of various herbal remedies, many of them being rediscovered today as e …

Pesachim 55 The Heart and the Mind Must Work Together Psych of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 15th, 2021

The Mishna (55b) describes several irregular practices of the people of Jericho, some that the sages specifically objected to, while others tolerated. One custom was that they would “fold Krias Shema”, which according to some explanations, meant they would say the first sentence “Hear O Israel etc”, and the second sentence “And you shall love Hashem etc”, consecutively without inserting “Boruch Shem kvod …

Gender Disparities in Experience of Sexual Deprivation Nedarim 82 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 15th, 2023

Our Gemara on the bottom of 81b to 82a discusses if a vow to abstain from sexuality constitutes a vow of עינוי נפש personal affliction, or categorized as a vow of matters between husband and wife. The halakhic nafka mina (practical outcome) has to do if the vow will remain in effect subsequent to termination of the marriage. The halakha is that vows of personal affliction, when annulled by the husband, are permanently removed. On the othe …

Freedom to Feel Bava Kama 74 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 15th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses an incident where Rabban Gamliel blinded the eye of his Canaanite slave Tavi, and he experienced great joy as a result. Rabban Gamliel always wanted to free Tavi, because he was considered an extraordinarily learned and pious individual (see Mishna Succah 2:1, Mishna Berachos 2:7.) Yet, it is generally prohibited to emancipate a Canaanite slave, as discussed in Gittin (38b). The injury provided a perfect opportun …

Moed Kattan 5 Keep Our Borders Safe Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 16th, 2022

Moed Kattan 5 Our Gemara on Amud Aleph mentions the importance of maintaining safe roads so that it is done even on chol HaMoed. If it is not done and someone is injured the Gemara says that should anyone be injured as a result of negligence in this regard, it is tantamount to murder. According to Tosafos, the Gemara’s proof text is from Devarim 22:8, that requires a person to make sure their home is safe. כִּ֤י תִבְנֶה֙ בַּ …

The Denial of Death Nedarim 83 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 16th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes a verse from Koheles (7:2) as a proof text that the loss of ability to attend a funeral is considered a form of suffering: ט֞וֹב לָלֶ֣כֶת אֶל־בֵּֽית־אֵ֗בֶל מִלֶּ֙כֶת֙ אֶל־בֵּ֣ית מִשְׁתֶּ֔ה בַּאֲשֶׁ֕ר ה֖וּא ס֣וֹף כׇּל־הָאָדָ֑ם וְהַחַ֖י יִתֵּ֥ן אֶל־לִבּֽוֹ׃ It is better to go to a house of mourning t …

Admission Requirements Bava Kama 75 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 16th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the legal principle of when confessing mitigates financial penalties: אִיתְּמַר: מוֹדֶה בִּקְנָס, וְאַחַר כָּךְ בָּאוּ עֵדִים – רַב אָמַר: פָּטוּר, וּשְׁמוּאֵל אָמַר: חַיָּיב. It was stated with regard to one who admits that he is liable to pay a fine, and afterward witnesses come and testify to his liability, that Rav say …

Kattan 6 The Heart of the Matter Psychology of the Daf Yomi Moed

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 17th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph in a discussion about keeping records and histories of gravesites, said that one must ask the local elder or Talmid Chacham for information. The Gemara says we see from here that it is incumbent upon a rabbinic scholar to take responsibility for matters pertaining to the city and community. Some additional scriptural supports for this idea comes from the verses that discuss the Egla Arufa ritual performed when an unidenti …

Talent on Loan From God Nedarim 84 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 17th, 2023

The late conservative talk show host, Rush Limbaugh, used to open his show with the tagline, “Talent on Loan from God”.  Whatever your opinion about his politics or character, the idea that talent is on loan from God was a brilliant and humble statement. Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the concept of “Tovas Hana’ah”, which is the benefit of control and assignment that exists for certain forms of Kodesh and Tze …

Old Fights, Are They Water Under the Bridge? Bava Kama 76 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 17th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud discusses the concept that certain actions that are pending, can be considered in a legal sense, as if already performed. Rabbi Shimon holds that any blood that is ready to be sprinkled is considered as though it had already been sprinkled, and likewise, any animal that is ready to be redeemed is considered as if it had already been redeemed. The idea that potential becomes actual is a symbolic spiritual notion. The Shalah (Vav …

Do Not Cut that Wire!

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 18th, 2020

From time to time I meet with a couple suffering from anxiety related sexual dysfunctions who also have halakhic questions connected to the problem.  Some of the halakhic questions are complex and hard to answer and others are simply a matter of not having been educated properly by their chosson or kallah instructors.  When I ask if they have consulted with a rabbi about their halakhic questions, some will say they are too embarrassed, …

Moed Kattan 7 Is Your Spouse Your Best Friend? Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 18th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses what in what situations a Cohen would inspect a metzora on chol Hamoed. The deciding factor is will it result in an improvement of his situation instead of a worsening. When a metzora is declared definitely afflicted with Tzoraas by the Cohen, he must leave the Jewish camp and be in isolation, however he is still permitted to engage in marital relations. Once he is declared by the Cohen that he is healed, he then …

Does the Mouse Steal, or Does the Hole Steal? Nedarim 85 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 18th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph explains that when untithed produce is stolen and eaten, the thief technically should not have to pay for the portion which would be tithed since the only value available to the owner was the portion that remains non-sacred. However, Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi and Rabbi Yose son of Rabbi Yehuda disagree about the legal response. Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi holds that we fine the thief an additional payment of the sacred portion too, in …

Redeeming the Impure Bava Kama 77 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 18th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the susceptibility of a Red Heifer to become impure (something that only applies to a food item that at least at one time was ready for consumption and can be consumed.)  This is because the Red Heifer could be potentially redeemed, and then eaten. Therefore, even if it is highly unlikely to actually be redeemed, it still has the legal status of an edible food item because of the potential to do so. Gemara …

Moed Kattan 8 Remarriage to an Ex-Spouse Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 19th, 2022

The Mishna on Amud Beis states: We do not marry a woman on the intermediate days of a Festival, not virgins and not widows, and we do not perform levirate marriage with a sister-in-law, if his brother died childless, because it is a joyous occasion for him (and we do not mix rejoicings, that is Yom Tom and Marriage; each one needs its distinct experience.) However, one may remarry his divorced wife on the intermediate days of a Festival, as this …

God Respects the Autonomy of Our Thoughts Nedarim 86 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 19th, 2023

Our Gemara and Mishna on Amud Beis discusses a case of how annulment cannot work in a situation of mistaken identity: מַתְנִי׳ נָדְרָה אִשְׁתּוֹ וְסָבוּר שֶׁנָּדְרָה בִּתּוֹ נָדְרָה בִּתּוֹ וְסָבוּר שֶׁנָּדְרָה אִשְׁתּוֹ …הֲרֵי זֶה יַחְזוֹר וְיָפֵר: MISHNA: If a man’s wife took a vow and he thought that it was his daught …

Crime and Punishment Bava Kama 79 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 19th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses why the Gazlan (brazen robber) only pays the principal, while a Ganav (stealthy burglar) pays double as a fine. The Gazlan simply does not care about anything or is motivated by some drive that is beyond any shame. However, the Ganav obviously feels some shame as he steals under cover. This man is more fearful of people than God, and therefore is punished more harshly. Rabban Gamliel adds a parable to explain thi …

The Real Hiddur Mitzvah Bava Kama 78 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 19th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a case where a person pledges an ox for an Olah sacrifice, uses language “it is incumbent upon me” which obligates him to replace the ox if it is damaged or stolen. If someone stole this ox, what liabilities would the thief incur to reimburse the owner ? On the one hand, since the owner dedicated an ox, and is responsible to bring it no matter what, the thief should reimburse him with a similar qualit …

Crime and Punishment

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 1st, 2018

  Reprinted from the Jewish Press     Sometimes we can be most cruel to ourselves.  The inner voice can be filled with condemnation and hate.  There are people that are barely aware of how harsh they treat themselves on the inside.  If they would take a moment of mindfulness to actually hear their inner dialogue it might be something like, “You are a bad person”, “You are lazy”, and best of al …

Bring Back the Chapsem

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 1st, 2020

I grew up in a neighborhood and a time where anti semitism was normal . We were spit at, threatened, and had our bikes stolen fairly consistently. I never realized how much it hurt. All of the sudden now a lot of trauma is coming back to me and I’m reliving it for the first time. I am angry and physically sick about it. A few days ago, just passing on the street a bunch of High School aged kids mumbled racial epithets at me. I’m not o …

Pesachim 42 Opposites Can be the Same Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 1st, 2021

The Gemara quotes the famous verse said prophetically about Yaakov and Esav, (Bereishis 25:23): וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוָ֜ה לָ֗הּ שְׁנֵ֤י גיים [גוֹיִם֙] בְּבִטְנֵ֔ךְ וּשְׁנֵ֣י לְאֻמִּ֔ים מִמֵּעַ֖יִךְ יִפָּרֵ֑דוּ וּלְאֹם֙ מִלְאֹ֣ם יֶֽאֱמָ֔ץ וְרַ֖ב יַעֲבֹ֥ד צָעִֽיר׃ and the LORD answered her,  “Two nations a …

Pesachim 41 Not Hearing or Not Listening? Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 1st, 2021

The Gemara uses a phrase that occurs 20 times in Shas: אֲמַר לֵיהּ: לָא שְׁמִיעַ לִי, כְּלוֹמַר לָא סְבִירָא לִי. He said to him: I did not hear about this statement; that is to say, I do not hold in accordance with it.  I would say, the best translation is “I did not hear of this”, and then the Gemara’s narrator interjects, “That is to say, he does not agree with it.&rdq …

Wine and Romance Nedarim 68 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 1st, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the husband’s right to annul a vow made by his wife, in regard to matters that will affect their personal relationship. Sometimes, we are able to get an indirect glimpse at various values, ethics and morals that Chazal endorsed by studying certain halachos. In this vein, I will discuss the idea of a wife drinking alcohol with her husband as a way to enhance romance and good experiences. There is no shortag …

Build Back Better - The Jewish Version Bava Kamma 60 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 1st, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph references a verse from Yeshaiyahu (57:19): בּוֹרֵ֖א (נוב) [נִ֣יב] שְׂפָתָ֑יִם שָׁל֨וֹם ׀ שָׁל֜וֹם לָרָח֧וֹק וְלַקָּר֛וֹב אָמַ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה וּרְפָאתִֽיו׃ The creator of heartening, comforting words: Peace, peace upon him who is far and him who is near—said  GOD —And I will heal them. The Gemara Berachos …

Moed Kattan 9 It’s Not About the Logic; It’s About the Feeling Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 20th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses various forms of Women’s cosmetics and beauty practices both in the light of what is permitted on Chol Hamoed as well as a number of anecdotes regarding ways in which rabbi’s wives and daughters beautified themselves. It is obvious from this Gemara and its extensive details, that the rabbis were cognizant, respectful and downright supportive of the natural human patterns whereby women, single and marr …

Speaking With a Unified Voice Nedarim 88 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 20th, 2023

The Ran on Amud Beis discusses the status of possessions of a married woman.  Since there is a nuptial agreement that the husband support his wife financially, in exchange for that, she agrees that her earnings become his property. What if someone gifts to the woman something with a stipulation that it not be transferable to her husband?  Is this condition valid?  The Ran proves that this condition is accepted as the halakhic norm …

Silent Scream Nedarim 87 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 20th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses more about Toch Kedei Dibur, that is a parcel of time that it takes to state, “Peace onto you, my master and teacher.”  As we learned in Psychology of the Daf Nedarim 69, there are many halakhic distinctions that arise from this measure of time, mostly having to do with being allowed to renege or retract statements, conditions and agreements within this small time frame.  Many commentaries …

Moed Kattan 11 Torah and Science: Something Fishy is Going On Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 21st, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us: Rav said: Adda the fisherman told me that a fish that has sat for some time and is close to spoiling is at its best. Tosafos here objects, as many of us might, fish close to spoiling is dangerous to eat and far from at its best! Tosafos answers, perhaps this aspect of nature has changed, as we see that many of the medicines discussed in the Gemara are also no longer effective. The idea that certain physiological …

Moed Kattan 10 Double Trouble Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 21st, 2022

Our Gemara quotes Rav Huna, who makes an interesting curse against someone whom he saw violating chol Hamoed  רַב הוּנָא שַׁמְעֵיהּ לְהָהוּא גַּבְרָא דְּקָא מְנַקַּר רִיחְיָא בְּחוּלָּא דְמוֹעֲדָא אֲמַר מַאן הַאי אִיתַּחִיל גּוּפֵיהּ דְּקָא מַחֵיל חוּלָּא דְּמוֹעֲדָא  ⁦The Gemara relates that Rav H …

Talmudic Panic Attacks Bava Kama 80 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 21st, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the plight of a pious person who suffered pain in his heart. He was recommended a treatment of fresh goat's milk suckled directly from the goat, which involved a violation of rabbinic law of keeping cattle in Eretz Yisrael. His colleagues criticized him for this transgression. Maharsha asks, why should he be held liable as this was apparently a serious medical condition? He answers, perhaps this was a condition …

Pesachim 63 Can the Mind Bear What the Heart Feels? Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 22nd, 2021

Man is a creature at war with himself. Your heart wants one thing, your mind tells you you should want something else. What are we to do and stay sane?  The Gemara discusses the halakhic concept of Piv V’lebo Shavim, the requirement that certain declarations are only valid if the intention and the words correspond. For example, if one declares something to be Teruma but meant to say maaser.  Notwithstanding the lomdus and halakha, …

Pesachim 62 Wonder Women Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 22nd, 2021

Should any woman, on the basis of her gender, refrain from studying Torah?  If a woman does study Torah, what status can she achieve?  Can she become a Talmid Chacham and would people treat her as such? Our Gemara toward the end of amud beis mentions Beruriah, the daughter of Rav Chananya ben Tradyon and wife of Rabbi Meir. She was a great Torah scholar who learned three hundred Halachos from three hundred rabbis in one day. She is even …

Pesachim 61 I Said “I Love You” Already! Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 22nd, 2021

Maharal (netzach yisrael 48) compared אנכי ה in the עשרת הדברות to אנכי אנכי הוא מנחמכם from ישעיה נא. In the עשרת הדברות which is about Hashem’s essence it is necessary to say “I” only once. In Hebrew אנכי is a stronger “I” than “אני״. Compare the English word “me” to “ I”. However in the prophecy of the future there is a doubling …

Pesachim 60 But...No Buts! Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 22nd, 2021

The Gemara discusses the sugya of Tefos L’shon Rishon, which is a complex analysis of how do we understand the intent and enactment of a statement made, that has two contradictory parts.  The opinion of Tefos L’shon Rishon is that either we assume that his primary intent was in his first words, or that his first words become activated and that whatever is said second does not have power.  While this may be true in lomdus, in …

Pesachim 59 Respect for the Sinner Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 22nd, 2021

The Gemara notes (toward the top of amud beis) that the owners of the sacrifice achieve their forgiveness via the priests eating from the korban. The Ramah (Toras HaOlah II:25) discusses a number of features of the Asham and Chattas sacrifices that show a beautiful regard for human dignity.  Since these were sin offerings and the consumption of the sacrificial meats achieved the forgiveness, the Torah made certain restrictions to spare embar …

Daf Pesachim 58 Hard Work Pays Off Psychology of the

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 22nd, 2021

  Tosafos “keiylu” (second on amud beis) discusses certain features of the Jewish calendar, including that Pesach never falls out on Friday, which means Shavuos never falls out on Shabbos. Peri Latzaddik (Sefer Kedushas Shabbos 3) notes the dichotomy that the first Shavuous, when the Torah was given actually occurred on Shabbos, never again to be repeated. What is the significance of this? He explains that the way of the world is …

Pesachim 57 Things Do NOT Go According to the Plan Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 22nd, 2021

Our Gemara (toward bottom of amud aleph) discusses the sins of the sons of Eyli, cohanim right at the beginning of the prophet Shmuel’s ascendancy. Though Gemara Shabbos (55b) says that the Sons of Eyli did not sin in such a grave manner as to actually commit adultery which is literally in the text, Rashi (Op. Cit.) says they indeed did sin in terms of inappropriately confiscating the sacrificial meats. The sons of Eyli and all their descen …

Knocking on the Wrong Door Nedarim 89 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 22nd, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis relates a story of a person who was impetuously determined to study Torah.  In fact, he made a vow that if he married before he “learns the halachos”, he would be forbidden to benefit from anything in the world.  It is a matter of debate what he meant by “learning halachos”.  Some of the commentaries are vague, though it does seem that it means mastery of the known body of practical t …

Diverse But United Bava Kamma 81 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 22nd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis informs us that each Jewish Tribe had in its portion in Israel with at least some land in the mountains, and some in the lowland, and some in the countryside, and some in the valley. Why is this important for us to know? There is this idea that each tribe has a particular role and perspective within Torah observance. We may deduce this logically, because otherwise, unless each tribe’s culture and approach has somethi …

Moed Kattan 12 Fear of Getting What You Want Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 23rd, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses situations where an Odom Chashuv, that is a dignified scholar, must take certain stringencies upon himself over the regular folk. Throughout Shas this term is used to signify a person of some status that confers an additional level of responsibility. There is an interesting Gemara in Kiddushin which uses the term Odom Choshuv in a different light. The Maharal uses this as a springboard for a discussion about the …

Golems, Pedagogy and Sex Robots Nedarim 90 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 23rd, 2023

  Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes a verse in Yeshaiyahu 24:23 describing the cosmic changes of the Messianic era: וְחָֽפְרָה֙ הַלְּבָנָ֔ה וּבוֹשָׁ֖ה הַחַמָּ֑ה כִּֽי־מָלַ֞ךְ ה׳ צבקות בְּהַ֤ר צִיּוֹן֙ וּבִיר֣וּשָׁלַ֔͏ִם וְנֶ֥גֶד זְקֵנָ֖יו כָּבֽוֹד Then the moon shall be ashamed, And the sun shall be abashed. For the LORD of Ho …

The Bitter and the Sweet Bava Kamma 82 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 23rd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph relates a Midrashic retelling of a Biblical story. The Torah (Shemos 15:22-25) states: וַיַּסַּ֨ע מֹשֶׁ֤ה אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ מִיַּם־ס֔וּף וַיֵּצְא֖וּ אֶל־מִדְבַּר־שׁ֑וּר וַיֵּלְכ֧וּ שְׁלֹֽשֶׁת־יָמִ֛ים בַּמִּדְבָּ֖ר וְלֹא־מָ֥צְאוּ מָֽיִם׃  Then Moses caused Israel to set out from the Se …

Evolution in the Talmud??

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 24th, 2020

Most religious people are aware of the various schools of thought in how to reconcile the Biblical account of creation in six days and the fossil records which seem to indicate a long, gradual process of evolution from simple organisms to the more complex. The most religiously uncomplicated approach is that the Torah’s authority takes precedence over any seeming evidence, and it’s not something to be overly troubled by. Theories come …

Moed Kattan 13 The Sins of the Fathers Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 24th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses situations where if a father violated a prohibition of Chol Hamoed, and is fined by the rabbis by being forbidden to get benefit, are the sons who inherit the father also subject to that penalty? We must first ponder, why should the sons be held accountable for their father’s misdeeds? Rashi offers a simple explanation: If the father were still alive, his possessions would be subject to the penalty, and th …

Reviving a Dead Sex Life Nedarim 91 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 24th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis relates a true story and interesting quandary for an accused adulterer.  This fellow heard the husband approaching the house and hid behind the door.  From his vantage point, he noticed a snake had deposited its venom on some vegetables.  When the husband was about to eat, he called out to him to save his life, but also blew his cover.  The Gemara wonders, is his honesty a sign that he did not commit ad …

Miscarriages of Justice Bava Kamma 83 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 24th, 2024

  Our Gemara on Amud Aleph derives from a verse that the Divine Presence does not rest upon the Jewish people if they number fewer than 22,000.  However, the way this idea is illustrated by the Gemara is difficult to understand.  דָּרֵישׁ רַבִּי דּוֹסְתַּאי דְּמִן בֵּירֵי: ״וּבְנֻחֹה יֹאמַר שׁוּבָה ה׳ רִבְבוֹת אַלְפֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל״ – לְל …

Pesachim 65 Existential Choice and Circumstance Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 25th, 2021

Why do we become who we are? Is it choice? Is it because of the family and circumstances we were born into? Do we end up doing what we choose, or what G-d needs us to do to fulfill His plans for the world? The Paschal Sacrifice was brought in the Bais HaMikdash via three shifts, by halakhic mandate. That is, the entire population of Jews who came to bring the sacrifice would be divided into three shifts in the courtyard of the Temple, presumably …

Pesachim 64 Integrity at All Cost Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 25th, 2021

Sometimes we are in situations where the cost of publically standing tall and defending our beliefs are great. What does it take to be steadfast and consistent in your beliefs, despite all social pressures?  Who in Jewish history can we draw strength as role models? Our Gemara (amud beis) in passing alludes to the remarkable story of Akvaya ben Mehallal-El, as described in more detail in Mishna Eduyos (5:6-7). It begins with a dispute betwee …

Moed Kattan 14 Release from Hard Labor Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 25th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us that an infant born with a lot of hair may cut it on Chol HaMoed. This is because it is analogous to the person released from prison who also is allowed to get a haircut since he had no ability to do so before Yom Tov. The Gemara rhetorically asks, who could be more imprisoned than a child in the womb? That is, of course he is not free to get a haircut in utero.   This Gemara provides a peshat for a difficul …

When You Point a Finger, Three Other Fingers Point Back at You Nazir 2 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 25th, 2023

We have discussed many times in Psychology of the Daf (see Nedarim 78), Chazal were ambivalent about pious declarations of abstention, such as the vows of the Nazirite, and as the Gemara on daf 4b explains in regard to Shimon Hatzaddik’s suspicion regarding the sincerity of Nazirite vows. Yet, with proper intention and maturity to handle this period of abnegation, it can be a catalyst for humility and change. Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells …

Stigma and Seeking Help for a Child Bava Kamma 84 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 25th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the process by which we determine compensation for a debilitating injury inflicted upon a child. The Talmudic jurisprudential method for evaluating disabling loss and damages to a person is by considering the value of this person if he was sold as a slave, what was his prior market value versus his current value with his disability. Since such an appraisal is demeaning, the Gemara records an incident where the f …

Pesachim 66 Angry Personality Disorder Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 26th, 2021

Is getting angry just a bad habit and a poor character trait, or does it cause worse damage? Is anger only a problem if it comes out in aggression, or is a state of rage morally problematic, even if physically kept in check?  The Gemara in Shabbos (105b) warns: Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar says in the name of Ḥilfa bar Agra, who said in the name of Rabbi Yoḥanan ben Nuri: One who rends his garments in his anger, or who breaks his vessels in h …

Moed Kattan 15 Resilience After Trauma Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 26th, 2022

Our Gemara tells us that an Avel is forbidden to bathe. The Ritva (“Vayenachem”) asks, do we not see that King David bathed after the death of his son? When did this occur? The story that unfolds in Shmuel II:12 is that after the incident of King David and Batsheva, the prophet Nosson rebukes him. Though David Hamelech repented he still was told that the son born from Bat Sheva will die (verse 14.) The child became Ill and David Hamel …

In the End, It’s Just a Matter of Time Nazir 3 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 26th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes a verse in Daniel (22:17): וָאֶשְׁמַ֞ע אֶת־הָאִ֣ישׁ ׀ לְב֣וּשׁ הַבַּדִּ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר מִמַּ֘עַל֮ לְמֵימֵ֣י הַיְאֹר֒ וַיָּ֨רֶם יְמִינ֤וֹ וּשְׂמֹאלוֹ֙ אֶל־הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וַיִּשָּׁבַ֖ע בְּחֵ֣י הָעוֹלָ֑ם כִּי֩ לְמוֹעֵ֨ד מֽוֹעֲדִ֜ים וָחֵ֗צ …

The Importance of Transition Bava Kamma 86 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 26th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a case where a person inflicts damage upon a person by pouring a caustic agent on the person’s head that causes permanent baldness.  Each category of damage is evaluated, loss of livelihood, pain, medical bills, actual loss of physical feature, and humiliation. How does loss of hair interfere with livelihood and/or cause pain? The Gemara explains that this person was a dancer or performance artist, an …

Healing Attitudes Bava Kamma 85 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 26th, 2024

Should a person inflict damages upon another person, he is also liable to also pay his medical bills, aside from the loss of productivity, pain and humiliation.  Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses a number of scenarios where the damager might seek to minimize his losses by economizing, such as offering to heal the person himself if he has the medical skills, or to use a friend who would provide the service as a courtesy. These cost cutting s …

Pesachim 67 The Consequences of Isolation Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 27th, 2021

Is quarantine and enforced isolation disempowering? When forced to disengage from the community are you a strictly a victim, or is there something redeeming about the experience?  No one wished Corona on anyone, but many will talk about unforeseen benefits of temporary lockdowns and working from home on family relationships and personal stress reduction. The content of today’s daf is filled with religiously prescribed social and geogra …

Moed Kattan 16 Troublemakers Can Serve a Purpose Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 27th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud discusses some of the interchanges between Korach, Dasan and Aviram and Moshe. Have you ever wondered why did Dasan and Aviram last so long? Typically, when Jews in the midbar sinned they would be met with swift justice, a plague from heaven or capital punishment for insurrection. Yet, Dasan and Aviram seem to act with impunity. First, they quarrel with each other and ignore Moshe’s rebuke (Shemos 2:13, Rashi Op. Cit and …

Don't Be So Humble - You Are Not That Great Nazir 5 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 27th, 2023

(Quote from Golda Meir) There is a humorous story about an up and coming student who attended one the great mussar yeshivos in Europe.  In this yeshiva, there was an attic where the more pious would meditate on their state of smallness in the world.  Of course, one did not have the temerity to THINK that he is so big, as to attempt to become so small. By some kind of unwritten pecking order, only certain people dared to enter that upper …

Paradise Lost Nazir 4 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 27th, 2023

Our Gemara on amud aleph seems to indicate that Kiddush with wine is part of the Deoraysa (Biblical) mitzvah of declaring Shabbos, and not merely a rabbinic requirement.  Therefore, it may be that one would not be able to fulfill the Biblical obligation of Kiddush Friday night without wine (although this is subject to debate, compare the mefaresh “Harey Mushba”, 4b with Tosafos. Also see Rabbenu Tam, Sefer Hayashar 62.) If we are …

Plenty of Other Joes Out There

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 28th, 2021

Is it not enough to be a moral person? Is there any added value in being Jewish beyond the essentials of morality found within cultural heritage and traditions? Meaning, can a person, albeit in a less predetermined manner, achieve the same morality and spiritual accomplishments just by living a good life and being a good person? Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us that Rav Yosef would especially celebrate on Shavuous. Rav Yosef declared that if not …

Moed Kattan 18 Are Soul Mates Decreed in Heaven? Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 28th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the permissibility of marrying a woman on Chol HaMoed.  Shmuel said: It is permitted to betroth a woman on the intermediate days of a Festival, lest another come and betroth her first. (Betrothal is Eirusin, where the bond of marriage is accomplished but they do not yet have nisuin, living together.) The Gemara raises a question about the ruling itself: And did Shmuel actually say that we are concerned that …

Moed Kattan 17 Unbearable Urges Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 28th, 2022

People often repeat this line, “Hashem does not give you a nisayon (challenge) that you cannot overcome.”  While this might inspire some to work even harder to overcome it, what about those who fail to overcome it?  Shall they now feel like a double failure, that they failed in whatever challenge, and on top of that, it really was something that could have been overcome, and God even promises that?  If this is a theolog …

Blind Faith Bava Kamma 87 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 28th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph shares Rav Yosef’s musings about his status as a blind person: At first, I would say: If I hear one who says that the halacha is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda, who says: A blind person is exempt from the mitzvos, then I will host a festive day for the Sages. What is the reason? It is that I am not commanded and nevertheless I perform mitzvos. But now that I heard this statement of Rabbi Ḥanina, as …

Pesachim 70 I Can't Get No Satisfaction Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 29th, 2021

Can one feel content and still not be satisfied with the status quo?   Can a person work hard to change yet also practice acceptance? The Gemara on the top of amud Aleph refers to the unique Requirement that the Paschal lamb be eaten in a state of satiation. Actually it must be, as the Meiri points out, not in a state of being stuffed and unable to eat. Rather in a state bordering on full, which will become full with the consumption of the o …

Pesachim 69 It Is Easier to Bleed than Sweat Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 29th, 2021

When is it normal to sacrifice and risk one’s own well being? How do you know the difference between noble and self-destructive? The Gemara (end of amud aleph) notes that even a routine bris milah in a healthy child induces a state of danger. This got me thinking about mitzvos we perform that viewed from a physical perspective are “unhealthy” but are still mandated. Here are a few: Childbirth and labor, though a routine part of …

Back to the Future Nazir 6 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 29th, 2023

  Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the challenge of the Nazir who unfortunately becomes exposed to a corpse.  The verse seems to indicate that he must start his counting all over again.  So whatever time he pledged to become a Nazir must now be repeated after he undergoes a purification process. The verse states (Bamidbar 6:12): וְהַיָּמִ֤ים הָרִאשֹׁנִים֙ יִפְּל֔וּ כִּ֥י טָמֵ֖א נִזְ …

The Dawn of Jewish Nationalism Bava Kamma 88 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 29th, 2024

  Our Gemara on Amud Aleph references the scripturally derived requirement that a Jewish king must be from a Jewish mother. Additionally, Tosefta Sanhedrin (4:6) requires the king to stem from kosher lineage, i.e. not from a forbidden sexual relationship. Sefer Mish’an Mayim (Vayeshev), based on a Mizrachi, uses this idea to explain the quarrel between Yosef and his brothers. The verse states (Bereishis 37:8): וַיֹּ֤אמְרוּ …

Megillah 22 What She Says Rings True Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 2nd, 2022

Rashi (“Roshei Chadashim”) on this daf and other Rishonim refer to the custom that women do not work on Rosh Chodesh. The origin of this custom stems from Pirke DeRabbi Eliezer (45) which notes a discrepancy in the verses of Shemos 32:2 and 3. Aharon suggests that they take the gold earrings from their wives, children and sons but the verse reports what happened, it states only “their rings”, implying that only the men off …

Can You Take Back What You Say? Nedarim 69 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 2nd, 2023

Don’t you wish you had a relationship rewind button?  Wouldn't it be nice if after we said something stupid or hurtful, we can just delete it?  No long tortured apologies, just, “Oops, I should not have said that, please strike it from the record!” Our Gemara on this Daf discusses various permutations of the father’s and/or husband’s ability to annul the young daughter’s, or wife’s, vow.  O …

The Fog of War Bava Kamma 61 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 2nd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses an interlude in King David’s life that involved getting a message about a halakha on the battlefront (symbolically represented as bringing water, Shmuel II:23). According to one version, the halakhic question had to do with whether it is permitted to destroy another person's possessions in order to save himself. The Gemara interprets David’s “pouring out the water” as quoting the halakha …

Moed Kattan 19 When is a Mitzvah not a Mitzvah? Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 30th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the ways it is permissible to write Tefilin on Chol Hamoed. Presumably, this Gemara would seem to prove that Tefilin are worn on Chol Hamoed, as otherwise what could be the pressing need to allow for them to be written? Tosafos (“Rabbi Yosi”) suggests that the Mishna may be written from the point of view (Eiruvin 96b, the opinion of Rabbi Meir and Rabbi Yehuda) that Tefilin are permitted on Shabbos a …

All In a Day’s Work Nazir 7 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 30th, 2023

Our General on Amud Aleph references the halakhic definition of a day, which is the day behind the prior night. This is learned from verses in Bereishis, “It was evening, it was morning.” Therefore, most Jewish practices that begin or end on a certain day, start the evening before. As of course, Shabbos and Yom Tov begin on the evening before. A notable exception to this rule is for counting days of validity for eating the meat of a s …

Secure Attachment Bava Kamma 89 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 30th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the financial value to the kesuba for the woman. The kesuba is a right to receive payment if there is divorce or death of the husband. However, while she is married, she has no particular claim. Yet, in theory, she could sell “options”, to “cash in on the policy” if her husband predeceases her.  There is a dispute as to whether the proceeds of such a sale would go to her, or since sh …

Pesachim 71 It Takes A Lot of Mesiras Nefesh to Have Fun Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 31st, 2021

What does the term “Pure Joy” mean? Does this connote that the Joy is undiluted with sadness or other negativity, or does this connote that the intention is pure. The Gemara on amud aleph quotes the verse about rejoicing on Yom Tov (Devarim 16:15):  שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֗ים תָּחֹג֙ לַיהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ בַּמָּק֖וֹם אֲשֶׁר־יִבְחַ֣ר יְהוָ֑ה כִּ֣י יְבָרֶכְ …

Moed Kattan 20 Dying of Heartbreak Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 31st, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph and Beis tells us an interesting story about how Rav broke the news of his father’s death to his uncle, in an indirect manner: When Rav went there, Eretz Yisrael, his uncle Rabbi Ḥiyya said to him: Is your father, Aivu, still alive? ⁦Not wishing to deliver unfortunate news, Rav said to him: Is my mother still alive? In other words, why do you not ask me about my mother, who is your sister, whether she is still a …

Mission Accomplished Nazir 8 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 31st, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us about a man who accepted upon himself 365 consecutive Naziriyos, (30 days x 365). Upon his completion of this cycle he passed away. This story brings to awareness the idea that sometimes a person may be living off the merit of a particular mitzvah or purpose, and if he stops, it could be the end of the line. Similar to an old brick wall that was held up with dirt and moss in the cracks in the place of cement. If …

The Dignity of Another Bava Kamma 90 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 31st, 2024

Our Mishna on Amud Aleph teaches  One who strikes another must give him a sela. Rabbi Yehuda says in the name of Rabbi Yosei HaGelili that he must give him one hundred dinars. If he slapped another on the cheek, he must give him two hundred dinars. If he slapped him on the cheek with the back of his hand, which is more degrading than a slap with the palm, he must give him four hundred dinars. We see increasing amounts of compensation that ar …

Pesachim 43 More than Skin Deep Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 3rd, 2021

The Gemara describes various women’s cosmetics and if they are kosher for Passover. Kind of like a Babylonian OU Passover Guide. The purpose of these cosmetics according to this Gemara was to remove body hair and soften the skin.  I would like to say, it goes without saying that the Gemara considered it a perfectly normal expression of human behavior for women to want to look beautiful, and take pains to do so. However, it does not see …

Megillah 23 It Goes Without Saying, But I’ll Say It Anyway Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 3rd, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us the source for the requirement of 10 men to create a minyan, which ultimately comes from the 12 Meraglim who were referred to as an עדה רעה an evil congregation. If you subtract the two virtuous spies, that being Calev and Yehoshua, you are left with ten. There is a fascinating pattern that emerges. Often significant halachos of positive and meaningful import are learned out from less than ideal circumstance …

Written Correspondence Nedarim 70 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 3rd, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes a verse in Bamidbar (30:7-8): וְאִם־הָי֤וֹ תִֽהְיֶה֙ לְאִ֔ישׁ וּנְדָרֶ֖יהָ עָלֶ֑יהָ א֚וֹ מִבְטָ֣א שְׂפָתֶ֔יהָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָסְרָ֖ה עַל־נַפְשָֽׁהּ׃  If she should become someone’s [wife] while her vow or the commitment commitment Lit. “utterance of her lips.” to which she bound herself is sti …

Renewing Your Vows Bava Kamma 62 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 3rd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the status a forced sale: : תְּלוּהּ וְזַבֵּין – זְבִינֵיהּ זְבִינֵי If one was strung up so that another could coerce him to sell a certain item, and he sold it, his sale is a valid sale. This indicates that a sale under duress is considered a valid sale. Some opinions hold that if one receives payment, though technically he may not want to sell it, his acceptance of the …

Pesachim 44 Cruise Control Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 4th, 2021

The Gemara discusses that we learn from the verse by Nazir which prohibits bread soaked in wine two possible halakhic ideas. The first principle is Ta’am Keikar, that taste is forbidden like the actual wine itself. The second is heter mitztaref le-issuer, that permitted food matter and forbidden food matter can combine to form a kzayis of forbidden food, even when technically there isn’t a full kzayis of forbidden substance. The Noam …

Megillah 24 I Don’t Feel Like Thinking, But I Think Like I Feel Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 4th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis describes the rabbinic apprehension of the Maaseh Merkava, the “Heavenly Chariot” described in Yechezkel’s vision. Though they are unable to see it with their eyes, they are able to comprehend it with their heart.  Rav Gershon Henoch Leiner (1839-1890), a third rebbe in the Ishbitzer dynasty, writes about this idea in Shaar Haemunah Veyesod Hachasidus (24). He maintains that despite that people like …

Married to Your Parents Nedarim 71 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 4th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis (as well as 68a) references the dispute between the House of Shammai and the House of Hillel, what actually happens when a husband nullifies his part of the vow, when there is a requirement that he do it jointly with the father (such as a na’arah who is an arusa).  The lomdishe question is, does the husband cut the vow precisely in half (meygaz gayyaz), that is his share of the vow is broken, or does he weaken t …

Desires versus Wishes Bava Kamma 63 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 4th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes a series clauses in the verses that discuss the process of bringing the tithes of produce to the Temple (Devarim 14:24-26): וְכִֽי־יִרְבֶּ֨ה מִמְּךָ֜ הַדֶּ֗רֶךְ כִּ֣י לֹ֣א תוּכַל֮ שְׂאֵתוֹ֒ כִּֽי־יִרְחַ֤ק מִמְּךָ֙ הַמָּק֔וֹם אֲשֶׁ֤ר יִבְחַר֙ ה׳ אלקיך לָשׂ֥וּם שְׁמ֖וֹ שָׁ֑ם כִּ֥י …

Pesachim 45 Champions are Brilliant at the Basics Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 5th, 2021

Champions are Brilliant at the Basics: John Wooden Rav Yosef makes an interesting exclamation, which essentially translates as, “Have the Tannaim been removed from the world?” Meaning, why is it not possible to attribute the contradiction to two different Tannaitic opinions? This unique phrase occurs five times in Shas, and always coming from Rav Yosef. We should wonder what might be unique about Rav Yosef that he had a habit of using …

Megillah 25 Control, Delete Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 5th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes the famous verse in Devarim (10:12): “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you other than to fear the Lord your God” The Gemara comments: Rabbi Ḥanina said: Everything is in the hands of Heaven, except for fear of Heaven. The fact that God asks man only for one thing, to fear Him, indicates that it is the only thing that is in man’s ability to do. In other words, many of our envir …

Don’t Bring Baggage into the Marriage Nedarim 72 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 5th, 2023

Our Mishna on amud beis tells us: מַתְנִי׳ דֶּרֶךְ תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים, עַד שֶׁלֹּא הָיְתָה בִּתּוֹ יוֹצְאָה מֵאֶצְלוֹ, אוֹמֵר לָהּ: כׇּל נְדָרִים שֶׁנָּדַרְתְּ בְּתוֹךְ בֵּיתִי — הֲרֵי הֵן מוּפָרִין. וְכֵן הַבַּעַל, עַד שֶׁלֹּא תִּכָּנֵס לִרְשׁוּתוֹ, אוֹ …

Humans Always Are Growing Bava Kamma 65 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 5th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the halakha that even a day-old bull is called a bull, and even a day-old ram is called a ram.  Sefer Chayyim V’chessed (272) observes that this principle is based on the biological truth that animals tend to be born with all the basic skills and instincts they need to survive. In comparison, a human newborn is helpless and needs decades of instruction and modeling by his or her parents to develop the …

Early Admissions Bava Kamma 64 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 5th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the halakhic principle that if one who admits he is liable to pay a fine, than he is exempt from actually having to pay it. This pardoning applies even if, after his admission, witnesses come forward with independently valid testimony that would have convicted him. The Shalah (Aseres HaDibros, Yoma, Torah Ohr 23) understands this as true metaphysically in relation to sin and God’s punishment. The power of c …

46 Sinners and Saints Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 6th, 2021

Our Gemara quotes a Mishna that skins that are worked and processed lose their status of Tum’ah, with the exception of human skin which remains impure.  Based on this difference, there is an important polemic between a Saducee and a Sage recorded in Mishna Yadayim 4:6.  The dispute is as follows: How does rabbinic law make sense? They render scrolls of scripture as impure, while Greek sacred literature (possibly referring to Homer …

Megillah 26 Holy Objectives Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 6th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis describes the difference between objects utilized FOR a mitzvah versus objects that are utilized in service of something that has an intrinsic holiness. For example, a Lulav or a Succah is an object used for a mitzvah, however a mantle for a Sefer Torah, Aron Kodesh, or a tefilin bag is an object of the holy, Tashmishe Kedusha.  That is, it serves an object that has Kedusha or holiness. The objects of the holy cannot …

Understudy and Understood Nedarim 74 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 6th, 2023

In our Gemara on amud beis, after hearing a particularly insightful piece of Torah from Rabbi Akiva, Ben Azai laments, “Woe to Ben Azzai, who did not serve under Rabbi Akiva.”  Meaning, he had opportunity to learn more from Rabbi Akiva if he would have become his assistant or shamess. Torah consists of practical wisdom, and certain matters cannot be learned in a shiur but must be seen and experienced live. This idea is critical, …

The Company You Keep Nedarim 73 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 6th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a scenario of wo women who are accused of infidelity and are required based on the evidence to go through the Sotah trial and ordeal in order to either prove innocence or encourage confession. These women do not undergo the ordeal together, as one person’s resolve might give the other inappropriate courage. Rashi (Sotah 8a) explains that if one of the women honestly did not commit adultery and therefore su …

Pesachim 47 Erev Shabbos Madness Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 7th, 2021

The Gemara quotes a verse about the Manna, which it uses as a basis to prohibit preparing on Yom Tov for Shabbos, but by default also indicating the importance of preparing before Shabbos for Shabbos. וְהָיָה֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשִּׁשִּׁ֔י וְהֵכִ֖ינוּ אֵ֣ת אֲשֶׁר־יָבִ֑יאוּ וְהָיָ֣ה מִשְׁנֶ֔ה עַ֥ל אֲשֶֽׁר־יִלְקְט֖וּ י֥וֹם ׀ יֽוֹם׃ (Shemos 16:5) …

Megillah 28 Never go to Bed in a Fight? Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 7th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us of a pious practice of Rabbi Nehunya and Mar Zutra: ⁦Rabbi Neḥunya also said: Nor did I ever allow the resentment caused by my fellow’s curse to go up with me upon my bed. This is referring to conduct such as that of Mar Zutra. When he would go to bed at night, he would first say: I forgive anyone who has hurt me. There is a practice amongst married couples who have a rule not to go to sleep in a fight. …

Megillah 27 Names and Dignity Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 7th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis lists practices that different Rabbis attributed as the cause of their longevity, among them Rabbi Zakkai: Rabbi Zakkai was once asked by his disciples: In the merit of which virtue were you blessed with longevity? He said to them: In all my days, I never urinated within four cubits of a place that had been used for prayer. Nor did I ever call my fellow by a nickname. And I never neglected the mitzva of sanctifying the day …

Gut Renovation Bava Kamma 66 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 7th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the concept of Takkanas Hashavim, a special allowance made for a penitent. Usually, if someone stole an item he is not permitted to merely pay the owner for the object, but rather he must return the object, so long as it has not been materially transformed into a different object, such as stealing wool and making it into a garment. Thus, a thief who later wants to repent can sometimes find himself in a predicamen …

Pesachim 49 Ordinary Everyday Sexual Trauma Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 8th, 2021

The Gemara offers important advice: תַּנְיָא, הָיָה רַבִּי מֵאִיר אוֹמֵר: כׇּל הַמַּשִּׂיא בִּתּוֹ לְעַם הָאָרֶץ, כְּאִילּוּ כּוֹפְתָהּ וּמַנִּיחָהּ לִפְנֵי אֲרִי. מָה אֲרִי דּוֹרֵס וְאוֹכֵל, וְאֵין לוֹ בּוֹשֶׁת פָּנִים — אַף עַם הָאָרֶץ מַכֶּה וּבוֹעֵל, וְא …

Pesachim 48 Pornography in Modern Times Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 8th, 2021

The Gemara references a pasuk in Devarim 7:26, which states: You must not bring an abhorrent thing into your house, or you will be proscribed like it; you must reject it as abominable and abhorrent, for it is proscribed. וְלֹא־תָבִ֤יא תֽוֹעֵבָה֙ אֶל־בֵּיתֶ֔ךָ וְהָיִ֥יתָ חֵ֖רֶם כָּמֹ֑הוּ שַׁקֵּ֧ץ ׀ תְּשַׁקְּצֶ֛נּוּ וְתַעֵ֥ב ׀ תְּֽתַעֲבֶ֖נּו …

No Offense, But…Nedarim 75 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 8th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a dispute between Rabbi Eliezer and the sages regarding if a husband can preemptively nullify a vow in advance.  Rabbi Eliezer argues (I am skipping some lomdishe details) via kal v’chomer that if a person can annul an existing vow, certainly he has the ability to annul a vow before it even starts.  However, the sages refute this kal v’chomer with the following observation:  Although on …

You Can Lead The Horse To Water, But You Cannot Make Him Say Tashlich Bava Kamma 67 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 8th, 2024

Our Gemara discusses the concept that a stolen item can eventually become owned by a thief if it becomes substantially changed (though he still must pay for the object). One of the criteria that establish substantial change is if there is a change in the name and descriptor of the object. This can apply even to arbitrary name changes, such as if an ordinary myrtle branch which is now designated for the mitzvah changes from Asa (Hadassah) to Hosha …

Megillah 29 Joy and Levity, not Solemnity Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 9th, 2022

Our Gemara in Amud Aleph tells us: One interrupts his Torah study to carry out the dead for burial and to escort a bride to her wedding. However, the Gemara naturally wonders how many people are required to give these events their appropriate due respect?  Should an entire Bais Medrash empty out in order to celebrate a wedding or a funeral? The Gemara qualifies this ruling: In what case is this statement said? Only where there are not suffic …

Innocent Until Improved Guilty Nedarim 76 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 9th, 2023

Continuing our discussion of the Kal V’chomer discussed on the previous daf, the Rosh (“אינו דין”) discusses the following scenario: A person, while fully immersed in the Mikvah, touches a dead sheretz (a number of crawling animals that the Torah considers impure when dead), and then while still holding the sheretz, touches a vessel.  There is a debate amongst poskim as to what point of the immersion process sheds th …

The Power of Rationalization Bava Kamma 68 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 9th, 2024

  Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses why the cattle rustler who proceeds to slaughter or sell the animal, after he already stole it, incurs an additional penalty of 4 or 5 times the value of the sheep or ox respectively: אָמַר רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא: מִפְּנֵי מָה אָמְרָה תּוֹרָה טָבַח וּמָכַר מְשַׁלֵּם אַרְבָּעָה וַחֲמִשָּׁה? מִפְּנֵי שֶׁנִּשְׁתּ …

Encountering the Other Shabbos Daf 126 & 127

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 10th, 2020

מְפַנִּין אֲפִלּוּ אַרְבַּע וְחָמֵשׁ קֻפּוֹת שֶׁל תֶּבֶן וְשֶׁל תְּבוּאָה מִפְּנֵי הָאוֹרְחִים וּמִפְּנֵי בִטּוּל בֵּית הַמִּדְרָשׁ, אֲבָל לֹא אֶת הָאוֹצָר. One may clear away even four or five baskets of straw or produce to make room for guests or on account of the neglect of the study hall, but not the storehou …

Magnification or Focus Kesuvos 4 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 10th, 2022

It’s not fashionable to discuss stereotypical differences between how the genders process and express emotions, because it can lead to dismissing or mocking feminine emotionality. However, in truth there is no shame in having strong and intense experience of emotions, and it offers advantages in terms of the ability to be intuitive and nurturing. There is an interesting Rashash that discusses these gender differences to explain a halakhic d …

Facilitating Repentance Without Enabling Moral Laxity Gittin 55 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 10th, 2023

In our Gemara on Amud Aleph, a discussion arises regarding a Rabbinic dispensation made to facilitate the repentance of a thief. According to biblical law, if a person steals something and the stolen object remains intact, it must be returned to its original owner. However, if the object has significantly changed or has been lost or destroyed, the thief is obligated to provide monetary compensation. This creates a dilemma for a thief who has stol …

The Toxic Trait of Defensiveness Bava Basra 15 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 10th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud beis laments the sad state of affairs during the Biblical Era of the Judges   And further, with regard to Rabbi Elazar’s statement in the baraisa that the generation of the judging of the Judges was one of vanity, Rabbi Yoḥanan says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “And it happened in the days of the judging of the Judges” (Ruth 1:1)? This indicates a generation that judged its judges. If …

Succah 5 We Cannot Help But Be Human Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 11th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis describes the Cherubim as two human child forms. There is something odd about the entire concept of having Cherubim in the holy of Holies. One of the most taboo objects in the Torah are graven images. In fact, the Rambam in the beginning of the Laws of Idolatry lists no less than 49 negative prohibitions and two positive Commandments regarding idolatry. How then can we account for graven images in what is arguably the holi …

Building the Inner Sanctuary Kesuvos 5 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 11th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph through Beis relates several teachings of Bar Kappara, which at first do not seem linked, but we shall see are connected:   There are two optimal days for marriage, Thursday and Friday. Thursday because the blessing for the fish to be fruitful and multiply was stated (Bereishis 1:22), and Friday because the blessing for Man was stated (ibid, 28).  The preference is for the marriage day to be Friday if not for c …

Just Following Orders Gittin 56 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 11th, 2023

In our Gemara on Amud Aleph, we encounter the poignant story of Kamtza, who was humiliated and expelled from a party while the sages remained silent. Seeking revenge, Kamtza hatched a plan to make the government believe that the rabbis were rebelling. To provide evidence, he intentionally caused a minor injury to the eye or lip of an animal designated for sacrifice. Although this was not an obvious blemish, it rendered the sacrifice invalid accor …

No One Dies From A Question Bava Basra 16 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 11th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses some of Iyov’s complaints and confusion regarding his seemingly undeserved suffering and calamities:   “The earth is given into the hand of the wicked, he covers the faces of its judges; if not he, then who is it?” (Job 9:24). Rava says: Job sought to turn the bowl upside down, that is to say, he alluded here to a heretical thought, as he said that the earth is given into the hand of the w …

Is it Wrong to Abuse an Artificial Intelligence Shabbos 128

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 12th, 2020

Shabbos 128 וְהָא קָא מְבַטֵּל כְּלִי מֵהֵיכֵנוֹ! סָבַר מְבַטֵּל כְּלִי מֵהֵיכֵנוֹ דְּרַבָּנַן, צַעַר בַּעֲלֵי חַיִּים דְּאוֹרָיְיתָא, וְאָתֵי דְּאוֹרָיְיתָא וְדָחֵי דְּרַבָּנַן. The Gemara asks: Does he not, by placing the cushions and blankets, negate a vessel’s preparedness? The cushions and bla …

Succah 6 New Understandings of the Oral Torah Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 12th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the derivation and dispute between Rabbi Shimon and the Sages about the walls of the Succah. In one iteration of the discussion, there was an idea that the three verses that mention the word Succah account for three walls of the Succah. Then there is an oral tradition from Sinai about an additional wall - but the dispute between Rabbi Shimon and the Sages was about whether the tradition is to subtract a wall to t …

An Original Slant on an Ancient Practice Kesuvos 6 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 12th, 2022

  In today’s Psychology of the Daf, we are going to discuss an ancient sexual practice from the time of the Talmud, and what it can teach us about sexual ethics in marriage. Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses some technical halakhic aspects of a virgin having intercourse for the first time on Shabbos. Since there can be bleeding, is this considered inflicting a wound, which is forbidden to do on Shabbos?  There are numerous iterati …

Bizarre Punishments and Their Meaning Gittin 57 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 12th, 2023

In our Gemara on Amud Aleph, we encounter the description of the afterlife punishments for three infamous evildoers: Bilaam, Titus, and Yoshka. Bilaam was destined to be boiled in semen, Yoshka was fated to suffer in boiling excrement, and Titus received the punishment of being ground and burned to dust. These punishments are difficult to understand literally, so let us delve into their symbolic meaning. The Maharal provides an explanation (Netza …

Charity Begins in the Uterus Bava Basra 18 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 12th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses the damage that mustard might cause to a nearby beehive, and the various liabilities that neighbors have toward each other:   “One must likewise distance mustard from bees that are in a neighbor’s field.”   Rashi explains that the mustard is sharp and that taste causes the bees to seek out a sweet taste afterward, inducing them to consume their own honey. Which is, of course, a loss o …

Tasteless Sin Bava Basra 17!Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 12th, 2024

Our Gemara at the end of 16b and beginning 17a teaches us that certain great tzaddikim were able to get a taste of the World to Come, while still alive on this earth. One of these righteous persons was our forefather, Yaakov.   Be’er Mayyim Chaim (Bereishis 32:33) expands on this concept with an interesting take in regard to the ancient Jewish custom and prohibition of not eating the sciatic nerve.   After Yaakov’s mostly su …

Self Care Shabbos 129 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 13th, 2020

Shabbos 129 for Video Shiur click here to listen:  Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 129 רַב וּשְׁמוּאֵל דְּאָמְרִי תַּרְוַיְיהוּ: כׇּל הַמַּקֵּיל בִּסְעוּדַת הַקָּזַת דָּם — מְקִילִּין לוֹ מְזוֹנוֹתָיו מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם, וְאוֹמְרִים: הוּא עַל חַיָּיו לֹא חָס, אֲנִי אָחוּס עָלָיו?! I …

Succah 7 Marriage Counseling from The House of Hillel Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 13th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis records a dispute between the House of Shammai and the House of Hillel regarding if one can fulfill the mitzvah of Succah (properly) if his head and most of his body is in the Succah, but his table is in the house. Beis Shammai holds that the rabbis forbade this set up, as it could lead too easily to being drawn to eating in the house. (See Tosafos Yom Tov Mishna Succah 2:7 for a discussion of what Beis Shammai would hold …

Sex Vs. Intimacy Kesuvos 7 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 13th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the nature of the Blessing over Eirusin (betrothal). According to one opinion, the blessing is a simple one without a concluding blessing.  According to another opinion, the blessing has a closing benediction.  The Gemara suggests the basis of the dispute is about whether we compare the betrothal blessing to a blessing on food or mitzvos, which are short and do not conclude with a blessing, or it is com …

Stubborn Conviction Gittin 58 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 13th, 2023

In our Gemara on Amud Aleph, we encounter a story that portrays an unusually callous and cruel fate suffered by some of the youth after the fall of Jerusalem to the Romans. It is based on the ancient belief that conceiving a child while beholding aesthetically pleasing images would result in beautiful offspring. The noble Romans would have attractive images placed by their bedsides for this purpose. Interestingly, this belief is also present in J …

Self-Defeating Behavior Shabbos 130 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 14th, 2020

DAF YOMI from a psychological perspective, Shabbos 130. For Mareh Mekomos, Click Belowלֵיכָּא כְּתוּבָּה דְּלָא רָמוּ בַּהּ תִּיגְרָא. for Video Shiur click here to listen:  Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 130 בית יוסף אה״ע קנד, מד כתוב בתשובת הרא"ש ורבי' בסי' קי"ח כתב הריב"ש בסט"ו על אדם שאין לו בנים ורצה לישא זקנה בת צ' …

Succah 8 What Kind Of Jew Are You? Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 14th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph uses a rule of thumb that a person’s body occupies one cubit. This phrase is understood metaphysically by Rav Tzadok HaCohen (Kometz Mincha 1:81). There is a phrase called, “The four cubits of halakha”, which Rav Tzaddok explains to be referring to the four dimensions of Torah: Peshat, Remez, Derash and Sod. These are not easy to translate, but suffice it to say that they represent increasingly esoteric …

Attitude of Gratitude Kesuvos 8 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 14th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis cautions against making negative and pessimistic declarations, as somehow verbalizing them can cause them to come about.  Jewish tradition most definitely believes in the power of words.  A number of sources that were brought to my attention,, courtesy of Rabbi Moshe Elafant’s sugya shiur on this daf are:   A Teshuva of the Rashbah (Hameyuchas Leramban 286) states that we cannot know sometimes why bad …

The Pedagogical Benefits of Leadership Gittin 60 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 14th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph presents the hierarchy of individuals called to the Torah: אַחֲרֵיהֶן קוֹרְאִין תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים הַמְמוּנִּין פַּרְנָסִים עַל הַצִּבּוּר, וְאַחֲרֵיהֶן תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים הָרְאוּיִין לְמַנּוֹתָם פַּרְנָסִים עַל הַצִּיבּוּר, וְאַחֲרֵיהֶן בְּנֵי תַּ …

Torah and Greatness in One Place Gittin 59 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 14th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph describes Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi as a unique combination of Torah knowledge and greatness. While the exact definition of greatness is not fully outlined, it appears to encompass attributes such as wealth, status, prestige, and wisdom. One manifestation of this combination is evident in the special relationship between Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi and a Roman official named Antoninus. The Gemara in Avodah Zara (10b) documents their lo …

The Torah as a Force of Civilization Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 131

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 15th, 2020

The Torah as a Force of Civilization and Social Justice וְמִתְּקִיעָה דְּיוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים לֵיכָּא לְמִיגְמַר — דְּאָמַר מָר: תָּקְעוּ בֵּית דִּין שׁוֹפָר, נִפְטְרוּ עֲבָדִים לְבָתֵּיהֶם וְשָׂדוֹת חוֹזְרוֹת לְבַעֲלֵיהֶן. From the sounding of the shofar of Yom Kippur, the principle that actions that …

Succah 9 Talking in Shul and Passive Aggressiveness Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 15th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph Speaks of the manner in which the wood of the Succah becomes set aside and holy for the mitzvah, and cannot be used for any other purpose during the holiday. There is a powerful Shalah (עשרת הדברות, מסכת סוכה, נר מצוה כ) Who relates experiences he had from his own Rebbe, which he ties into the teachings of this gemara: The Shalah starts out with a reminder of the importance of not speaking idle wo …

By Your Blood Shall Ye Live Kesuvos 10 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 15th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a case of a woman who was lacking in menstrual blood, and also possibly those who tend to have less menstrual and virginal blood. On the one hand it is considered an advantage, in reducing questions about Niddah. But it also presents a problem regarding fertility.  This ambivalence about menstruation on a practical level is also discussed in a mystical sense by Rav Tzaddok in Peri Tzaddik (Lag Baomer 5):&nbs …

Self-Determination, Autonomy and Authority Kesuvos 9 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 15th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph and Rashi (“Ne’eman”) refer to a basic Talmudic principle known as Shavya Anafshei Chaticha Deissura, which means that a person has the ability to declare something to be forbidden based on his belief, even if there is no compelling evidence.  Thus, he must conduct himself as if it is forbidden, even if to outsiders there is no such obligation. The commentaries debate the conceptual underpinning of …

The Power of Innocent Torah Bava Basra 20 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 15th, 2024

Our Mishna on Amud Beis discusses that though one may object to a neighbor opening a store in a residential courtyard, if the neighbor teaches Torah to children he is allowed to do so despite the traffic and noise pollution.    Our sages had much to say about the value of young children learning Torah. The Gemara Shabbos (119b) famously states:   אמר ריש לקיש משום רבי יהודה נשיאה: אין העולם מתק …

Making Conscious Decisions Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 132

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 16th, 2020

Making Conscious Decisions  Shabbos 132 for Video Shiur click here to listen:  Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 132    מִילָה דּוֹחָה אֶת הַצָּרַעַת, מַאי טַעְמָא? דְּאָתֵי עֲשֵׂה וְדָחֵי לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה. Initially the tanna thought that circumcision overrides leprosy. What is the reason for this? He relied on the principle that a positive mitzva comes and override …

Succah 11 Finding God on the Inside and the Outside Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 16th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes the famous dispute between Rabbi Eliezer and Rabbi Akiva about the meaning of the Scripture’s  description of Succos: As it is taught in a baraisa that the verse states: “I made the children of Israel to reside in sukkos ”; these booths were clouds of glory, this is the statement of Rabbi Eliezer. Rabbi Akiva says: They established for themselves actual sukkos. The Peri Tzaddik (Succos 13) won …

Succah 10 Is There Enough Room for Your Chumros? Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 16th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us that decorations in the Succah do not invalidate height requirements but they do invalidate width requirements. That is, the minimum height of a Succah is 10 tefachim, and even if some of that is used up by decorations that is not reducing the space. However, the minimum width is seven tefachim, and decorations will reduce that space. The commentaries try to understand what is the technical difference between heig …

Equanimity as a Moral and Psychological Attainment Gittin 61 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 16th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes a verse from Mishlei (10:25): כַּעֲב֣וֹר ס֭וּפָה וְאֵ֣ין רָשָׁ֑ע וְ֝צַדִּ֗יק יְס֣וֹד עוֹלָֽם׃ "When the storm passes the wicked man is gone, But the righteous is an everlasting foundation." While there are various interpretations, the simple meaning of the verse suggests that the righteous possess a certain stability and are not disoriented or disrupted by th …

The Anti-Avraham Bava Basra 21 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 16th, 2024

  Our Gemara on Amud Aleph offers ancient wisdom and ideas regarding pedagogy of young school children:   אמר ליה רב לרב שמואל בר שילת: עד שית לא תקביל, מכאן ואילך – קביל, ואספי ליה כתורא. ואמר ליה רב לרב שמואל בר שילת: כי מחית לינוקא, לא תימחי אלא בערקתא דמסנא. דקארי – קארי, דלא קארי – ל …

Change and the Mesorah Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 134

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 17th, 2020

מַתְנִי׳ מַרְחִיצִין אֶת הַקָּטָן בֵּין לִפְנֵי הַמִּילָה וּבֵין לְאַחַר הַמִּילָה, וּמְזַלְּפִין עָלָיו בַּיָּד, אֲבָל לֹא בִּכְלִי. רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן עֲזַרְיָה אוֹמֵר: מַרְחִיצִין אֶת הַקָּטָן בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁי שֶׁחָל לִהְיוֹת בְּ …

Is it Permitted to Charge Fees for Medical Information Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 133

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 17th, 2020

דַּרְשַׁהּ רָבָא בְּמָחוֹזָא, קַרְעִינְהוּ בְּנֵי מִנְיוֹמֵי אָסְיָא לְמָנַיְיהוּ. אֲמַר לְהוּ: שְׁבַקִי לְכוּ חֲדָא. דַּאֲמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: הַאי מַאן דְּמָשֵׁי אַפֵּיהּ וְלָא מִנַּגֵּיב טוּבָא — נִקְטְרוּ לֵיהּ When Rava taught this cure in Meḥoza, the sons of Manyo …

Children of Baale Teshuva Kesuvos 11 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 17th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses different scenarios of conversion, such as if parents convert with children, as well as possibly if the child is an orphan and adopted, if he can be converted by the Beis Din and go to a foster family. Because a minor cannot really give consent, there also is a discussion about whether he can renege when he becomes Bar Mitzvah. The Rishonim, including Tosafos, grapple with the legal and halakhic mechanisms that …

The True King Psychology of the Daf Yomi Gittin 62

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 17th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a prohibition against excessively friendly greetings toward pagans, such as repeating a blessing of peace, as opposed to merely responding, which would be proper courtesy. However, Rav Kahana seemed to have a different practice: וְאֵין כּוֹפְלִין ״שָׁלוֹם״ לְגוֹי: רַב חִסְדָּא מַקְדֵּים וְיָהֵיב לְהוּ שְׁלָמָא. רַב כָּהֲנָא אֲמ …

Healthy and Unhealthy Competition Bava Basra 22 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 17th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses ways in which the usual rabbinic market protections do not apply to teachers of Torah, thus one melamed cannot object to another encroaching on his territory. The reason is that competition makes for better education. The Gemara’s wording is more broad, suggesting a larger application:
קנאת סופרים תרבה חכמה.
Jealousy among teachers increases wisdom
This is taken as a bro …

Honesty and Exaggeration in Shidduchim Kesuvos 12 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 18th, 2022

How much exaggeration is normal when describing a Shidduch? How much should the person himself or herself disclose about flaws? How much should others? We will discuss these matters from a halakhic and psychological perspective over the next two dappim. Our Gemara states that if a man married a woman who was previously married and maintained she was a virgin, even if it turns out that she wasn’t, the husband has no claim that the marriage w …

Affirmative Inaction Gittin 63 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 18th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis records a halakhic question that a number of Rabbis were unable to resolve. They then sent the message to Rabbi Chiya bar Abba, who also was not able to come to a clear answer. His response to them was: נִתְיַישֵּׁב בַּדָּבָר. We will consider the matter and then respond. The root of this Hebrew word is to sit or settle. Rav Chiya bar Abba said, “First, let us enter into a calm contemplative stat …

Highly Sensitive Persons Bava Basra 23 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 18th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us about Rav Yosef, one of the most respected sages of the Talmud, who describes himself as more sensitive than typical. This has halachic implications for what types of nuisances and pollution his neighbors must remove. In a different Gemara (Succah 29a), Rav Yosef’s sensitivity also has implications on when he is exempted from the mitzvah of Succah, with a lower threshold of tolerance for discomfort than oth …

Stillborns, Miscarriages and Mourning Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 135

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 19th, 2020

  אָמַר מָר: וְלֹא סָפֵק דּוֹחֶה אֶת הַשַּׁבָּת. לְאֵתוֹיֵי מַאי? לְאֵתוֹיֵי הָא דְּתָנוּ רַבָּנַן: בֶּן שִׁבְעָה, מְחַלְּלִין עָלָיו אֶת הַשַּׁבָּת. וּבֶן שְׁמוֹנָה, אֵין מְחַלְּלִין עָלָיו אֶת הַשַּׁבָּת. סָפֵק בֶּן שִׁבְעָה סָפֵק בֶּן שְׁמו …

Succah 13 Soul Mate, or Sole Mate? Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 19th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph uses the following phrase to explain why a naturally Occurring bundle of reeds is still kosher for schach even though, in general, bundles are not kosher for schach: אֶגֶד בִּידֵי שָׁמַיִם לָא שְׁמֵיהּ אֶגֶד Binding at the hand of Heaven is not considered a binding The Sod Yesharim (Succah 1, and Succah 15) interprets this phrase allegorically. The Zohar (I:85b) famously tells us that a …

Succah 12 You Would be Miserable if You Had Everything You Wanted Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 19th, 2021

The Gemara on Amud Aleph states: ⁦Rabbi Yoḥanan said that the verse states: “You shall prepare for you the festival of Sukkos for seven days as you gather from your threshing floor and from your winepress” (Deuteronomy 16:13), and the Sages interpreted that it is with regard to the waste of the threshing floor and of the winepress that the verse is speaking. One uses grain stalks and vines for roofing the sukka, materials that are …

Years and Tears Later: The Price of Lies and the Price of Truth Kesuvos 13 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 19th, 2022

  Our Gemara on this daf continues a discussion of case law where important information was allegedly withheld prior to marriage and discovered later.  In yesterday's Psycholgy of the Daf, we discussed the obligations of others to reveal information. Continuing this theme, we will discuss the halachos and psychology of self-disclosure of flaws prior to marriage. There is a Teshuva of Rav Moshe Feinstein regarding a young woman who was s …

Marriage Roulette Gittin 64 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 19th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a scenario where somebody sends a messenger to choose for him a woman to marry. This is not merely sending him to marry a specific woman, but actually trusting him to discern who would be a fitting wife and being empowered to enact the marriage on his behalf. This is the precise scenario that Avraham proposed to his trusted servant, Eliezer (see Bereishis 24). The Gemara rules that if the messenger dies, or we l …

You Can Take The Bachur Out Of The Yeshiva, But You Can’t Take The Yeshiva Out Of The Bachur Bava Basra 25

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 19th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis offers segulos for wisdom and wealth:
אמר רבי יצחק: הרוצה שיחכים – ידרים, ושיעשיר – יצפין, וסימניך: שלחן בצפון ומנורה בדרום. ורבי יהושע בן לוי אמר: לעולם ידרים, שמתוך שמתחכם מתעשר – שנאמר: ארך ימים בימינה, בשמאלה עשר וכבוד״.
Rabbi Yitzḥak says: One who …

Homing Pigeons Bava Basra 24 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 19th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the habits of a chick-dove that does not fly, and merely hops, in that it will not stray further than line-of-sight to its nest. This has implications to determining its origin and ownership if it is found nearby.
The Torah uses a nest as a metaphor for being in Hashem’s embrace as is stated in Devarim (32:6):
הלוא־הוא אביך קנך הוא עשך ויכננך
Is not this the Fat …

Yoma 82 How Much Does a Fetus Know? Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 1st, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis contrasts two situations where a pregnant woman became endangered due to cravings on Yom Kippur.  Because of the severity of Yom Kippur, the rabbis attempted to calm the fetus, whom they believed was the source of the cravings.  They said to the woman, “Today is Yom Kippur”, hoping the fetus will be reminded of how important a day it was, and restore itself without eating.  In the case where the …

Decoding Mother in Law Hatred Yevamos 117 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 1st, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph and Beis discusses various halakhic ramifications of mother in law to daughter in law hatred.  What does psycholgy and contemporary social research say about trends and comments of mothers in law? Researchers Christine E. Rittenou and Jody Koenig Kellas surveyed prior research and itemized and described various forms of hurtful content within Mother-in-Law (MIL) communication: (Rittenour, Christine E. and Koenig Kell …

I Didn’t Really Mean It! Yevamos 116 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 1st, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses circumstances where there is suspicion of bias in testimony from a woman that her husband is deceased.  One such situation is, “when there is a marital discord.” The Gemara seeks to define the term more precisely: קְטָטָה בֵּינוֹ לְבֵינָהּ וְכוּ׳. הֵיכִי דָּמֵי קְטָטָה בֵּינוֹ לְבֵינָהּ, אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר …

Red-Handed Rationalizations Bava Basra 6 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 1st, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis describes various partitions between two yards and their function. One of them is known as misepas, which can be a barrier, only ten handbreadths high, and a smaller barrier, even less than ten handbreadths. Both small partitions are ineffective in keeping out intruders or line of sight, but the taller one is big enough that a trespasser cannot innocently claim he didn’t realize he was on private property. This has c …

Wake Up Call Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 136

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 20th, 2020

אֲמַר לֵיהּ רָבִינָא לְרַב שֵׁרֵבְיָא: בְּאוּרְתָּא אֲמַר רָבָא הָכִי, לְצַפְרָא הֲדַר בֵּיהּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ שְׁרִיתוּהָ? יְהֵא רַעֲוָא דְּתִשְׁרוֹ תַּרְבָּא. Ravina said to Rav Sherevya: In the evening Rava indeed said so, as you said; however, in the morning he retracted his statement, and that is what I cited. Rav …

Succah 14 Pitching Your Story to Yourself and Others Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 20th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph once discussing the pitchfork, which in Hebrew is עתר, notes that the Biblical language used to describe Yitschok’s prayers that his wife become pregnant was ויעתר. The Gemara compares the prayers of a Tzaddik to a pitchfork in that it can completely overturn the nature of his fate as a pitchfork tosses the grain on the threshing floor. The Ben Ish Chai (Benayahu) uses word play to show how literally fate is …

Verbal Self-Defense Kesuvos 14 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 20th, 2022

  Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses an interesting scenario of the Mamzer Veshasak, which means that a person is accused of being a mamzer, but does not object.  This can be seen as an indicator of admission.  However, in apparent contradiction to this,  the Gemara in Kiddushin (71b) tells us: When two people quarrel with each other, observe which of them becomes silent first. We can assume the silent party is of finer lineage …

The Adolescent Brain and Torah Thought Gittin 65 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 20th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph delves into the stages of maturity and de-facto challenges the popular misconception that reaching the age of bar or bas mitzvah automatically grants full adulthood according to Jewish law. The rabbis recognized that maturity and judgment are not black-and-white distinctions, as evidenced by their ruling that individuals under the age of 20 do not possess the full capacity to sell inherited real estate. In addition, Gemar …

Religious Bullying

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 21st, 2017

Religious Bullying By Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, LCSW-R & Chaya Feuerman, LCSW-R Reprinted Courtesy of the Jewish Press   What is faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound…is it Superman?  No, not in this article.  Rather, it is the halakhic shaalah!  Think about it. How many times have you been involved in an organization, shul, workgroup, or inte …

Unconditional Love?

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 21st, 2019

Joseph was one of those impossible teenagers. He was sullen, absorbed in computer games and social media. He refused to have even a slightly pleasant or respectful conversation with his parents. His grades in school were awful and any time his parents tried to talk to him about it, the discussion would degrade into shouting and cursing. The fighting sometimes became frighteningly aggressive, especially between Joseph and his dad.   Joseph&rs …

True Good Deeds - No Artificial Ingredients

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 21st, 2020

Shabbos 137 תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן, הַמָּל אוֹמֵר: ״אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל הַמִּילָה״. אֲבִי הַבֵּן אוֹמֵר: ״אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַכְנִיסוֹ בִּבְרִיתוֹ שֶׁל אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ״. הָעוֹמְדִים אוֹמְרִים: ״ …

Succah 15 Intelligent Design Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 21st, 2021

The Gemara and Mishna on this Daf discuss the concept of תעשה ולא מן העשוי, which is the requirement that the Schach for the Succah be placed on the Succah with intention as a shade or cover, and not just automatically end up on top. Say you had a vine that grew on top of your Succah frame, even if you cut the vine so it no longer was attached to the ground, it still would not be valid as Schach. However, a small action such as shif …

Why Do They Throw Stuff at the Chosson? Kesuvos 15 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 21st, 2022

Our Mishna on Amud Beis refers to a custom where they would give out roasted grain at the wedding ceremony of a virgin.  What is the basis and symbolism of this custom? Abudarham Laws of Blessings Ninth Gate Blessings on Commandments Marriage Blessings, quoting a verse (Tehilim 147:14) השם גבולך שלום חלב חטים ישביעך which equates peace with abundance of plump grain.  Thus, we are wishing upon the marriage peace …

Performing Under Pressure: Cultivating Focus and Wisdom Gittin 67 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 21st, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph delves into the virtues of various sages, including Rabbi Yehuda, who is peculiarly described as "wise when he wishes to be" (חָכָם לִכְשֶׁיִּרְצֶה). Rashi's interpretation of this phrase does not seem particularly praiseworthy, but to answer this, Tosafos adds that it implies Rabbi Yehuda can surpass Rabbi Meir (who was mentioned earlier) in wisdom when he puts in extra effort. So it is about Rav Yehu …

Only the Shadow Knows Gittin 66 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 21st, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph delves into the distinction between a person and a demon by examining their shadows. While a person can cast a shadow and even have an additional shadow, a demon can only have one shadow, not two. What does this distinction truly mean? Casting shadows symbolizes having influence or indirect effects. In this light, a shadow of a shadow represents an even more indirect effect. Perhaps, the teaching suggests that demons are …

Jewish Environmentalism Bava Basra 26 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 21st, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the prohibition of cutting down a fruit bearing tree. This is a matter that is taken seriously, and the Gemara even relates a story about someone who died, apparently from the spiritual backlash of this destructive act.
Rabbenu Yonah (Shaarey Teshuva 3:82) says this prohibition extends to any wasteful or destructive act, and warns to not even waste a penny. While this commandment is common sense and basic …

Prophecy and Ruach HaKodesh in Modern Times Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 138

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 22nd, 2020

  תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: כְּשֶׁנִּכְנְסוּ רַבּוֹתֵינוּ לַכֶּרֶם בְּיַבְנֶה אָמְרוּ, עֲתִידָה תּוֹרָה שֶׁתִּשְׁתַּכַּח מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״הִנֵּה יָמִים בָּאִים נְאֻם ה׳ אֱלֹהִים וְהִשְׁלַחְתִּי רָעָב בָּאָרֶץ לֹא רָעָב לַלֶּחֶם וְלֹא צ …

Succah 16 Succah in Search of Man Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 22nd, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph describes another invalid scenario of תעשה ולא מן העשוי: If there was a large pile of hay in a field and then one hollowed out a living space, “igloo style” inside the pile, it would not be kosher as a Succah. Even though the material is all kosher and the size is correct, since he hollowed out the internal space, the roofing Schach only came into being inadvertently. Noam Elimelech (Bereishis Va …

Does This Dress Make Me Look Fat? Kesuvos 17 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 22nd, 2022

We will continue our discussion from yesterday's daf about the famous dispute between Shammai and Hillel over whether one should be honest when praising the Kallah or exaggerate.  Tosafos points out the obvious, that Bais Shammai was not advocating actively discussing her flaws.  Bais Shammai was simply saying either keep quiet or focus on praising the Kallah for her genuine good qualities, but do not lie.  Bais Hillel though was e …

Let God Fill in the Blanks Kesuvos 16 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 22nd, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis begins a discussion about how to praise and dance before the Kallah.  Much ink has been spilled and thousands of hours of Sheva Berachos Torah has been created on discussing the famous machlokes of Beis Shammai and Beis Hillel regarding whether the Kallah should be praised in an exaggerated fashion or not.  Over the next two daf, I will discuss a few interesting and out of the box interpretations of this often qu …

Insurrection Bava Basra 27 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 22nd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the famous lomdishe concept of Bereira. Bereira is the idea of retroactive designation. For example, say you have a barrel of untithed wine, and you designate the last ounces to be Terumah, without actually separating them. The wine is now a combined mix of sacred Terumah and Chulin, but if one allows for Bereira, then the initial act of declaring the tithe falls on whatever ounces of wine are left at the end of …

Sober Responses to Suffering Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 139

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 23rd, 2020

  וְאָמַר רַבִּי מַלַּאי מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי יִצְחָק מַגְדְּלָאָה: מִיּוֹם שֶׁפֵּירַשׁ יוֹסֵף מֵאֶחָיו לֹא טָעַם טַעַם יַיִן, דִּכְתִיב: ״וּלְקׇדְקֹד נְזִיר אֶחָיו״. And Rabbi Mallai said in the name of Rabbi Yitzḥak from Migdal: From the day that Joseph took leave from his brothers, he did not sample a taste …

Succah 18 Shrimps and Bullies Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 23rd, 2021

Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses non-kosher fish and various physical signs. Two of them that are most famously known as they are explicitly mentioned in the pasuk, are not having fins or scales. The Shalah (של״ה, תורה שבכתב, ויקרא, דרך חיים שמיני ה) offers an explanation for why these species are not kosher. Most are familiar with the obvious concept that the non-kosher beasts and birds are predators as opposed to th …

Succah 17 Spiritual Bent Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 23rd, 2021

Our Gemara discusses the various spaces that can be accounted for within the schach, that are legally kosher but not actual Schach. They are: under 3 tefachim of blank space (lavood), under four tefachim of space used by material that ordinarily is not kosher for Schach, and up to four amos contiguous from any wall of material not ordinarily kosher for Schach. The Gemara describes the latter as “Dofan Akuma”, a bent wall. That is, leg …

What We Have When We Have Nothing Gittin 68 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 23rd, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis recounts a period in Solomon's life when he was usurped by the Asmadai demon, who took his place, forcing Solomon into exile. The verse, "And this was my portion from all of my toil" (Ecclesiastes 2:10), raises a question: What is the meaning of the expression "And this"? The Gemara explains that this expression typically refers to an item that is actually in the person's hand or can be shown. Rav and Shmuel offer differen …

Occupied Territories Bava Basra 28 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 23rd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the ruling that testimony that one occupied a field or home for three years consecutively without any claims, it establishes a presumption of ownership. Yet this chazakah is only used to support a valid claim, such as, “I purchased this land many years ago and lost the bill of sale.” But if he makes no claim other than he occupied it with no challenges, even if he had testimony that he lived there for …

Attachment Issues Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 141

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 24th, 2020

  תְּנַן: נוֹטֵל אָדָם אֶת בְּנוֹ וְהָאֶבֶן בְּיָדוֹ? אָמְרִי דְּבֵי רַבִּי יַנַּאי בְּתִינוֹק שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ גַּעֲגוּעִין עַל אָבִיו. We learned in the mishna: A person may take his son in his hands on Shabbat; and this is permitted even though there is a stone in the child’s hand. As it can be inferred from this mishna that th …

Sexual Blackmail Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 140

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 24th, 2020

  נָקֵיט מַרְגָּנִיתָא בַּחֲדָא יְדֵיהּ וְכוּרָא בַּחֲדָא יְדֵיהּ. מַרְגָּנִיתָא — אַחְוִי לְהוּ, וְכוּרָא — לָא אַחְוִי לְהוּ עַד דְּמִיצְטַעֲרָן, וַהֲדַר אַחְוִי לְהוּ. In order to demonstrate the value of modesty to his daughters, Rav Ḥisda held a pearl in one hand and a clod of earth …

Talmudic Good Samaritan Law Kesuvos 18 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 24th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the Talmudic equivalent of the Good Samaritan Law. Namely, that even though ordinarily someone who makes a partial admission to a claim is Biblically obligated to make an oath (Shevuas Modeh Bemiktzas), if he is returning a lost object, the rabbis exempted him.  To illustrate, ordinarily if Reuven accuses Shimon of owing him $100, and Shimon denies it, Shimon is Biblically exempt as there is no proof or gro …

Change that is More than Skin Deep Gittin 69 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 24th, 2023

In our Gemara on Amud Aleph, a discussion revolves around a particular eye disease and its potential cure. Tosafos raises a contradiction between our Gemara and Bechoros (38b), where the latter categorizes this disease as a permanent blemish rather than a temporary one. The distinction lies in the fact that a temporary blemish does not render a sacrifice invalid nor allow for its redemption, while a permanent blemish does. (Instead, one must wait …

Preoccupations Bava Basra 29 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 24th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud aleph discusses that the presumption of ownership established via occupation over three years must be consecutive, and not interrupted by any time of non-occupation.    Sefer Daf al Daf uses this idea to explain a verse more deeply. Regarding the obligations to tithe produce, the verse states (Devarim 14:28):   מקצה שלש שנים תוציא את־כל־מעשר תבואתך בשנה ההוא והנחת בש …

Succah 19 Gender Profiling Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 25th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis mentions a structure known as כילת חתנים, literally the canopy bed of the grooms. Bach ( או״ח שטו:ו) describes this structure as a temporary and only made in honor of the chosson. This concept of a canopy for the Chosson is elaborated upon by Ben Yehoyada Pesachim 86b. A man must make a home for his wife so that she becomes attached to him. I know it’s unpopular and not PC to discuss male and female …

The Special Mitzvah of Taking Challah Kesuvos 25 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 25th, 2022

Our Gemara quotes the verse in Bamidbar (15:18) that describes the mitzvah of Challah, “When you enter into the land that I have brought you.” Because of the emphasis on entering the land, as opposed to conquering it, Challah is different than Terumah and other Israel-related produce that is separated and made holy.  The obligations of Terumah and maaser only became activated after the land was acquired.  However, the obliga …

Prerequisites for Penitence Kesuvos 19 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 25th, 2022

How important is regret in the process of repentance? Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes the verse in Bamidbar (5:7) דַּבֵּר֮ אֶל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵל֒ אִ֣ישׁ אֽוֹ־אִשָּׁ֗ה כִּ֤י יַעֲשׂוּ֙ מִכׇּל־חַטֹּ֣את הָֽאָדָ֔ם לִמְעֹ֥ל מַ֖עַל בַּה׳ וְאָֽשְׁמָ֖ה הַנֶּ֥פֶשׁ הַהִֽוא׃ Speak to the Israelites: When men or women indivi …

Health Benefits of Saffron and Talmudic Medicine Gittin 70 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 25th, 2023

In our Gemara on Amud Aleph, there is a discussion about an herb that appears to restore sexual vigor: אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: מִי שֶׁאֵינוֹ בָּקִי בְּדֶרֶךְ אֶרֶץ, לֵיתֵי שְׁלֹשָׁה קְפִיזֵי קוּרְטְמֵי דְחוֹחֵי, וְנֵידוּקִינְהוּ, וְנִישְׁלְקִינְהוּ בְּחַמְרָא וְנִישְׁתֵּי. אֲמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: …

The Exceptional Case of Rav Avraham Danzig Bava Basra 30 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 25th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph recognizes that it is a valid argument for a claimant to maintain he was unaware someone was occupying his land due to him being preoccupied at the market, and was engaged in intense business and trade.    This brings to mind an inspirational historical fact about one the most respected poskim of Jewish history. Rav Avraham Danzig (1748-1820) authored numerous works, most famously his Chayye Adam and Chochmas Ad …

Lies, Truth and Jewish Values

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 26th, 2016

Truth, Lies, Psychology and Jewish Values Reprinted from the Jewish Press  As every cheder child learns in the story about Avraham and Sarah, according to Jewish values, one may alter the truth in order to preserve sh’lom bayis.  However, the ethics, halachos and psychology of truth and lies in relationships are far more nuanced than what we were taught in second grade. The Gemara (Yevamos 65b) states: “R. Ile'a further stat …

Rav Lopian and the Cat Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 142

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 26th, 2020

  וְהָאָמַר רָבָא לְשַׁמָּעֵיהּ: טְוִוי לִי בַּר אֲווֹזָא, וּשְׁדִי מֵיעֵיהּ לְשׁוּנָּרָא. Didn’t Rava say to his attendant on a Festival: Roast a duck for me, and throw its intestines to the cat. Moving the duck’s intestines was permitted in order to feed the cat.  for Video Shiur click here to listen:  Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 142 Picture …

Succah 20 Sins of the Fathers Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 26th, 2021

The Gemara on Amud Aleph uses an interesting phrase, הריני כפרת משכבו let me be an atonement for his resting place. Rashi (here and Kiddushin 31b) explains that the suffering of a son or Talmid could somehow achieve a penance or forgiveness for the father or master. Indeed the halakha is (Ramban Shaar Hagemul 41, Kiddushin 31b, Shulkhan Arukh YD 240:9) that one says this phrase about a deceased father or mother when repeating Torah …

Memory Retrieval and Accuracy Kesuvos 20 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 26th, 2022

The only way we know anything is our memory. We must rely on it to stay sane, make calculations, and learn from experience. But just because it’s all we really have, is it reliable? Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a dispute between Rabbi Yochanan and Rav Huna as to the extent that witnesses can use written notes to remind them of their testimony.  Rav Huna requires that they remember some aspect prior to reading their notes, and the …

Doctor’s Orders Gittin 72 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 26th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses certain legal limitations to an agent. What is considered halakhically as a verbal directive cannot be delegated to an agent. For example, if a man sent another person to direct the scribe as his agent to write the get, such a directive is mere words, and that agent cannot appoint another agent. However, if a man appoints an agent to deliver an already written get to his wife, that agent can appoint another agen …

Healthy Assertiveness Gittin 71 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 26th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph employs a proof text from Psalms (38:14) to define the Hebrew words "Cheresh" as someone who is deaf and "Ilem" as a mute who does not speak: וַאֲנִ֣י כְ֭חֵרֵשׁ לֹ֣א אֶשְׁמָ֑ע וּ֝כְאִלֵּ֗ם לֹ֣א יִפְתַּח־פִּֽיו׃ "But I am like a deaf man, unhearing, like a dumb man who cannot speak up." In the face of mistreatment, the question arises: When is it proper to speak …

Judicial and Rabbinic Fallibility and Infallibility Bava Basra 32 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 26th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses certain situations where the Rabbis of the Bais Din do not overturn a ruling when later evidence and new doubts arise over the original testimony. Simply put, once there is a verdict, the burden of proof to overturn the evidence is much higher. After a legal matter was decided, the “greater good” value of preserving the courts’ popular authority trumps the need to review prior evidence. This is …

The Kuzari Principle Re-Visited Bava Basra 31 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 26th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the legal disposition of two sets of witnesses who cancel each other out, essentially, mutually discrediting the other’s testimony. The reasoning is as follows: Since at least one of them must be lying, thereby due to the conservative nature of law, we cast a shadow of doubt on the legitimacy of both testimonies.   Malbim (Bamidbar 16:28) uses this legal distinction to explain Moshe’s atypical r …

Mother's Milk and Torah Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 143

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 27th, 2020

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF THE DAF Today’s Shiur Shabbos 143
 Mareh Mekomos מֵּא לְרָצוֹן וְשֶׁלֹּא לְרָצוֹן, חֲלֵב הַבְּהֵמָה שֶׁמְיוּחָד בֵּין לִקְטַנִּים בֵּין לִגְדוֹלִים, אֵינוֹ דִּין שֶׁיְּטַמֵּא בֵּין לְרָצוֹן וּבֵין שֶׁלֹּא לְרָצוֹן? אָמְרוּ לוֹ: אִם טָמֵא חֲלֵב …

Succah 21 A Sage Lacking in Common Sense Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 27th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis states : שֶׁאֲפִילּוּ שִׂיחַת תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים צְרִיכָה לִימּוּד Even the conversation of Torah scholars requires analysis. The Rogotchover (צפנת פענח בשלח יג) discusses this concept and which kind of Talmid Chacham we are referring to, in a surprising way. He first begins with quoting the famous dispute between Shimon HaAmsoni and Rabbi Akiva about wh …

Does God “Want” Validation too? Kesuvos 21 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 27th, 2022

Humans are social and dialogic. From our earliest moments, our consciousness and development of mind come from interaction and experience with a loved one. We learn how to live and feel from our mothers’ initially, and then an expanding network of persons, who show love and care by seeing us, empathizing with us, mirroring and interacting with us. Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the possibility of a person serving simultaneously as a witn …

Deal or No Deal Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 144

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 28th, 2020

Shabbos 144 מִידֵּי אִירְיָא? דַּעֲרַבְיָא אַתְרָא, הָכָא — בָּטְלָה דַּעְתּוֹ אֵצֶל כׇּל אָדָם! The Gemara rejects this answer: Is this comparable? Arabia is a place, and a custom practiced in an entire country is significant. Here, with regard to the practice of the house of Menashya bar Menaḥem, who was an individual, his opinion is rendered irrelevant in relation to …

Succah 22 God Will Help, But You Gotta do the Work Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 28th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a dispute about one of the rules about the Schach, regarding a situation where the roofing is very thick. Shulkhan Arukh advises halakha lemaase that the covering should be open enough that one should see the stars, of course still keeping to the requirement that there be more shade than sun. Mishna Berura (636:6) Records an opinion that if the roof is so thick that rain would not even come inside, it is too clos …

Early Sexual Trauma in Marriage Kesuvos 22 & 23 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 28th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph and Beis, discusses a situation where a woman told her husband that she was a niddah, and then later retracted.  The issue is, can we believe her retraction or must she go through a process of counting and Mikvah as if she really was a niddah.  The basic halakha is that if she gives a credible explanation for why she falsely claimed to be a niddah, even though she wasn’t, she is believed.  Notably, an …

Yes Does Not Mean Yes Gittin 74 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 28th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph describes various situations where a wife may be bashful to ask for payments or property promised to her, even though it rightfully belongs to her. While in some ways, female and male patterns of behavior have changed in modern times, it is important to respect that there are also patterns of behavior that remain feminine or masculine for many people. These patterns need to be respected and not ignored. Men and women have …

Do Not Be Too Smart Gittin 73 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 28th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph records Rava criticizing two sages for making an incorrect monetary halakhic ruling that erroneously benefited them, while presenting an unreasonable burden for the ferrymen with whom they made a deal. Rav calls Rav Pappa and Rav Huna, son of Rav Yehoshua, "White Geese." This is an odd epithet. Rashi says the white geese refer to their long white beards, as they were elders. There is some support for this peshat also from …

Grabbing a Mitzvah Bava Basra 33 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 28th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses an interesting legal analysis. In Jewish Law, as in secular law, possession itself confers a powerful presumption of ownership. However, if witnesses testify about the origin point of possession to the extent that it undermines the presumptive owner’s credibility, possession loses its legal force. But what would be the case if the possessor offered an alternative narrative while still not contradicting the …

What is Mazal? Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 146

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 29th, 2020

שֶׁבָּא נָחָשׁ עַל חַוָּה הֵטִיל בָּהּ זוּהֲמָא, יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁעָמְדוּ עַל הַר סִינַי — פָּסְקָה זוּהֲמָתָן, גּוֹיִם שֶׁלֹּא עָמְדוּ עַל הַר סִינַי — לֹא פָּסְקָה זוּהֲמָתָן. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב אַחָא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרָבָא לְרַב אָשֵׁי: גֵּרִים מַ …

The Influenceable Husband Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 145

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 29th, 2020

  אִיתְּעַר בְּהוּ רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן, אֲמַר לְהוּ: דַּרְדְּקֵי! לֹא כָּךְ אָמַרְתִּי לָכֶם: ״אֱמוֹר לַחׇכְמָה אֲחוֹתִי אָתְּ״ — אִם בָּרוּר לְךָ הַדָּבָר כַּאֲחוֹתְךָ שֶׁהִיא אֲסוּרָה לְךָ — אוֹמְרֵהוּ, וְאִם לָאו — לֹא תֹּאמְרֵהוּ. Rabbi Y …

Succah 23 Flash of Insight Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 29th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the halakhic requirement that a Succah must be a temporary dwelling. The commentary of Bas Ayin (Succah 11) written by Rabbi Dov Me-Abritch (1760-1840) offers a symbolic interpretation of this halakha, similar in style to what we have been studying the past few daf. The temporary nature of the Succah reminds us that even when we reach spiritual heights they are difficult to hold onto, and necessarily temporary. …

Why Do People Fake Their Identity? Kesuvos 24 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 29th, 2022

Our Gemara discusses what kinds of testimony is valid to establish lineage. The Gemara has much skepticism about individuals claiming certain lineage.  This makes me wonder, lomdus aside, why not trust a person who declares his identity, especially when in many situations of issur v’heter we trust a person's own testimony, even relating to their food or other personal halakhic issues? We have recently learned of many agunah situations …

Who is Testing Whom? Bava Basra 34 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 29th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses certain legal situations where both claimants have an equally valid argument, and one has no default assumption of ownership over the other:   There was an incident where two people dispute the ownership of property. This one says: It belonged to my ancestors and I inherited it from them, and that one says: It belonged to my ancestors and I inherited it from them. There was neither evidence nor presumptive o …

Identity Crisis Shabbos 118

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 2nd, 2020

for Video Shiur click here to listen:  Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 118 Mareh Mekomos 118b אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹסֵי: מִיָּמַי לֹא קָרִיתִי לְאִשְׁתִּי ״אִשְׁתִּי״...אֶלָּא לְאִשְׁתִּי — ״בֵּיתִי״,. Furthermore, Rabbi Yosei said that he always spoke euphemistically: In all my days, I did not call my wife, my wife, ...Rather, I called my wife, my home, becaus …

Love Lust and Oneg Shabbos, Shabbos 117

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 2nd, 2020

Mareh Mekomos 117 for Video Shiur click here to listen:  Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 117   117b אָמַר רַב אָשֵׁי: חֲזֵינָא לֵיהּ לְרַב כָּהֲנָא דְּנָקֵט תַּרְתֵּי וּבָצַע חֲדָא. אָמַר: ״לִקְטוּ״ כְּתִיב. רַבִּי זֵירָא הֲוָה בָּצַע אַכּוּלַּהּ שֵׁירוּתֵיהּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רָבִינָא לְר …

Yoma 84 Proprietary Information and Public Health Policy Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 2nd, 2021

There is a Gemara on Amud Aleph which describes Rabbi Yochanan acting in a seemingly improper manner that is difficult to understand. ⁦Rabbi Yoḥanan suffered from the illness Tzefidna, which first affects the teeth and gums and then the intestines. He went to a certain gentile matron [matronita] who was a well-known healer. She prepared a medicine for him on Thursday and Friday. He said to her: What shall I do on Shabbos, when I cannot come t …

Yoma 83 Can’t You Just Get Over It? Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 2nd, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes a verse from Mishle (14:10), “The heart knows the soul’s bitterness” as a support for the idea that even when the expert physicians do not consider a condition life-threatening, if the person himself does, we treat it as valid. The simple meaning from the Gemara is that we should not judge another person’s pain. Many experiences of mental illness such as trauma, depression, anxiety and the li …

Reish Lakish and the Cannibals Gittin 47 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 2nd, 2023

  The amazing narrative of Reish Lakish's encounter with cannibals, as recounted in our Gemara on Amud Aleph, presents an intriguing tale that warrants deeper exploration: רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ זַבֵּין נַפְשֵׁיהּ לְלוּדָאֵי שְׁקַל בַּהֲדֵיהּ חַיְיתָא וְגֻלְגֻּלְתָּא אֲמַר גְּמִירִי דְּיוֹמָא בָּתְרָא כֹּל דְּבָעֵי מִינַּיְ …

Stages of Moral Development Bava Basra 7 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 2nd, 2024

In our Gemara on Amud Beis, Reish Lakish offers a proof text that sages benefit from a divine shield and watchtower protecting them:   “I am a wall and my breasts are like towers” (Song of Songs 8:10), which may be explained as follows: “I am a wall”; this is referring to the Torah. “And my breasts are like towers. These are Torah scholars, who are as towers, and do not require additional protection.” &nbs …

Succah 25 Sex Education Begins Way Before the Wedding Day Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 30th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the concept of עוסק המצוה פטור מין המצוה one who is involved in a mitzvah is exempted from another mitzvah. One matter that comes up is that a groom, who on the night of his wedding is involved in the mitzvah of consummation of the marriage, and therefore is also exempt from the obligation to recite the Shema. There is a need for a special scriptural exemption for the groom because unlike ot …

Succah 24 Divorce: Writing A New Life Chapter Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 30th, 2021

Our Gemara mentions a number of special and technical requirements for a Get, a Jewish divorcement bill. Unlike marriage, it can be only accomplished through a written document and the document must spell out the “סיפור דברים” The verbal description of what is occurring. Likkutei Halakhos (פריה ורביה אישות א:ב) sees symbolic and metaphysical significance in these legal requirements. In order to break the marr …

Soft Start-Up Gittin 75 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 30th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis wrestles with a linguistic conundrum: how a man should phrase a condition in his Get, to be considered valid and executed a moment prior to his death, but not be activated should he survive. This was a common practice to protect people from falling to Yibum to a much younger brother who is not appropriate to marry: אֶלָּא אָמַר רָבָא: "אִם לֹא מַתִּי לֹא יְהֵא גֵּט, אִם מַתִּ …

Unclaimed Mitzvos Bava Basra 35 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 30th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the legal process known as Shuda Dedayni, which we can translate as judicial discretion. That is, in certain legal situations where there is no evidence to prove one litigant’s possession over the other, the judges are allowed discernment and subjective impressions to use in their rulings. This is different from what we discussed in the prior daf, whereby via Kol De’alim Gavar, the judges recuse them …

Getting it All Done Before Shabbos Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 150

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 31st, 2020

shabbos אֵין מַחְשִׁיכִין. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: מַעֲשֶׂה בְּחָסִיד אֶחָד שֶׁנִּפְרְצָה לוֹ פִּרְצָה בְּתוֹךְ שָׂדֵהוּ וְנִמְלַךְ עָלֶיהָ לְגוֹדְרָהּ, וְנִזְכַּר שֶׁשַּׁבָּת הוּא, וְנִמְנַע אוֹתוֹ חָסִיד וְלֹא גְּדָרָהּ, וְנַעֲשָׂה לוֹ נֵס וְעָלְתָה …

When to Meddle and When Not Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 148

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 31st, 2020

אֶלָּא: הַנַּח לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, מוּטָב שֶׁיְּהוּ שׁוֹגְגִין וְאַל יְהוּ מְזִידִין. Rather, in these matters we rely on a different principle: Leave the Jewish people alone, and do not rebuke them. It is better that they be unwitting in their halakhic violations and that they not be intentional sinners, for if they are told about these prohibitions they may not listen anyway. for Vid …

Culture Bound Expressions of Mental Illness Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 147

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 31st, 2020

וְאֵין עוֹשִׂין אַפִּיקְטְוִיזִין בְּשַׁבָּת. אָמַר רַבָּה בַּר בַּר חָנָה אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: לֹא שָׁנוּ אֶלָּא בְּסַם, אֲבָל בַּיָּד — מוּתָּר. תַּנְיָא, רַבִּי נְחֶמְיָה אוֹמֵר: אַף בַּחוֹל אָסוּר מִפְּנֵי הֶפְסֵד אוֹכָלִין. We also learned in t …

Going Through the Motions Psychology of the Daf Yomi Gittin 76

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 31st, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph delves into various scriptural formulae for conditional statements. One of the verses mentioned by Rashi ("Iycha") is from Yeshaiyahu (Isaiah 1:19). As we have recently concluded the three weeks of mourning for the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash and exile, let us carefully examine this verse: אִם־תֹּאב֖וּ וּשְׁמַעְתֶּ֑ם ט֥וּב הָאָ֖רֶץ תֹּאכֵֽלוּ׃  If, then, you agr …

Myth and Midrash Bava Basra 36 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 31st, 2024

Our Gemara discusses a scenario whereby a farmer expends a kor of seed to sow and retrieves only a kor of produce, resulting in a net zero gain. In such a case, the consumption is not sufficient to establish a chazakah. Since he’s not making any profit; it doesn't raise enough interest on any other potential claimants to make an official objection.   One of the most famous examples of a net zero gain is the Fox Parable from Koheles Rab …

No Hebrew Word for Fail Shabbos 120

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 3rd, 2020

for Video Shiur click here to listen:  Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 120 דְּבָרִים שֶׁאֵין בְּנֵי אָדָם עוֹמְדִין עֲלֵיהֶם אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן נִכְשָׁלִים בָּהֶן. Matters of Torah that people do not ascertain unless they misunderstand them are in your hands;  Isaiah 3:6 כִּֽי־יִתְפֹּ֨שׂ אִ֤ישׁ בְּאָחִיו֙ בֵּ֣ית אָבִ֔יו שׂ …

Ego Defenses Projection Shabbos 119

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 3rd, 2020

for Video Shiur click here to listen:  Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 119 Mareh Mekomos 119 אָמַר מָר בַּר רַב אָשֵׁי: פְּסִילְנָא לֵיהּ לְצוּרְבָּא מֵרַבָּנַן לְדִינָא. מַאי טַעְמָא? — דְּחַבִּיב עֲלַי כְּגוּפַאי, וְאֵין אָדָם רוֹאֶה חוֹבָה לְעַצְמוֹ. Mar bar Rav Ashi said: I am disqualified to sit in ju …

The Psychology of Murder-Suicide Yevamos 118 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 3rd, 2022

  The next two dappim of the Gemara will discuss various situations of self-injury and self-destruction.  The Gemara references Shimshon’s ”Kamikaze” act upon the Philistines.  At the end of his life, deprived of his miraculous strength, he was tied up and mocked in a public stadium.  He prayed that God grant him one last strength, so that he “May die with the Philistines.”  Thus, he was able …

We Shape Our Own Heaven or Hell Psychology of the Daf Yomi Gittin 48

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 3rd, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis delves into the matter of payment and the varying forms it can take depending on the nature and circumstances of the obligation. It teaches us that someone who causes damage and is required to pay from their land assets must pay from the best of their land. However, a debtor who utilizes land may use land of medium quality. In a metaphorical and spiritual sense, mystics discuss how one should perceive sin and its consequen …

The Atheist who is a Masmid Bava Basra 8 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 3rd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph continues to discuss the protective power of Torah study:   אדנביאי – דכתיב: ״גם כי יתנו בגוים עתה אקבצם, ויחלו מעט ממשא מלך ושרים״ – אמר עולא: פסוק זה בלשון ארמית נאמר: ״אי תנו״ כולהו – ״עתה אקבצם״, ואם ״מעט״ מהם – ״יחלו ממשא מלך ושרים״.   And you have tran …

Yoma 85 Having Children and Quality of Life Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 4th, 2021

The Gemara on Amud Aleph Mentions that we save a life, and even prolong a life, despite it being temporary, as the person is going to die anyhow. Aside from the obvious moral lesson here, that every moment of life is sacred, there is an interesting lomdishe discussion found in the Gur Aryeh (Bereshis 4:24).  Rashi quotes a Midrash Tanchuma that after Lemech’s wives had a boy and a girl, fulfilling the commandment to be fruitful and mul …

Self Injurious Instinct Yevamos 119 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 4th, 2022

As we mentioned on the last daf, our Gemaras have been discussing various self destructive impulses. On the last daf we examined self-destructiveness that hurts others simultaneously. On today’s daf we still discuss self-destructive urges that are directed at self instead of others. According to researchers Tiffany B. Brown and Thomas Kimball, there a number of misconceptions about self-harm behaviors as well as functions that should be und …

Unconventional Justice: The Case of the Temple Ox Psychology of the Daf Yomi Gittin 49

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 4th, 2023

The Gemara on Amud Aleph examines the unique and counterintuitive status of an ox that belongs to the Temple. The verse in question is Shemos 21:35: "When one person's ox injures another's, so that it dies, they shall sell the live ox and divide its price; they shall also divide the dead animal." The term "רעהו" or "neighbor" emphasizes a peer-to-peer relationship, indicating that there is no financial liability when causing damage to possess …

Every Yiddle Bit Bava Basra 9 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 4th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis extols the virtue and impact of even small amounts of tzedakah:   Rabbi Elazar: What is the meaning of that which is written: “And He donned charity like a coat of plated armor” (Isaiah 59:17)? This verse serves to tell you that just as with regard to a coat of armor, each and every scale of which it is fashioned combines to form one large coat of mail, so too with regard to charity, each and every peruta …

Yoma 86 Betrayals: When Will You Finally Forgive Me? Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 5th, 2021

The Gemara on Amud Beis states: ⁦Rabbi Eliezer ben Ya’akov says, If one confesses in subsequent years, all the more so is he praiseworthy, as he remembers his earlier sins and is thereby humbled, as it is stated: “For I know my transgressions; and my sin is ever before me” (Psalms 51:5).” This principle is used by our Gemara in reference to obtaining and maintaining God’s forgiveness. However, in my experience, thi …

Face Facts Yevamos 120 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 5th, 2022

What emotions and thoughts show on our faces? Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quoted a verse in Yeshaiyahu (3:9) to prove the importance of witnesses seeing an intact face to identify a dead victim.  הַכָּרַת פְּנֵיהֶם עָנְתָה בָּם Their sinful behavior was evident on their faces. Jewish mystical thought and contemporary psychological thought supports the idea that our faces show much about the inner workings of our psyc …

Intuition Versus Logic Psychology of the Daf Yomi Gittin 50

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 5th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph delves into the complex topic of guarantees in Jewish monetary law. It presents a scenario where a person who volunteers as a guarantor on a kesuba (marriage contract) is exempted from financial responsibility. Typically, a guarantor assumes a commitment due to their respected and wealthy status (See Bava Basra 173b where the prestige of becoming a guarantor and the exchange of money creates an obligation based on receipt …

Truth Will Spring Out Of The Earth Bava Basra 11 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 5th, 2024

Continuing the discussion about the power of tzedakah, our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us about a Gentile king who flouted his family’s hoarding of wealth, and instead donated his assets to charity.    תנו רבנן: מעשה במונבז המלך, שבזבז אוצרותיו ואוצרות אבותיו בשני בצורת, וחברו עליו אחיו ובית אביו, ואמרו לו: אבותיך גנזו והוסיפו על …

Morality as Choice Bava Basra 10 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 5th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph records an important theological discussion about the nature of God and Man, and why God leaves certain aspects of civilization in the hands of man to correct and protect;   תניא: היה רבי מאיר אומר, יש לו לבעל הדין להשיבך ולומר לך: אם אלהיכם אוהב עניים הוא, מפני מה אינו מפרנסן? אמור לו: כדי שניצול אנו בהן מדינה ש …

Discipline of Children and Halakha Shabbos 121

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 6th, 2020

for Video Shiur click here to listen:  Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 121 We learned in the mishna: However, if a Jewish child comes to extinguish a fire on Shabbat, they do not listen to him and allow him to extinguish it, even though he is not yet obligated in mitzva observance, because responsibility for his rest is incumbent upon the Jew. The Gemara seeks to conclude: Learn from this that a child who eats meat from unslaughtered animals o …

It Takes a Village Shabbos 122

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 6th, 2020

 for Video Shiur click here to listen:  Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 122 דְּנֵר לְאֶחָד נֵר לְמֵאָה Bava basra 144b תנו רבנן אחד מן האחין שנטל מאתים זוז ללמוד תורה או ללמוד אומנות יכולין האחין לומר לו אם אתה אצלנו יש לך מזונות אם אין אתה אצלנו אין לך מזונות The Sages taught: With regard to one of the br …

Yoma 87 Forgiveness and Piety Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 6th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph states an interesting practice of Rav Zeira : ⁦It is related that when Rabbi Zeira had a complaint against a person who insulted him, he would pace back and forth before him and present himself, so that the person could come and appease him. Rabbi Zeira made himself available so that it would be easy for the other person to apologize to him. It should be noted that this practice must be taking place AFTER Rav Zeira form …

Curious Instead of Furious Yevamos 121 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 6th, 2022

Curiosity is a powerful relationship tool. We think we know someone else, we think we understand their motives, and we would like to believe we are right and know better. Yet, if we maintain a more curious attitude, especially when we feel frustrated or angry instead of becoming judgmental and indignant, we can turn difficult moments into learning and growth. The Gemara on Amud Aleph relates a story involving the great sages Rav and Shmuel, and h …

The Process of Realizing the Truth Psychology of the Daf Yomi Gittin 51

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 6th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the psychology of why there is an obligation to make an oath when there is partial admission, even though if there is total denial, there is no obligation. At first glance, this does not make sense. Why did somebody who is decent enough to make a partial admission be less credible than a person who totally denies? But of course, human behavior does not follow logic; it also follows emotions. Therefore, the reason …

Sinners and Saints Shabbos 123

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 7th, 2020

DAF YOMI from a psychological perspective Mareh Mekomos for Video Shiur click here to listen:  Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 123   אָמַר רַבִּי חֲנִינָא: בִּימֵי נְחֶמְיָה בֶּן חֲכַלְיָה נִשְׁנֵית מִשְׁנָה זוֹ, דִּכְתִיב: ״בַּיָּמִים הָהֵמָּה רָאִיתִי בִיהוּדָה דּוֹרְכִים גִּתּוֹת בַּשַּׁבָּת וּ …

Yoma 88 The Source of Life Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 7th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph certainly qualifies as one of the more surprising Gemaras in Shas.  Given the intense rhetoric regarding wasting seed in the Gemara, such as Niddah (13a), Kesubos 46a, and Avodah Zara 20b one should see nothing positive in a seminal emission.  Indeed, even this Gemara is ambivalent, noting that one should first worry about surviving the year.  Only after surviving the year, is it possible to see positive po …

Only the Shadow Knows Yevamos 122 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 7th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tried to determine if a disembodied voice that was heard could be trusted as valid testimony. One of the concerns is this voice may have come from a demon instead of a human, and so a process to discern between a true human or a demon is necessary. The Gemara asserts that a demon’s shadow is different than a human’s shadow. While both may cast a shadow, a human’s shadow is capable of having a shadow on t …

Distinctions Between Rabbinic and Torah Law Psychology of the Daf Yomi Gittin 53

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 7th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a judicial concept of damage inflicted that is not visible, such as rendering Teruma food impure (טמאה). The damage is invisible and may not technically incur a legal financial penalty, but the rabbis imposed a financial fine nonetheless. This is because allowing such damage to go unpunished could lead to people vandalizing others' Teruma with impunity. Within this discussion, there is a subset concerning the …

Prophetic Dreams and Their Limitations Psychology of the Daf Yomi Gittin 52

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 7th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a situation where Rabbi Meir made a halakhic ruling, but then was confronted in a dream that he was an error. He stuck to his original logical analysis, and disregarded his dream: הָהוּא אַפּוֹטְרוֹפּוֹס דַּהֲוָה בְּשִׁבָבוּתֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי מֵאִיר, דַּהֲוָה קָא מְזַבֵּין אַרְעָתָא וְזָבֵין עַבְדֵי, וְלָא …

Environmental Impact Study Bava Basra 12 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 7th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the status of a former doorway that was sealed, and at what point is it considered fully sealed with no remnant.  There can be many halachic implications, such as if the door still requires a mezuzah, or if the rights to a loading and unloading area are forfeited to the other occupants of the area.   There is an interesting mystical concern about closing doorways and windows, asserted by Sefer Chasidim …

Human Dignity Shabbos 124

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 8th, 2020

For video shiur click here:  Shabbos 124 יָתֵיב רַב סָפְרָא וְרַב אַחָא בַּר הוּנָא וְרַב הוּנָא בַּר חֲנִינָא, וְיָתְבִי וְקָאָמְרִי: לְרַבָּה אַלִּיבָּא דְּרַבִּי נְחֶמְיָה הָנֵי קְעָרוֹת הֵיכִי מְטַלְטְלִינַן? אֲמַר לְהוּ רַב סָפְרָא: מִידֵּי דְּהָוֵה א …

Succah 2 Head in the Sky Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 8th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a dispute between Rabbah and Rav Zeira as to why a Succah whose schach is higher than 20 amos is not kosher.  Rabbah says: In a sukka up to twenty cubits high, even without a concerted effort, a person is aware that he is residing in a sukka. His eye catches sight of the roofing. However, in a sukka that is more than twenty cubits high, a person is not aware that he is residing in a sukka because his eye doe …

Sinners Count Too Kesuvos 3 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 8th, 2022

To what extent is the sinner given recognition and respect by Torah society. The relationship with the sinner is a complex one with great emphasis placed on the community using social pressure and often legal enforcement to maintain desired behavior. Yet, despite this, there also seems to be a practical acceptance of the existence of sin and sinner, and often Torah society remains accepting and loving as we shall see in today’s discussion. …

It’s Your Bad Luck Kesuvos 2 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 8th, 2022

In our Gemara’s analysis of responsibility to fulfill a wedding date pledge, they discuss different scenarios of unexpected delays. Depending on whose fault or fate the delay is attributed, it makes a difference in if the man becomes obligated in supporting his wife even prior to the wedding. Thus, if the wedding is delayed due to her becoming ill, the Gemara considers that he may still have to pay her support as if he was the one who becam …

Allowing Yourself to Receive Bava Basra 13 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 8th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud beis discusses the legal position of Raban Shimon ben Gamliel regarding the splitting of a courtyard that was held in partnership but it is too small to divide in half and still retain its function or description, such as each part would be less than four cubits:   If a courtyard or the like was not large enough to warrant division into two, and one of the co-owners said to the other: You take a minimum measure of the cour …

Hitting Rock Bottom Shabbos 125

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 9th, 2020

וּבְמַאי קָמִיפַּלְגִי — בְּהַאי קְרָא: ״תַּנּוּר וְכִירַיִם יוּתָּץ טְמֵאִים הֵם וּטְמֵאִים יִהְיוּ לָכֶם״, רַבִּי יְהוּדָה סָבַר: מְחוּסָּר נְתִיצָה — טָמֵא, שֶׁאֵין מְחוּסָּר נְתִיצָה — טָהוֹר. וְרַבָּנַן סָבְרִי: ״טְמֵאִים יִהְיוּ …

Succah 4 Why Do We Hate The People We Loved? Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 9th, 2021

  Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes a verse (Shemos 25:22) that becomes the inspiration from one of my favorite sayings in the Gemara. וְנוֹעַדְתִּ֣י לְךָ֮ שָׁם֒ וְדִבַּרְתִּ֨י אִתְּךָ֜ מֵעַ֣ל הַכַּפֹּ֗רֶת מִבֵּין֙ שְׁנֵ֣י הַכְּרֻבִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֖ר עַל־אֲר֣וֹן הָעֵדֻ֑ת אֵ֣ת כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֧ר אֲצַוֶּ֛ה אוֹתְך …

Succah 3 Is a Marriage Partner Bashert According to the Rambam? Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 9th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph references a verse regarding which people are exempt from certain forms of military service including someone who just built a home or got married: Deuteronomy (20:5-7) וְדִבְּר֣וּ הַשֹּֽׁטְרִים֮ אֶל־הָעָ֣ם לֵאמֹר֒ מִֽי־הָאִ֞ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֨ר בָּנָ֤ה בַֽיִת־חָדָשׁ֙ וְלֹ֣א חֲנָכ֔וֹ יֵלֵ֖ךְ וְיָשֹׁ֣ב לְבֵית֑וֹ …

Holy Matrimony Psychology of the Daf Yomi Gittin 54

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 9th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the unique ritual on Yom Kippur when the Cohen Gadol enters the Holy of Holies. The verse states (Vayikra 16:17): וְכׇל־אָדָ֞ם לֹא־יִהְיֶ֣ה ׀ בְּאֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֗ד בְּבֹא֛וֹ לְכַפֵּ֥ר בַּקֹּ֖דֶשׁ עַד־צֵאת֑וֹ וְכִפֶּ֤ר בַּעֲדוֹ֙ וּבְעַ֣ד בֵּית֔וֹ וּבְעַ֖ד כׇּל־קְהַ֥ל יִשְׂר …

A Healthy And Whole Person Is In Touch With His Broken Parts Bava Basra 14 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 9th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud beis tells us about the contents of the Holy Ark:    “Both the second set of tablets and the broken pieces of the first set of tablets were placed in the Ark.”   Why keep the broken tablets in the Ark?  What prominence and lesson do they hold? Tiferes Shlomo (Sha’ar Hatefila) explains, based on a Zohar (III:283a), that the human heart has two chambers.  One chamber represents the aspec …

Yoma 61 Permanently Broken? Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 10th, 2021

Our gemara on Amud Beis mentions a concept of Tzarich, V’eyn Lo Takana.  That is sometimes a Mishna or Beraisa may note that a certain action is required, yet there is no way that it can be made up.  The obligation stands with no ability to fulfill it. There are times in life where we must face the consequences of deeds that cannot be undone.   It is understandable that a person can feel crushed because of what he or she …

Was Pharaoh a Lamdan? Yevamos 96 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 10th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis states that a halachic male minor who is nine years and one day old can perform the mitzvah of Yibum.  However, the status of this marriage is not complete until he consummates as a bar mitzvah, and if he dies before doing so, and now his wife falls to yibum to another brother, she must have chalitza and not yibum.  There is some discussion amongst the Rishonim about whether the marriage is valid according to Tor …

Taking Mitzvos “Light”ly Yevamos 95 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 10th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud aleph refers to Adultery as an Issur Kal, a relatively light prohibition, which Rashi (“makom”) explains is because the prohibition is not permanent, i.e. it lifts after divorce or death.  Presumably, the Gemara does not equate the severity of the transgression and the punishment (death), with the technical aspects of the mitzvah that make it considered less severe than other forms of forbidden relations that r …

In Families there are No Secrets Bava Metzia 103 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 10th, 2024

Our Mishna on Amud Beis textually analyzes a Mishna which discusses the financial rights shared by a person who rents or uses a vineyard as a tenant farmer. The Mishna states:   כְּשֵׁם שֶׁחוֹלְקִין בַּיַּיִן, כָּךְ חוֹלְקִין בַּזְּמוֹרוֹת וּבַקָּנִים. וּשְׁנֵיהֶם מְסַפְּקִין אֶת הַקָּנִים:   Just as the halakha is that the owner of the f …

Yoma 63 Ich Bin Ein Berliner Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 11th, 2021

Our Gemara on amud beis mentions an opinion of a Tannah, Chanan the Egyptian.  This unusual name actually belongs to two different Tannaim.  This one, our Gemara’s Chanan the Egyptian, has only one teaching mentioned in Shas, having to do with the blood of the goat, should the scapegoat die.   In any case, the name is of interest.  What Jew takes on the name, “the Egyptian?”  Was he a convert?  …

Yoma 62 Evil Twin Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 11th, 2021

Our Gemara and Mishna on Amud Aleph tells that the two goats, the one for the scape and the one for the inner sacrifice should be the same size, the same appearance and bought at the same time for the same price.  What can we find in this symbolism? Peri Tzaddik (Shushan Purim 2) offers an insightful explanation. The two goats, on the outside are indistinguishable, yet on the inside one of them represents absolute and abject sin, while the o …

Anger Management Gittin 26 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 11th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis, Rabbi Meir's opinion is discussed, stating that signatory witnesses on a bill of divorce are the ones who effectuate the divorce. According to Rabbi Meir, it would technically be permissible to write the essential identifying information of the bill of divorce in advance. However, this practice was not followed due to concerns about quarreling, referred to as "Kettata" in the Gemara. אָמְרִי לַהּ ר …

The Power of Precision in Prayer Bava Metzia 106 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 11th, 2024

Our Gemara on this Amud discusses a variety of misfortunes, and under what circumstances prayer is most or less effective. This occurs within the legal context of a tenant farmer and the landlord’s experience of an agricultural disaster, such as locust or scorching winds. Some of the factors include whether the tenant farmer kept to their agreement or not, and a post facto evaluation of what would have happened if he stuck with the agreemen …

Oily Intervention for Off the Derech Olives Bava Metzia 105 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 11th, 2024

  Our Gemara defines what the Mishna means by the term “Paritze Zeisim”, literally translated as, “brazen, disobedient olives.   מַאי פָּרִיצֵי זֵיתִים? אָמַר רַב הוּנָא: רִשְׁעֵי זֵיתִים. אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף: וּמַאי קְרָאָה – ״[וּבְנֵי] פָּרִיצֵי עַמְּךָ יִנַּשְּׂאוּ לְהַעֲמִיד חֲזוֹן וְ …

Spiritual Codependency Bava Metzia 104 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 11th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the oblative obligations that a man’s wife incurs, such as the sacrificial animals brought after childbirth, and that they are the husband’s financial obligation. Even though such sacrifices are subject to a substitution of a bird instead of a lamb if the person is unable to afford the latger animal (see Vayikra 12:6-8), we evaluate this based on the husband’s assets, and not hers.   The S …

Immortal Teachings Yevamos 97 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 12th, 2022

The Gemara on 96b and 97a deals with Rabbi Yochanan’s strong concern that his Torah be quoted and attributed to him.  The Gemara explains this as stemming from the following idea and verse: Rabbi Yoḥanan said in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai: With regard to any Torah scholar in whose name a matter of halakha is said in this world, his lips mouth the words in the grave, as though he is talking. Rabbi Yitzḥak ben Ze’eira …

Merit Badge Gittin 27 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 12th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis delves into the discussion of whether certain signs, known as simanim, are powerful enough identifiers to be relied upon in matters pertaining to Torah law. Rav Ashi states the following: If there is a hole in a specific location next to a particular letter in a bill of divorce, which serves as a distinct and prominent distinguishing mark for the owner. The Gemara, in Bava Metzia 28a, derives the concept of simanim (distin …

Yoma 64 It is Easy to Turn a Mitzvah into an Aveirah Psychology & the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 13th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a scenario where it is necessary to slaughter an animal to feed an ill person on Yom Kippur. In this scenario, the Gemara assumes there is no other meat available, and thus the mother goat of the scapegoat needs to be slaughtered for this purpose. This then raises the problem of the scapegoat being מחוסר זמן invalid due to a time dependent disqualification. In this case the prohibition of slaughtering th …

Stubborn People Might Be Prophets Yevamos 98 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 13th, 2022

  Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes Rabbi Akiva who observed that the prophet Yonah lost his prophecy as a result of his disobedience. He refused to deliver God’s message to the people of Nineveh. Our understanding of Yonah’s behavior is that he was afraid that the people of Nineveh would do Teshuva and this would reflect poorly on the Jewish people. The Midrash sees this as impudent in that he advocated for the honor of the &ldquo …

Dying to Live Gittin 28 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 13th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph engages in a discussion regarding statistical trends in aging and longevity, which hold Halakhic implications concerning the assumption of a husband's survival by the time a Get (divorce document) arrives through a messenger. The Gemara states: "And if you wish, say that this is not a conclusive refutation. In the case of the baraisa, since it is so that the man reached an exceptionally old age, one cannot apply the gener …

Yoma 65 Spirituality Must Align With Reality Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 14th, 2021

The Gemara on Amud Beis relates a machlokes about the year long window that is allowed for the seller to buy back his home in a walled city. Is the year a solar year, that is 365 plus days that it takes for the Sun to be in the exact same position? Or is it a Jewish Lunar year, that is, the same day and month the following year, leap month included? In truth, the Jewish calendar is based on a combination of lunar and solar inputs; specifically, t …

Quantum Torah Theory Yevamos 99 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 14th, 2022

  Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the famous principle: הַשְׁתָּא בְּהֶמְתָּן שֶׁל צַדִּיקִים אֵין הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מֵבִיא תַּקָּלָה עַל יָדָן, צַדִּיקִים עַצְמָן לֹא כׇּל שֶׁכֵּן Now consider: If, even through the animals of the righteous, the Holy One, Blessed be He, does not bring about a stumbling block, then throug …

Rewarding Discussion: The Paradox of Physical Existence and Spiritual Rewards Gittin 29 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 14th, 2023

  In our Gemara on Amud Aleph, we delve into a concept related to agency and delegation. Rava asserts that verbal instructions cannot be delegated to an agent, citing the Mishna as an example. The Mishna explains that in the case of a bill of divorce, the husband's verbal instructions cannot be passed on to another agent. Verbal directives, it seems, cannot be effectively transferred through agency. This principle is known as "מילי לא …

Children Versus Angels Bava Metzia 108 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 14th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses various rights and courtesies that are granted to the owner of an adjoining field, such as first choice in purchasing the property over other buyers if it is on the market. This law, known as Bar Mitzrah (owner of a bordering field) is conceptualized as an obligation to grant courtesy to the neighbors, because there is much more of a benefit for the neighbor to buy this field in particular.  The other buyer …

Niddah and Trauma Bava Metzia 107 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 14th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud aleph homiletically interprets the verse (Devarim 28:3), “Blessed are you when you enter.” as referring to a husband who returns home from a trip. The blessing will be that he will not find her in an uncertain halachic state, where she had a situation of questionable impurity, stopping them from a physical reunification.    Rashi here comments, “And of course the blessing applies that he wouldn&rsquo …

Yoma 67 Cosmic String Theory Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 15th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us an interesting discussion between Rabbi Eliezer and a “wise woman”: A wise woman asked Rabbi Eliezer: Since all bore equal responsibility for the incident of the Golden Calf, due to what factor were their deaths not equal? Some of the people were killed by the sword of Moses and the Levites, some were killed in a plague, and others were struck with an intestinal illness. He said to her: There is no wis …

Zealots and Instinct Yevamos 100 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 15th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis teaches us that a cohen must have precise knowledge of his lineage in order to serve in the Temple. This applies even if he is sure that he is a cohen. So long as he does not know his exact father, then he is invalid. The derivation comes from the verse: ״וְהָיְתָה לּוֹ וּלְזַרְעוֹ אַחֲרָיו״, בָּעֵינַן זַרְעוֹ מְיוּחָס אַחֲרָיו. “And it shall be to him …

Post-Nuptial Agreements and Conditional Divorce Gittin 30 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 15th, 2023

In our Gemara on Amud Aleph, a scenario is discussed where a man provides a Get (bill of divorce) with the condition that he appease his wife within thirty days. However, despite his efforts, she remains unappeased. Rav Yosef questions whether the man needed to give her an exorbitant gift in order to appease her, suggesting that fulfilling the condition does not require extreme measures. This viewpoint asserts that the divorce is valid because th …

Yoma 67 Basket Case Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 16th, 2021

The Gemara on Amud Aleph explains the practice of offering water and food to the appointee who walks the scapegoat to the cliff through the wilderness. At each and every booth people there say to him: Here is food; here is water, if you need it. It was taught: No man who escorted the goat ever needed this food and water. However, they would offer it to him anyway, because one who has bread in his basket is not similar to one who does not have bre …

Having Your Psychological Cake and Eating it Too Yevamos 101 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 16th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes a verse in Shir Hashirim (4:7): כֻּלָּ֤ךְ יָפָה֙ רַעְיָתִ֔י וּמ֖וּם אֵ֥ין בָּֽך      Every part of you is fair, my darling, There is no blemish in you. There is a Midrash (Shir Hashirim Rabbah 4:7) on this verse which elaborates on the idea of no blemishes. The verse is referring to the Jewish people at the time of the giving of the Torah: באותה …

Sadistic Divorce Gittin 32 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 16th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis considers a scenario where a husband appears to be canceling an agent who he sent to deliver a Get, but perhaps he is not really canceling, but only somehow sadistically teasing his soon-to-be ex-wife by pretending to renege on the agreement: גְּמָ׳ הִגִּיעוּ לָא קָתָנֵי אֶלָּא הִגִּיעַ וַאֲפִילּוּ מִמֵּילָא וְלָא אָמְרִינַן לְצַעוֹרַהּ ה …

Messianic Times and Climate Change Gittin 31 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 16th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the "four winds" and their role in the physical and spiritual climate.   אֲמַר לְהוּ: הָכִי אָמַר רַב חָנָן בַּר רָבָא, אָמַר רַב: אַרְבַּע רוּחוֹת מְנַשְּׁבוֹת בְּכׇל יוֹם, וְרוּחַ צְפוֹנִית מְנַשֶּׁבֶת עִם כּוּלָּן; שֶׁאִלְמָלֵא כֵּן, אֵין הָעוֹלָם מִתְקַ …

The Dangers of an Insensitive Husband Bava Metzia 109 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 16th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph records a spirited dispute between Rav Beivai bar Abaye and Rav Pappi. In the middle of the argument, Rav Pappi seems to have insulted Rav Beivai bar Abaye, implying that he makes faulty (short-lived) arguments because he stems from the House of Eli, who were cursed to die early.   The Shalah (Torah Sheb’al Peh, Kellal Peh Kadosh) tries to answer how such language could be appropriate. Regarding this particular …

Yoma 68 You Can't be in Two Places at Once Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 17th, 2021

Our Gemara and Mishna on Amud Beis (Yoma 68b) teaches us a lesson about self-determination: One who sees the High Priest reading the Torah does not see the bull and goat that are burned; and one who sees the bull and goat that are burned does not see the High Priest reading the Torah. The Mishna explains: And this is not due to the fact that one is not permitted to see both, but because there was a significant distance between them, and the perfo …

Stray Thoughts During Prayer Yevamos 103 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 17th, 2022

Our Gemara Amud Aleph to Beis makes an assertion: כׇּל טוֹבָתָן שֶׁל רְשָׁעִים רָעָה הִיא אֵצֶל צַדִּיקִים. שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״הִשָּׁמֶר לְךָ פֶּן תְּדַבֵּר עִם יַעֲקֹב מִטּוֹב עַד רָע״, בִּשְׁלָמָא רַע — לְחַיֵּי, אֶלָּא טוֹב אַמַּאי לָא? אֶלָּא שְׁמַע מִינַּהּ: טוֹבָת …

Even a Broken Home is Still a Home Yevamos 102 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 17th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis relates an encounter between Rabbi Gamliel and a heretic: A certain heretic said to Rabban Gamliel: You, the children of Israel, are a nation whose Master removed [ḥalatz] Himself from them, for God has left you in much the same way in which a yavam would perform chalitzah with his yevama, as it is written: “With their flocks and with their herds they shall go to seek the Lord, but they shall not find Him. He has r …

Do Away With the Middleman Bava Metzia 110 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 17th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses an interesting exemption to the rule that one must pay workers promptly (by sunset or sunrise of the day or evening that the work was completed, subject to certain conditions. See Ahavas Chessed, Laws of Payments of Wages, 1:9.): תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: הָאוֹמֵר לַחֲבֵירוֹ צֵא שְׂכוֹר לִי פּוֹעֲלִים – שְׁנֵיהֶן אֵין עוֹבְרִין מִשּׁו …

Yoma 70 Safe Landing Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 18th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes the Mishna which states: And the High Priest would make a feast and holiday for his loved ones and his friends when he emerged in peace from the Sanctuary. We must ask, what indeed was this feast and Yom Tov all about? Was he truly and simply happy to have emerged safely? If we were to accept that, why is it worthy enough for the Mishna to mention it? We know that there is a standing principle that one offers thank …

Yoma 69 Freud Where Prohibited Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 18th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis relates the famous story of the Men of the Great Assembly who prayed for the elimination of the desire for sinful sexual behavior. Upon capturing and disabling this agent, they noticed the following unwanted side effect: Instead of killing the evil inclination they imprisoned it for three days. At that time, people searched for a fresh egg throughout all of Eretz Yisrael and could not find one. (Since the inclination to re …

Poetic Justice Gittin 33 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 18th, 2023

Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses one of the most unusual executive powers accorded to the Rabbis of the Sanhedrin to enforce certain critical social norms and functioning. There are times where they are able to annul a marriage that would technically still be binding according to strict Torah law (though poskim debate the lomdus of the exact halakhic mechanism). In order to allow for the smooth functioning of society, certain overrides were put …

Is There Morality Without God? Bava Metzia 111 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 18th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses the wage payment obligation toward a Ger Toshav, which is often defined as a gentile that commits to follow the Seven Noachide Laws.    גֵּר תּוֹשָׁב יֵשׁ בּוֹ מִשּׁוּם ״בְּיוֹמוֹ תִּתֵּן שְׂכָרוֹ״, וְאֵין בּוֹ מִשּׁוּם ״לֹא תָלִין פְּעוּלַּת שָׂכִיר אִתְּךָ עַד בֹּקֶר״.   One who hi …

Psychology of the DAF Shabbos106

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 19th, 2020

Mareh Mekomos for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 106 DAF YOMI from a psychological perspective. Shabbos 106b 106b מַר רַבָּה בַּר רַב הוּנָא: הָכָא בְּצִפּוֹר דְּרוֹר עָסְקִינַן, לְפִי שֶׁאֵינָהּ מְקַבֶּלֶת מָרוּת. דְּתָנָא דְּבֵי רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל: לָמָּה נִקְרָא שְׁמָהּ ״ …

Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 105

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 19th, 2020

Mareh Mekomos for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 105 DAF YOMI from a psychological perspective. Shabbos 105b רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן בֶּן נוּרִי: הַמְקָרֵע בְּגָדָיו בַּחֲמָתוֹ, וְהַמְשַׁבֵּר כֵּלָיו בַּחֲמָתוֹ, וְהַמְפַזֵּר מְעוֹתָיו בַּחֲמָתוֹ, יְהֵא בְּעֵינֶיךָ כְּעוֹבֵד ע …

It Hurts to Speak Yevamos 104 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 19th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the halakhic status of a mute person: אָמַר רָבָא: אִלֵּם וְאִלֶּמֶת בְּנֵי דֵעָה נִינְהוּ, וּפוּמַּיְיהוּ הוּא דְּכָאֵיב לְהוּ. A mute man and woman do have intellectual capacity. Rather, it is their mouth that hurts them. Mute individuals have full intellectual capacity; they merely lack a means of expression.  This Gemara is poss …

Better than Before Gittin 34 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 19th, 2023

Our Gemara discusses an instance where a man seems to express a change of heart regarding divorce, but his language is unclear: גִּידּוּל בַּר רְעִילַאי שַׁדַּר לַהּ גִּיטָּא לִדְבֵיתְהוּ אֲזַל שְׁלִיחָא אַשְׁכְּחַהּ דַּהֲוָה יָתְבָה וְנָוְולָה אֲמַר לַהּ הֵא גִּיטִּיךְ אֲמַרָה לֵיהּ זִיל הַשְׁתָּא …

Is There Such a Thing as an Easy Mitzvah? Bava Metzia 112 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 19th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud beis makes a linguistic observation in regard to a teaching that referred to “great halachos”.  The Gemara  comments that if they are described as “great”, there must also be halachos that are considered minor, which it finds odd, since can any halacha be considered small?  Therefore, the Gemara rejects and revises the text of that teaching.    But we must ask ourselves, on a pra …

Getting Emotional about Our Feelings

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 1st, 2016

Getting Emotional About Our Feelings Chaya Feuerman, LCSW-R and Simcha Feuerman, LCSW-R Reprinted from the Jewish Press People filter reality all the time. What we think about what happens or does not happen to us affects how we feel. Our expectations and beliefs about the world, what we consider we are entitled to, all go into what makes us feel or not feel certain ways. This cognitive set sifts and filters whatever we allow to penetrate our con …

Yoma 52 Do Away With The Middleman Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 1st, 2021

The Gemara on Amud Aleph says: חֲבִיבִין יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁלֹּא הִצְרִיכָן הַכָּתוּב לְשָׁלִיחַ. The Jewish people are beloved by God, as the Torah did not require them to make use of an agent, e.g., an angel, to intercede on their behalf. Instead, God hears the nation’s prayers directly. Consequently, the High Priest, who represents the people on Yom Kippur, need not approach in a roundabo …

Love it or Levite Yevamos 86 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 1st, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us that Levites were punished in the times of Ezra because they did not join the group returning back to Israel, and instead stayed in Babylonia, as it stated in Ezra (8:15), “and I viewed the people, and the priests, and found there none of the sons of Levi.” The punishment was that they no longer would be eligible to receive the Maaser Rishon tithes. Tosafos here asks, the Gemara Kiddushin (69a) states …

The Ups and Downs of Exile Gittin 16 and 17 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 1st, 2023

Our Gemara on 16b and 17a tells us a story about how Rav Yehuda and Rabba visited Rabba bar bar Ḥana when he was unwell.   רַבָּה בַּר בַּר חָנָה חֲלַשׁ, עוּל לְגַבֵּיהּ רַב יְהוּדָה וְרַבָּה, לְשַׁיּוֹלֵי בֵּיהּ. בְּעוֹ מִינֵּיהּ: שְׁנַיִם שֶׁהֵבִיאוּ גֵּט מִמְּדִינַת הַיָּם, צְרִיכִין שֶׁיּ …

Repairing the Damage Yevamos 105 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 20th, 2022

  Are certain attitudes we develop so ingrained that we cannot easily change them? What steps can be taken to overcome our personal biases and blind spots? Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us about the curse and fate of the sons of Eli the Cohen: כִּדְרַב שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר אַמֵּי. דְּאָמַר רַב שְׁמוּאֵל בַּר אַמֵּי אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹנָתָן: מִנַּיִן לִגְזַר ד …

The Mechanisms of Rationalization Gittin 35 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 20th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the issue of trust in a widow who cares for her husband's children and whether she can be relied upon to take an oath about receiving payment from her husband's kesuba. There is a concern that she may rationalize her entitlement to funds beyond what she deserves and even resort to false swearing. Rashi explains that she genuinely believes she is not stealing but rather taking additional compensation that she fee …

Sitting is the New Smoking Bava Metzia 113 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 20th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud beis relates medical advice from the great Amora and physician Shmuel, and one of the practices that he considers to be in the top three of irreparable bodily harm is to “Eat bread and not walk four cubits afterward.” Rashi adds that this warning is in regard to going to sleep right after eating without walking a bit. There are some technical contradictions between Shmuel’s advice and the Rambam’s medica …

Shabbos 107 Psychology of the DAF

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 21st, 2020

Mareh Mekomos for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 107 DAF YOMI from a psychological perspective. Shabbos 107b Yirmayahu 13:23 הֲיַהֲפֹ֤ךְ כּוּשִׁי֙ עוֹר֔וֹ וְנָמֵ֖ר חֲבַרְבֻּרֹתָ֑יו גַּם־אַתֶּם֙ תּוּכְל֣וּ לְהֵיטִ֔יב לִמֻּדֵ֖י הָרֵֽעַ׃ Can the Cushite change his skin, Or the leopard his spots? Just as much can y …

Yoma 72 Living Torah Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 21st, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us about the structure of the Holy Ark: Bezalel made three nested arks: A middle one made of wood, whose height was nine handbreadths; an inner one made of gold, whose height was eight handbreadths; and an outer one of gold, whose height was ten handbreadths and a bit. We might ask, how is this paying honor to the Holy Ark to have wood in the center.  Does it not seem a bit cheap?  Would you buy your wife a …

Not all thatYoma 71 is Permissible is Advisable Psychology & the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 21st, 2021

The Gemara on Amud Beis tells us a story about a Cohen Godol, who upon successfully and safely emerging from the Holy of Holies, had an encounter with Shmaya and Avtalyon, the rabbinic leaders of the generation: The Sages taught in a baraisa: There was an incident involving one High Priest who exited the Holy Temple and everyone followed him. When they saw Shemaya and Avtalyon, the heads of the Sanhedrin, walking along, in deference to them they …

Selling Umbrellas in the Rain Yevamos 106 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 21st, 2022

What is the Torah ethical position on charging a fee for necessary services, and what about charging excessive fees during times of peak demand? Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us  “הֲרֵי שֶׁהָיָה בּוֹרֵחַ מִבֵּית הָאֲסוּרִין, וְהָיְתָה מַעְבּוֹרֶת לְפָנָיו, וַאֲמַר לֵיהּ: טוֹל דִּינָר וְהַעֲבִירֵנִי — אֵין לוֹ אֶלָּ …

Corporal Punishment and Jewish Pedagogy Gittin 36 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 21st, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph recounts an incident where a rebbe was removed from his position because he was "negligent." Rashi explains, "he beat them more than necessary." Rashi's choice of words indicates that the problem was not that he hit the children, per se, but that he beat them too much. Let us discuss some modern and ancient Jewish and halakhic perspectives regarding corporal punishment of children. While parents have been using corporal p …

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is Bava Metzia 115 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 21st, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph quotes a series of verses in Mishle (6:1-3) that warn of the dangers of becoming a co-signer on a loan indiscriminately:   בְּ֭נִי אִם־עָרַ֣בְתָּ לְרֵעֶ֑ךָ תָּקַ֖עְתָּ לַזָּ֣ר כַּפֶּֽיךָ׃    My son, if you have become a co-signer for your fellow, Given your hand for another,    נוֹקַ֥שְׁתָּ בְאִמְרֵי־פִ֑יךָ נִ …

Spiritual Backlash Bava Metzia 114 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 21st, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph and beis discusses an encounter between Rabbah bar Avuha and Elijah the prophet:   אַשְׁכְּחֵיהּ רַבָּה בַּר אֲבוּהּ לְאֵלִיָּהוּ דְּקָאֵי בְּבֵית הַקְּבָרוֹת שֶׁל גּוֹיִם, אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מַהוּ שֶׁיְּסַדְּרוּ בְּבַעַל חוֹב? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: גָּמַר ״מִיכָה״ ״מִיכָה״ מֵעֲ …

Shabbos 108 Psychology of the DAF

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 22nd, 2020

Mareh Mekomos for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 108 DAF YOMI from a psychological perspective. Shabbos 108a ויקרא א:י״ז  וְשִׁסַּ֨ע אֹת֣וֹ בִכְנָפָיו֮ לֹ֣א יַבְדִּיל֒ וְהִקְטִ֨יר אֹת֤וֹ הַכֹּהֵן֙ הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חָה עַל־הָעֵצִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר עַל־הָאֵ֑שׁ עֹלָ֣ה ה֗וּא אִשֵּׁ֛ה …

Yoma 73 Halakhic Sex Education Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 22nd, 2021

The Mishna on Amud Beis states: אָסוּר בַּאֲכִילָה וּבִשְׁתִיָּה וּבִרְחִיצָה וּבְסִיכָה וּבִנְעִילַת הַסַּנְדָּל, וּבְתַשְׁמִישׁ הַמִּטָּה. וְהַמֶּלֶךְ וְהַכַּלָּה יִרְחֲצוּ אֶת פְּנֵיהֶם, וְהַחַיָּה תִּנְעוֹל אֶת הַסַּנְדָּל, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶ …

Gender Differences in Desire for Marriage Yevamos 107 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 22nd, 2022

  Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the various pros and cons that might run through the mind of a person contemplating a marriage that can be annulled through the process known as miyun.  Without us getting into the complex halakhic details, the Gemara discusses why a person might risk entering a marriage that could later be dissolved. One such rationale is: תַּרְוַיְיהוּ נִיחָא לְהוּ, כְּדֵי דְּלִי …

Giving as a Form of Receiving Gittin 37 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 22nd, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph notes a textual anomaly in the verse that describes the Mitzvah for the creditor to return the collateral to the borrower when he needs to use it for basic living. The verse states (Devarim 24:14): הָשֵׁב֩ תָּשִׁ֨יב ל֤וֹ אֶֽת־הַעֲבוֹט֙ כְּב֣וֹא הַשֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ וְשָׁכַ֥ב בְּשַׂלְמָת֖וֹ וּבֵֽרְכֶ֑ךָּ וּלְךָ֙ תִּהְיֶ֣ה צְד …

Anger Problem? Anger Solution!

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 23rd, 2019

Marc considers himself an overall decent guy, he cares for his wife and children and is a hard worker.  Once in a while, when people really push his buttons he loses his temper -- he can say abusive statements such as name-calling and also physically punches the wall.  His wife says it is unbearable and frightening to her and the kids and he needs help. It doesn’t seem like such a big deal to him, but he must concede that his fath …

Yoma 74 Does God Send Us Tests? Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 23rd, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis references the verses about the Manna, and how the Jews were tested by God (Deuteronomy 8:2-3)  זָכַרְתָּ֣ אֶת־כׇּל־הַדֶּ֗רֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֨ר הוֹלִֽיכְךָ֜ יְהֹוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ זֶ֛ה אַרְבָּעִ֥ים שָׁנָ֖ה בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר לְמַ֨עַן עַנֹּֽתְךָ֜ לְנַסֹּֽתְךָ֗ לָדַ֜עַת אֶת־אֲשֶׁ֧ר בּ …

Am I Supposed to be a Mind Reader? Yevamos 108 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 23rd, 2022

One of the modern marriage and therapy tropes is that no one can be a mind-reader, and people must take responsibility to express and communicate their needs.  While this is common sense, it can be taken as diminishing the value of intuitive understanding of one’s spouse.  I emphatically state to the contrary! Understanding of non-verbal cues and bids is absolutely an important relationship asset. Our Gemara on Amud Beis speaks of …

Perspectives and Humility: Unraveling Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi's Expression Gittin 39 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 23rd, 2023

In our Gemara on Amud Beis, there is a phrase quoted that is used almost exclusively by Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi, the Compiler of the Mishna. Rabbi Rosner's recorded Daf Yomi Shiur on this daf from the previous cycle brought attention to this unique usage (אומר אני). Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi introduces his halakhic argument with the phrase "I say." Unlike other Tannaim and Amoraim, he uniquely employs this expression (see Meleches Shlomo, Mishna Ara …

The Practical and Human Aspects of War Gittin 38 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 23rd, 2023

The Gemara discusses the concept of the acquisition of slaves via the spoils of war. Some of the commentaries understand it as an advanced form of yiyush, that is, the owners, seeing the overwhelming enemy give up and relinquish their hopes of reacquiring the item. Therefore, de facto, the conquerors take possession (see Rashi Bechazaka). From other Rishonim (see Tosafos 38a, “Aval,” and Rashba Kiddushin 14a) it seems that warfare its …

The Doctrine of the Descent of the Tzaddik Bava Metzia 116 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 23rd, 2024

  Our Mishna on Amud Beis describes the halachic status of a renter who lives in the attic and what are his rights should it become uninhabitable, such as a caved-in floor:   מַתְנִי׳ הַבַּיִת וְהָעֲלִיָּיה. נִפְחֲתָה הָעֲלִיָּיה, וְאֵין בַּעַל הַבַּיִת רוֹצֶה לְתַקֵּן – הֲרֵי בַּעַל הָעֲלִיָּיה יוֹרֵד וְדָר לְמַ …

I Don’t Want to Ever See You Again...Never! Psychology of the Daf 75

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 24th, 2021

The Gemara on Amud Aleph stated a well known psychoanalytic principle, which is a key factor in psychotherapeutic treatment, based on a verse in Mishley: ⁦The Gemara explains another verse in Proverbs: “If there is worry in a man’s heart, let him quash it [yashḥena]” (Proverbs 12:25). Rabbi Ami and Rabbi Asi dispute the verse’s meaning. The simple peshat as is evidenced from the context of the verse which you can look …

Compatibility Factors in Marriage Yevamos 110 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 24th, 2022

Our gemara on amud beis discusses the idea that certain people may have preference in marriage for someone similar to them, such as a deaf person may prefer to marry a deaf person. If compatibility and similarity in interests are important in marriage, to what extent and what domains can be identified?  Doing this can help couples work on enhancing them together, and also help people who are dating identify these areas as priorities.  R …

Peace at Any Price Yevamos 109 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 24th, 2022

Arguments and quarrels are ubiquitous in human nature, but also destructive and corrosive.  Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us: A person should always cling to three things and distance himself from three things. He should cling to three things: To ḥalitza rather than levirate marriage, to bringing about peace, and to the nullification of vows. And he should distance himself from three things: From refusal (miyun performed to nullify certai …

Trickle Down Theory Bava Metzia 117 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 24th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses liabilities between the upper floor residents and the lower floor residents of a home:   הָנְהוּ בֵּי תְרֵי דַּהֲווֹ דָּיְירִי, חַד עִילַּאי וְחַד תַּתַּאי. אִיפְּחִית מַעֲזִיבָה. כִּי מָשֵׁי מַיָּא, עִילַּאי אָזְלִי וּמַזְּקִי לְתַתַּאי. מִי מְתַקֵּן? רַבִּי חִי …

Passive Aggressiveness Shabbos 111

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 25th, 2020

Mareh Mekomos for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 111 DAF YOMI from a psychological perspective. Mareh Mekomos 111 משלי י:כו כַּחֹ֤מֶץ ׀ לַשִּׁנַּ֗יִם וְכֶעָשָׁ֥ן לָעֵינָ֑יִם כֵּ֥ן הֶ֝עָצֵ֗ל לְשֹׁלְחָֽיו׃ Like vinegar to the teeth, Like smoke to the eyes, Is a lazy man to those who send him on a mission Alshich ibid דאית ביה …

Birth Control After Peru Urvu DAF YOMI Shabbos 110

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 25th, 2020

Mareh Mekomos for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 110 DAF YOMI from a psychological perspective. Mareh Mekomos 110b יַרְקוֹנָא תְּרֵין בְּשִׁיכְרָא, וּמִיעֲקַר. וּמִי שְׁרֵי? וְהָתַנְיָא, מִנַּיִין לַסֵּירוּס בָּאָדָם שֶׁהוּא אָסוּר — תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״וּבְאַרְצְכֶם לֹא ת …

Mind Body Connection Shabbos DAF YOMI 109

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 25th, 2020

Mareh Mekomos for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 109 DAF YOMI from a psychological perspective. Mareh Mekomos 109a וְאָמַר מָר עוּקְבָא: מִי שֶׁנִּגְּפָה יָדוֹ אוֹ רַגְלוֹ, צוֹמְתָהּ בְּיַיִן וְאֵינוֹ חוֹשֵׁשׁ. אִיבַּעְיָא לְהוּ: חַלָּא מַאי? אָמַר רַב הִלֵּל לְרַב אָשֵׁי: כִּ …

Yoma 77 Stick Up for your Spouse and Family Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 25th, 2021

The Gemara on Amud Aleph relates a story about how the Angel Gabriel was unique in his advocating on behalf of the Jewish people. Because of this, Gabriel was restored to a former position of honor. Mesilas Yeshanim (19) speaks about this:  ⁦Our sages of blessed memory already expounded on the verse: "I have come because of your words" (Daniel 10:12) - "that Gavriel was not allowed to re-enter behind the heavenly curtain until he had plead …

Yoma 76 Common Sense Birth Control Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 25th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph records an interesting hypothetical vignette imagined about a typical family man during the 40 years that the Jews wandered in the wilderness: So too, in the case of the Jewish people, someone who had four or five children would be worried and say: Perhaps the manna will not fall tomorrow and we will all die of starvation. Consequently, everyone directed their hearts to their Father in heaven every day. The manna that fel …

Intention and Action: Understanding the Legal and Divine Perspectives Gittin 40 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 25th, 2023

In our Gemara on Amud Beis, we explore the intentions and legal implications of phrases such as "I will give" in contracts. We examine whether the use of future tense expresses intention or signifies full acquisition and relinquishment. This discussion provides important insights into a perplexing verse and the dialogue between God and Moses in Shemos (6:1-2). Yismach Moshe (Vaera 1) offers this legal distinction to understand the dialogue betwee …

Love at First Sight Bava Metzia 118 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 25th, 2024

Love at First Sight   Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the possibility that even viewing certain ownerless items, with the intent to possess them, effects a binding acquisition.   Rav Shlomo Kluger (Chachmas Torah, Vayetze) asks, The sages teach, one who is without a woman, is without Torah (Yevamos 62b). If so, how could Yaakov maintain that he was observant of all the mitzvos while he was at Lavan’s house (see Rashi Bereishis …

Can You Force Someone to Do You a Favor? Yevamos 111 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 26th, 2022

What are the bounds and limits for helping another person out, and to what extent is there a legal halachic obligation?  Our Gemara on amud beis describes a situation where a man is not obligated personally to perform chalitzah, as according to his account he is not bound by yibum and she was not able to furnish objective proof as to her status.  However, the woman, according to her subjective account, is bound by her own admission.&nbs …

Sexuality Beyond Procreation Gittin 41 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 26th, 2023

Our Mishna, spanning from Amud Aleph to Amud Beis, delves into the quandary faced by an individual who is half-slave and half-freeman due to being emancipated by only one of their two owners. Bais Shammai argues before Beis Hillel that the other owner must be compelled to free the individual, as his current status prevents him from marrying a regular free Jewish woman or a Canaanite servant. This predicament, impeding the individual from leading …

A Whole and One Bava Metzia 119 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 26th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph (and the previous daf) discusses how ownership is determined for produce that grows on the side of a ledge, where the top is a garden owned by one person, and the bottom is owned by another. What is the status of those vegetables that grow on the vertical surface between them?   מַתְנִי׳ שְׁתֵּי גַּנּוֹת זוֹ עַל גַּב זוֹ, וְהַיָּרָק בֵּינְתַיִם. רַבִּי מ …

Yoma 80 Does the Torah Change? Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 27th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph states: Rabbi Elazar said: One who unwittingly eats forbidden fat even today must write down the exact measure that he ate, lest another court come in the future and increase the measure. The Gemara appears to be saying that the Rabbis of a future Sanhedrin would have the ability to change the halakha, based on how they will interpret matters. Indeed, Rashi says as much explicitly: …Perhaps the Temple will be rebui …

Yoma 78 Let Children be Children Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 27th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us some of the wisdom that Abaye’s mother taught him about child development: ⁦Abaye said: My mother told me: A child’s growth requires hot water and oil for smearing. When he grows a little, he must eat egg with kutaḥa, a pickled dip made with milk. When he grows a little more, he must have vessels to break, since he will enjoy breaking them. This is like Rabba who bought cracked ceramic vessels for …

Marriage Made in Heaven but Repaired Down to Earth Yevamos 112 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 27th, 2022

Does the Talmud believe in romance? Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses a woman who has a substantial complaint regarding her husband’s fitness, which in and of itself is subject to several different interpretations: A woman who says: Heaven is between me and you, the court deals with the matter by way of a request. This complaint, “Heaven is between me and you”, has the appearance of a euphemism, as otherwise why would she not e …

What Kind of Suffering Merits Forgiveness? Gittin 42 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 27th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis delves into the sources and specific laws concerning the automatic release of a Canaanite slave whose master causes him to lose a limb. While the scripture mentions a tooth or eye, the halakhic interpretation extends it to any limb (See Shemos 21:27). Sefer Daf Al Daf presents an insightful derush and analysis of Aggadah by Rav Tzvi Pesach Frank (Vaera 6:5). When Moshe expresses concern over the continued suffering of the …

Fiddler on the Wall Bava Basra 2 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 27th, 2024

  Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the rights and responsibilities of partners who share a yard, and intend to construct a partition between them:   הַשּׁוּתָּפִין שֶׁרָצוּ לַעֲשׂוֹת מְחִיצָה בְּחָצֵר – בּוֹנִין אֶת הַכּוֹתֶל בְּאֶמְצַע. מָקוֹם שֶׁנָּהֲגוּ לִבְנוֹת גְּוִיל, גָּזִית, כְּפִיסִין, לְבֵי …

Resurrection of the Dead Shabbos 114 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 28th, 2020

Mareh Mekomos for Video Shiur click here to listen: for Video Shiur click here to listen:  Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 114   DAF YOMI from a psychological perspective. Mareh Mekomos 114a Rabbi Yannai say to his sons: My sons, do not bury me in white garments nor in black garments. Not in white, lest I not be acquitted in judgment, and I will be among the wicked like a groom among mourners. And not in black, lest I be acquitted in …

Shabbos Recovery Shabbos 113

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 28th, 2020

Mareh Mekomos for Video Shiur click here to listen: for Video Shiur click here to listen:  Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 113 DAF YOMI from a psychological perspective. Mareh Mekomos    קרי עליה לית דין בר אינש איכא דאמרי כגון דין בר אינש אמר רבי זירא אמר רבא בר זימונא אם ראשונים בני מלאכים אנו בני אנשים ואם ראשונים בני א …

Yeridas Hadoros DeGeneration Shabbos 112

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 28th, 2020

Mareh Mekomos for Video Shiur click here to listen: for Video Shiur click here to listen:  Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 112 DAF YOMI from a psychological perspective. Mareh Mekomos    קרי עליה לית דין בר אינש איכא דאמרי כגון דין בר אינש אמר רבי זירא אמר רבא בר זימונא אם ראשונים בני מלאכים אנו בני אנשים ואם ראשונים בני א …

Yoma 79 Don’t Get HANGRY Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 28th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph notes that Rabban Gamliel and Rabbi Yochanan Ben Zakkai conducted themselves with extra legal stringency in not eating anything out of the Succah. Yet notably the Gemara reports that Rav Zaddok was lenient in this as well as a variety of other matters related to eating. There are a number of interesting, and possibly related facts: These Tannaim were from the generation of the Churban, of which it is said in Bava Metzia …

Sexual Torture Yevamos 113 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 28th, 2022

  As we saw on Psychology of the Daf 107, the Talmud believes there are gender differences in attitudes and wishes to get married, in that women want to marry more than men. We also saw that modern social research shows a similar trend, in that women want to marry at a younger age than men do, and it seems to be universal, the world over. Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us: יוֹתֵר מִשֶּׁהָאִישׁ רוֹצֶה לִישָּׂא …

In Order to Succeed, Fail Gittin 43 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 28th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph offers a profound insight into human nature and the necessary role of failure: "אֵין אָדָם עוֹמֵד עַל דִּבְרֵי תוֹרָה אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן נִכְשָׁל בָּהֶן" "A person does not understand statements of Torah unless he stumbles in them." Failure is often feared due to the innate instinct of self-recrimination triggered by falling short. While this instinct serves a purpos …

Getting Boxed into Marriage Bava Basra 4 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 28th, 2024

Our Gemaraq on amud aleph discusses financial responsibilities when someone with a bordering property builds a fence that will benefit the other person as well, since the back of the fence will also protect the other property:   הַמַּקִּיף אֶת חֲבֵירוֹ מִשָּׁלֹשׁ רוּחוֹתָיו, וְגָדַר אֶת הָרִאשׁוֹנָה וְאֶת הַשְּׁנִיָּה וְאֶת הַשְּׁלִישִׁית &ndas …

Fun Leydike Feser Iz Der Lyarem Greser Bava Basra 3 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 28th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud aleph records a declaration about the second Temple, as compared to the Temple, based on a verse in Chaggai (2:9) :   גָּד֣וֹל יִֽהְיֶ֡ה כְּבוֹד֩ הַבַּ֨יִת הַזֶּ֤ה הָאַֽחֲרוֹן֙ מִן־הָ֣רִאשׁ֔וֹן אָמַ֖ר ה׳   The glory of this latter House shall be greater than that of the former one, said GOD of Hosts   The Chasam Sofer (Derashos page 328) …

Soul Torah Shabbos 115

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 29th, 2020

Mareh Mekomos for Video Shiur click here to listen: for Video Shiur click here to listen:  Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 115   DAF YOMI from a psychological perspective.   115 Mishna כָּל כִּתְבֵי הַקֹּדֶשׁ מַצִּילִין אוֹתָן מִפְּנֵי הַדְּלֵקָה, בֵּין שֶׁקּוֹרִין בָּהֶן וּבֵין שֶׁאֵין קוֹרִין בָּהֶן….וּמִפְּנֵ …

Rabbi Meir and the Hooligans Yevamos 114 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 29th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph refers to the verse in Vayikra (21:1) that discusses the Priestly code of conduct, but uses an unusually verbose phrase: “Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them: None shall become impure for the dead souls among his people” (Leviticus 21:1). What does “speak to them”, and then “say to them” come to include? להזהיר גדולים על הקטנים That the adults ar …

Portable Homeland of the Jewish People Gittin 44 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 29th, 2023

The Mishna on 43b teaches us that a Jewish master who sells his slave to live outside of Israel is fined by the Rabbis and compelled to set him free. This indicates the Rabbis' recognition of the significant disruption to the spiritual life of the slave when forced to live outside of Israel. It is noteworthy that even the spiritual well-being of a slave is held in high regard. Additionally, the Mishna states that if a Jewish master sells his slav …

Yoma 53 Balanced Prayer & Balanced Personality Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 2nd, 2021

The Gemara on Amud Beis tells us : The High Priest recites a brief prayer in the outer chamber. The Gemara asks: What does he pray? Rava bar Rav Adda and Ravin bar Rav Adda both said in the name of Rav that this was his prayer: May it be your will, Lord our God, that this year shall be rainy and hot. The Gemara immediately expresses surprise at this request: Is heat a good matter? Why should he request that the year be hot? Rather, say and emend …

A Searching and Fearless Moral Inventory Yevamos 87 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 2nd, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes a verse in Vayikra 4:28 which uses an ambiguous phrase regarding a sin-offering, “Or, if his sin be known to him.”  The phrase seems to emphasize knowing about the sin, but it is redundant, as how would he bring a sacrifice if he did not know about his sin?  From there the Gemara derives a number of rules relating to what kind of information obligates a sacrifice, and what does not.  If he …

Umbrella Policy Gittin 18 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 2nd, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph references the metaphysical idea that one does not do actions (or even say things) that hasten painful or disturbing events. Thus the Gemara later on 75b says if one is giving a Get on a stipulation that he dies (so as to protect his wife from falling to Yibum), the stipulations should reference “if I live” first, and then mention the other conditional clause about what happens should he die. This is so as not …

The Walking Dead Bava Metzia 95 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 2nd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph uses the following argument to explain the logical equivalence between the borrower’s liability for injury and liability for death. If the Torah teaches that the borrower is liable for the death of the animal, we do not need an additional verse to teach us that he is also liable for injury:   What difference does it make to me if it is entirely killed, and what difference does it make to me if it is partially k …

The "Principle-of-the-Thing" Excuse Shabbos 116

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 30th, 2020

Mareh Mekomos 116a for Video Shiur click here to listen:  Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 116 אָמַר רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל, קַל וָחוֹמֶר: וּמָה לַעֲשׂוֹת שָׁלוֹם בֵּין אִישׁ לְאִשְׁתּוֹ אָמְרָה תּוֹרָה: שְׁמִי שֶׁנִּכְתַּב בִּקְדוּשָּׁה יִמָּחֶה עַל הַמַּיִם, הַלָּלוּ שֶׁמְּטִילִין קִנְ …

Yoma 81 Healthy Body, Healthy Soul Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 30th, 2021

Gemara on Amud Beis tells us from a derasha, that one who eats on the day before Yom Kippur is given credit as if he fasted for two days, instead of one.  Rashi explains that by eating with the intent to prepare yourself to properly fast the next day, your eating today counts like fasting. From here we see a wonderful Torah principle, that the intention of our good actions can bring merit even in mundane tasks. Thus, eating on erev Yom Kippu …

Facts Do Not Care About Feelings, But We Do Yevamos 115 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 30th, 2022

Ben Shapiro is famous for saying, “Facts Don’t Care About Your Feelings”.  While he may be right, there is more to this than meets the eye. Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses halachos about when we assume a captive to have been certainly killed or possibly just held hostage. One line of reasoning considered is that women may be different than men in this regard. A woman might be able to survive in captivity longer than a ma …

Pathological Debt Gittin 46 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 30th, 2023

In our Gemara on Amud Beis, we encounter a compelling narrative involving a family trapped in a cycle of accumulating debts due to their habitual and negligent financial management. The dire consequences of their actions resulted in their captivity at the hands of gentile creditors. Although redeeming captives is generally considered a supreme mitzvah, the sages, in this case, declined to intervene due to their perception of the family as neglige …

Mutually Reinforcing Misery Gittin 45 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 30th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses who should be penalized in a situation where an ethically improper transaction is performed, such as when a Canaanite slave is sold outside of the land of Israel (as we saw in Psychology of the Daf, Gittin 44). Specifically, should the buyer be penalized or the seller? The Gemara uses a clever metaphor: Who steals the food? The mouse or the hole? This metaphor speaks to the psychological and behavioral pattern o …

The Imagined Achievement Becomes a Substitute for Actual Achievement Bava Basra 5 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 30th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses what legal assumptions can be made when a borrower claims to have paid back a loan, but the lender refuses.    גְּמָ׳ אָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ: הַקּוֹבֵעַ זְמַן לַחֲבֵירוֹ, וְאָמַר לוֹ: ״פְּרַעְתִּיךָ בְּתוֹךְ זְמַנִּי״ – אֵינוֹ נֶאֱמָן; וּלְוַאי שֶׁיִּפְרַע בִּזְמַנּוֹ. …

Yoma 54 Sex, Savages and Cellphones Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 3rd, 2021

The Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us a fascinating practice from the Temple era: ⁦How is this so? The staves of the Aron protruded and stuck out against the curtain toward the outside, and appeared like the two breasts of a woman pushing against her clothes. As it is stated: “My beloved is to me like a bundle of myrrh, that lies between my breasts” (Song of Songs 1:13). For this reason the Ark of the Covenant, where the Divine Presence …

Direct Consequences Yevamos 90 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 3rd, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the power of the prophet to temporarily supersede a Torah law. That is, even though no prophet after Moshe can change the Torah on a permanent basis, for a particular need of the moment and through prophetic sanction, a law can be suspended or enacted. A lesser known idea related to this is a principle from the Sefer Haikkarim (III:18).  This idea only applies to Torah laws from Moshe, however the portion of …

All Relationships Are Permanent Yevamos 89 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 3rd, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the principle behind the financial obligation of the Kesubah, שלא תהא קלא בעיניו להוציאה that divorcing a wife should not be a light matter. Since upon divorce, the husband will have to pay out a large sum, he naturally will think twice about divorce. The Rashbah in Bava Kama (89a) elaborates on this and explains that should a woman feel that the marriage can be dismissed lightly, her gener …

Greatness is Earned, not Given Yevamos 88 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 3rd, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis brings the verse that directs us to treat cohanim with extra honor, and in fact directs the Beis Din to enforce the priestly marriage restrictions. The Mei HaShiloach Parashas Emor discusses the nature of the distinction of the Cohanim, and even the nature of the distinction of Jews in general: His first point is based on the Gemara’s interpretation (Chulin 57a) of a verse in Zecharia (10:4). Though Cohanim are obvio …

Halachic Gray Areas Bava Metzia 96 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 3rd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a situation where an object or animal is borrowed for an unconventional purpose that does not provide a tangible financial benefit. The question being, if there is no real monetary value received perhaps it is insufficient to incur the financial liabilities that are normally part of the borrowers contract:   שְׁאָלָהּ לֵירָאוֹת בָּהּ מַהוּ מָמוֹנָא בָּעֵינַן וְ …

Jewish Traditional Sources for Female Sexual Empowerment

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 4th, 2018

In a discussion with colleagues it was noted that there was not enough focus in the religious community on the normal developmental and sexual needs of women.  One might draw a conclusion that there was no legitimate focus on female sexual empowerment within traditional Jewish thought.  While the standards of modesty, as well as concepts of female roles were quite different in the times of the Talmud, it is important to note that there …

Yoma 56 Rebound Relationship with God Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 4th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes a verse and idea about God’s presence even during our most impure states: ״הַשּׁוֹכֵן אִתָּם בְּתוֹךְ טוּמְאֹתָם״, אֲפִילּוּ בִּשְׁעַת שֶׁהֵן טְמֵאִים — שְׁכִינָה עִמָּהֶם. “That dwells with them in the midst of their impurity, (VaYikra 16:16)” this teaches that even when the Jewish people are impure, the Div …

Yoma 55 The Thin Red Line Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 4th, 2021

  Our Gemara discusses the sprinkling of the blood in front of the cover of the aron and quotes a verse רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר, אָמַר קְרָא: ״וְלִפְנֵי הַכַּפּוֹרֶת יַזֶּה״,  Rabbi Yoḥanan said that the reason is that the verse states: “And he shall sprinkle it with his finger upon the Ark cover, and before the Ark cover he shall sprinkle” (Leviticus 16:14). The Gema …

Reading Between the Lines Gittin 19 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 4th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph refers to writing with gall nut ink, on top of parchment treated with gall nut ink. Since they are of the same substance and the writing does not leave a visible impression, the writing is not considered valid. The Shalah (Shenei Luchos HaBers Shaar HaOsiyos Emes Ve'Emunah.6) understands this in a metaphysical way as well. The Yigdal poetic version of the Rambam’s 13 Principles of Faith describes the third principle …

I Am Not a Crook Bava Metzia 97 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 4th, 2024

I Am Not a Crook   Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a novel application of Ba’alav Imo. Ba’alav Imo is a rule that exempts a watchman from paying for the damage if the owner of the item is present with the bailee or in his employ when he is safeguarding the item (Shemos 22:13). Rava’s students cleverly asserted that since he is their teacher and really work for them, if any of them were to borrow an item of his, it would …

Hiddur Mitzvah as a Requirement Gittin 20 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 5th, 2023

In our Gemara on Amud Aleph, we learn about a specific mistake that can occur when writing the Tetragrammaton in a Sefer Torah and the circumstances under which it can be corrected: The baraisa teaches: If a scribe writing a Torah scroll reaches a point where he needs to write the name of God, spelled yod, heh, vav, heh, but instead intends to write "Yehuda," spelled yod, heh, vav, dalet, heh, and mistakenly omits the dalet, inadvertently writing …

The Psychology of the Oral Torah Bava Metzia 98 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 5th, 2024

Our Gemara on this daf discusses a fundamental dispute regarding the oath required of the watchman. In the verses which we soon shall see, a watchman is Biblically mandated to swear and affirm his claim of not having neglected his duties. This is known as the Watchman’s Oath. Another Biblically mandated oath that is derived from these verses is the Oath of Partial Admission, which is triggered when a defendant partially admits that true, he …

Yoma 57 Depression is the Mother of Invention Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 6th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph records a jibe from Rav Yirmiya regarding the Babylonian scholars: “Foolish Babylonians! Since you live in a dark climate, you offer teachings which are unclear and dim.” There is an intuitive truth to the idea that climate and environment affect mood and function. There is a form of depression, known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) which seems to be brought on in the dark winter months as a result of los …

Is the Rabbinate Inherited? Yevamos 91 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 6th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes a Mishna in Gittin (8:5) If he wrote the date on the bill of divorce using a calendrical system that counts years in the name of a kingdom that is not legitimate…in all these case, the bill of divorce is not valid.  According to Rashi on our daf, the definition of “a kingdom that is not legitimate” is the Roman government. Rashi references a Gemara in Avoda Zara (10a) that denigrates the legi …

Divorce Narrative Gittin 21 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 6th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis explains that unlike the bond of marriage, which can be established through various means as outlined in the first Mishna of Kiddushin, divorce can only be achieved through a written bill. This is derived from the verse that refers to it as a "scroll of severance" (ספר כריתות). Interestingly, the word "sefer" (scroll) is related to the word "story," suggesting that there is a narrative within the Get (divorce docu …

God’s Silence in the Face of Evil Bava Metzia 99 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 6th, 2024

99   God’s Silence in the Face of Evil   Our Gemara on Amud Beis describes a legal distinction in the liability of a squatter on land owned by the Sacred Treasury and privately owned land. We have a rule that a squatter does not incur financial liability after the fact, if the owner had not known prior to his squatting. The argument is, no harm done, you didn’t lose any money and we never agreed to an arrangement. It’s …

Yoma 58 Vice Versa, and Verses About Vice Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 7th, 2021

Our Gemara on amud Beis discusses the principle of אין מעבירין על מצות we do not pass over a mitzvah.  This matter has many halackhic implications as how one must behave if he enters into contact with one mitzvah opportunity, despite wanting to stop and do another, even greater mitzvah.  An excellent summary of the halachos can be found in Chayye Odom 68.  However, today I would like to discuss an opposite concept, …

Pearls of Wisdom Yevamos 92 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 7th, 2022

Our Gemara on amud beis quotes an interesting idiom: Rabbi Yannai said to Rabbi Yoḥanan: Had I not lifted the earthenware shard for you, would you have discovered the pearl [marganita] beneath it? Rabbi Yannai was referring to the fact that his teaching inspired Rabbi Yochanan to notice a Mishna that was “hiding in plain sight” which really made the same point as his teaching. Tosafos (Bava Metzia 17b, “Iy Lav”) explains …

Parental Guidance Suggested Gittin 22 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 7th, 2023

On this Daf, there are two seemingly unrelated passages that can be metaphorically related to prayer and spirituality. Let's examine each teaching both in its literal halakhic sense and its allegorical meaning. In our Gemara on Amud Aleph, there is a discussion about a pot whose roots extend through a hole into the land of Israel, while all the branches are outside the land. The question arises: What is the status of the fruits, and are they obli …

Eviction Notice Bava Metzia 101 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 7th, 2024

  Our Gemara on Amud Beis relates a story of a woman who was duped and then how her vigilante justice was vindicated by the rabbis:   הָהוּא גַּבְרָא דִּזְבַן אַרְבָּא דְחַמְרָא. לָא אַשְׁכַּח דּוּכְתָּא לְאוֹתוֹבֵיהּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ לְהַהִיא אִיתְּתָא: אִית לָךְ דּוּכְתָּא לְאוֹגוֹרַי? אֲמַרָה לֵיהּ …

Adopted Beliefs Bava Metzia 100 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 7th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the legal entitlements to certain properties and materials that unwittingly became shared by two potential beneficiaries and investors:   שָׁטַף נָהָר זֵיתָיו וּנְתָנָם לְתוֹךְ שְׂדֵה חֲבֵירוֹ, זֶה אוֹמֵר: ״זֵיתַי גִּדֵּלוּ״, וְזֶה אוֹמֵר: ״אַרְצִי גִּדֵּלָה״ – יַחְלוֹקוּ.   In the even …

Yoma 59 Bricks and Martyr Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 8th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph references a verse (Shemos 24:10) that describes the vision the Elders had at Sinai. There is a cryptic phrase, which I’ll do my best to translate: וַיִּרְא֕וּ אֵ֖ת אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וְתַ֣חַת רַגְלָ֗יו כְּמַעֲשֵׂה֙ לִבְנַ֣ת הַסַּפִּ֔יר וּכְעֶ֥צֶם הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם לָטֹֽהַר׃ ⁦and they saw the God of Israel …

Uplink to the Heavenly Cloud Yevamos 93 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 8th, 2022

On amud beis we find Rav Yannai troubled by a dream that he had, of a splintered reed. He the dream to mean that he made a halakhic mistake, by relying on a weak proof. Rav Chiyyah comforted him, by reading the dream as the opposite, implying a broken reed is humble and therefore merits to see the truth: How did the Gemara treat dreams?  Are they prophetic, or to be ignored as the result of random images and impulses firing during the night? …

Blindsight is 20/20 Gittin 23 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 8th, 2023

In our discussion on Amud Aleph, there is a dispute between Rav Sheshes and Rav Yosef regarding the qualification of a blind person to serve as a messenger for delivering a Get (bill of divorce). The Gemara explores various reasons for disqualifying a blind person, including the inability to testify accurately due to not knowing the parties involved. However, Rav Yosef challenges this argument by pointing out that a blind person can recognize oth …

Yoma 60 Cloak and Gagger Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 9th, 2021

Our Gemara tells us that though the Cohen Godol wore בגדי לבן on Yom Kippur for services related to the Holy of Holies, which were really the same as the Cohen Hedyot. they would not be recycled for Cohen hedyot use during the year.  On the topic of Bigdei Lavan, we find that one time in history a non-cohen wore the white priestly clothes and performed the service in the inner sanctuary. Moshe served as Cohen Godol during the seven in …

The Sage who Overplayed his Hand Yevamos 94 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 9th, 2022

Rashi on amud beis (“v’es achas”) discusses a hermeneutical principle which is occasionally used in Shas.  A word from a different language, often Greek and often the numeral one, is read into the text. For example, the Hebrew word “Hen”, is reinterpreted in the verse to mean “one”.  Some good examples of this are Shabbos (31b) Moed Kattan (28a) and Sanhedrin (76b). Although I do not have a well …

The Toxicity of Divorce Threats Gittin 25 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 9th, 2023

In our Gemara on Amud Aleph, we discuss a specific type of incomplete divorce document known as "aroma of a Get" (ריח גט). Although these documents are not legally binding and do not result in a valid divorce, they still have implications. A Cohen, for example, would be prohibited from marrying the woman even though she is not officially divorced. Most Rishonim, except for the Rambam, understood this prohibition to be of biblical origin (see …

Rachel's Test Gittin 24 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 9th, 2023

Our Mishna on Amud Beis teaches: If a man has two wives with identical names and he writes a bill of divorce intending to divorce the older one but then changes his mind, he may not use that bill to divorce the younger one. The Hon Ashir in the Mishna notes that the description of a case where the bill is written to divorce the older wife, rather than the reverse scenario or wives of the same age, is essentially unnecessary. However, the Mishna p …

Original Sin Bava Metzia 102 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 9th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses how to evaluate a phrase that is part of a contractual agreement and mildly contradicts another part of the contract. For example if a contract states: “Twelve gold coins a year, one gold coin per month,” what is the annual rent during a Hebrew leap year, 12 or 13 gold coins?   The lomdus revolves around if the second clause clarifies and overrides the import of the first clause, or does the firs …

Pesachim 109 What Comes First? Torah Study or Your Family? Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 10th, 2021

There are often situations in family life that the needs of consistency and dedication to Torah study clash with the needs and welfare of our children.  It is often not easy to know what comes first, because on the one hand, every family matter is urgent, and on the other hand if every matter is urgent, Torah Mah Tehei Aleha, the Torah, what will be of her?”  Any decent human being who also is dedicated to Torah intense study grap …

Searching is Closer than Being There Yevamos 3 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 10th, 2022

The top of Amud Aleph continues the discussion of why the Tanna of the Mishna began his enumeration of cases with the instance of the daughter. The principle stated is, “A law derived from a homiletical interpretation and is not explicitly stated in the Torah, is more precious to the Tanna, and therefore stated first.” כֵּיוָן דְּאָתְיָא מִדְּרָשָׁא חַבִּיבָא לֵיהּ This principle is difficult …

Honoring the Dead and the Great Nazir 47 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 10th, 2023

Our Gemara on amud beis continues to discuss that for a Meis Mitzvah (an abandoned corpse), even a Cohen Godol must bury him, and this need overrides the Cohanic prohibition to not be defiled from a corpse. It is evident from how Tosafos (“Hachi Garsinan De-Iylu”) analyzes the particular situation, that the Cohen Godol is permitted to engage in taking care of the corpse even when burial is not possible such as Yom Kippur. For example, …

Inexplicable, Mysterious And Wonderous Nazir 46 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 10th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes a verse (Devarim 6:20): אַחַר יִשְׁתֶּה הַנָּזִיר יַיִן  “And after that the nazirite may drink wine”  The rabbis use it to derive a law that the Nazir is still bound to his obligations, until after his sacrifices are brought. However, because the text is anomalous, there are a number of commentaries that see a particular lesson and message for the Nazir. The proble …

Hidden Treasure, But Open Suffering Bava Metzia 11 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 10th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses the ability of a courtyard to acquire objects for its owner without his awareness.  However, Shulchan Aruch (CM 269) rules that if it is an unexpected object, then it does not acquire it for him, such as hidden treasure.   In Vayikra (14:34) the Torah speaks about tozraas blemishes that will afflict your houses, “upon your entry into the land of Canaan.”  This odd phraseology sounds li …

Pesachim 110 OCD and Superstitious Sugyos Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 11th, 2021

Much as we would like to ignore it, it is in our nature to be superstitious.  You will say, “Not me, I don’t believe in any of this stuff.”  Really?  I will prove you wrong with this thought experiment, but brace yourself, trigger warning here: Think of a dear loved one. Now hold that image and imagine them being murdered. There is no good word to describe the ickyness and dread of that feeling.  This proves, …

Weaving a Good Peshat Yevamos 5 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 11th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the prohibition of Shaatnez, a mixing of wool and linen, and how despite this general prohibition, it is permitted to mix wool and linen in Tzitzis. The Recanti (Ki Tetze 12) “weaves” a Brilliant symbolic explanation of both the prohibition of Shaatnez and why it’s permitted in Tzitzis. I will borrow from what he said, summarize and inject some of my own psychological understanding. It all begin …

The Pleasantness Principle Yevamos 4 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 11th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph teaches the following: Rav Sheshes said that Rabbi Elazar said in the name of Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya: From where is it derived with regard to a yevama who came before a yavam afflicted with boils that one may not muzzle her, i.e., she cannot be forced to enter into levirate marriage, and he is compelled to release her by ḥalitza? As it is stated: “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain ” ( …

Fathers and Roughhousing Psychology of the Daf Bava Metzia 12

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 11th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses why a found item of a minor belongs to the father: “Because the minor does not intend to acquire it for himself, as when he finds it, he runs with it to his father.”   The propensity of this young boy speaks of a form of attachment that fathers specifically enact. A father might toss his child in the air, simultaneously terrifying and delightfing him or her. While mother stands for safety and nu …

Pesachim 115 Curiosity and Childhood Academic Success Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 12th, 2021

 Why is curiosity important? It is important because it creates an anticipation and a need that wants to be satisfied. When children are properly curious, they remain motivated and open to find out about and study things intrinsically for its own sake. Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses removing the table during the Seder to cause the children to wonder and ask questions. The Rabbis understood well that promoting curiosity is the best way for …

Pesachim 112 Second Marriages How to Succeed Psychology & the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 12th, 2021

Are Second Marriages More Likely to End in Divorce? What factors can help predict long term stability in second marriages? Our Gemara at the end of amud aleph advises against a divorced man from marrying a divorced woman, the Gemara warns: There are four minds in the bed during intimacy. Each person thinks about his current and former spouse. What does the research say about second marriages? In general, there are consistent indications that seco …

Pesachim 111 The Devil Made Me Do It Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 12th, 2021

Do demons exist? If so, what are they? Our Gemara here mentions them in a variety of scenarios that show them to be living creatures, who live and die, need space and otherwise share the earth with the rest of humanity. It is well-known that the Rambam did not believe in demons, see for example commentary on the Mishna (Avoda Zara 4:7) where he lists belief in demons amongst the defective and degenerate ideas that come from idolatry. Whenever a h …

If You Insult a Person, You Insult God (God forbid!) Nazir 48 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 12th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes a verse (Vayikra 24:18) וּמַכֵּ֥ה נֶֽפֶשׁ־בְּהֵמָ֖ה יְשַׁלְּמֶ֑נָּה נֶ֖פֶשׁ תַּ֥חַת נָֽפֶשׁ׃ One who smites the soul of a beast shall make restitution for it: life for life. Rav Yosef Bekhor Shor (ibid 24:17) says a remarkable peshat based on juxtaposition of two prior verses: וְנֹקֵ֤ב שֵׁם המ֣וֹת יוּמָ֔ת … and one who al …

The Frustrations of Daily Life Bava Metzia 13 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 12th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the status of a promissory note that was lost and found. Ordinarily, these notes with signatures of witnesses have a presumption of validity. However, since this document was dropped, that in and of itself weakens its legitimacy. (Perhaps the loan was canceled or not even enacted, and it was discarded and not lost at all.) Therefore, if one finds this document, he may not be able to return it to the lender, as p …

Respecting the Process Yevamos 6 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 13th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes the verse in Vayikra 13:3 אִ֣ישׁ אִמּ֤וֹ וְאָבִיו֙ תִּירָ֔אוּ וְאֶת־שַׁבְּתֹתַ֖י תִּשְׁמֹ֑רוּ אֲנִ֖י הֹ אֱלֹקיכֶֽם׃ ⁦You shall each revere your mother and your father, and keep My sabbaths: I am your God. The juxtaposition of the command to honor parents and to guard the Shabbos teaches that even though the obligation to honor parent …

Balance is Fluid Nazir 49 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 13th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis records a discussion where Rabbi Yehuda (the Tanna) became angry that they allowed the students of Rabbi Meir into the Shiur. His objection was based on the fact that they were “kanteranim”, which we can translate as excessively argumentative. There is a similar Gemara in Kiddushin (52b) regarding a different halakhic discussion, but likewise Rabbi Yehuda became vexed because they allowed the students of Rabbi …

The Unforgivable Bava Metzia 14 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 13th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph asserts a principle of human nature that is used to validate numerous halachic presumptions throughout Shas: “A person will not voluntarily waste their money.”   Thus, if there are certain obvious omissions in a contract, we do not assume the person agreed to such unfavorable terms, and we consider if it was written,    In another Gemara Kesuvos (36b) a similar presumption is made regarding a Co …

Pesachim 113 Staying Together For The Children? Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 14th, 2021

Is it better to stay in a loveless marriage in order to provide stability for your children? Our Gemara on amud Beis alludes to the ethical pros and cons of someone forced to continue in a marriage either due to needs of the children, or financial pressures of an unaffordable divorce settlement.   There are people who feel compelled to stay in a marriage for the sake of the children, and sometimes even due to financial reasons. While to …

Pent and Re-Pent Yevamos 7 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 14th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis references a verse, (Vayikra 7:7), “ כַּֽחַטָּאת֙ כָּֽאָשָׁ֔ם The guilt offering is like the sin offering”, and discusses features, differences and similarities of the sin offering in comparison to the guilt offering. Roughly, a sin offering (chattas) is brought for sins committed without awareness of the prohibition, that would have incurred kares if done intentionally (Rambam laws of un …

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