Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
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Showing Results 80 - 120 (1744 total)
Spiritual Standstill Bava Basra 101 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-10-04 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Beis tries to figure out how to properly allocate and position the number of graves described in the Mishna, and reconcile it within the stated dimensions of this space. One idea that was considered was that some bodies were buried standing up. The Gemara firmly rejects this as absurd, since this would be a disgraceful manner to lay a corpse. The Gemara declares: This is like a burial of donkeys and is disrespectful. &nb …
King Sized Desires Bava Basra 100 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-10-03 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Beis describes the right of a king to appropriate passageways through private property: The Mishna teaches: A king’s thoroughfare has no maximum measure. The Gemara explains: This is because the halakha is that a king may breach (poretz) the fence of an individual in order to create a thoroughfare for himself, and none may protest his actions. The Hebrew word for this domain expansion is “poretz” …
Seeing Ourselves Reflected in Others Bava Basra 99 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-10-02 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud aleph discusses contradictory verses regarding where the Cherubs on the Holy Ark faced, acting as a bellwether of God’s pleasure or disappointment with the Jewish nation: How were the cherubs standing? Rabbi Yoḥanan and Rabbi Elazar disagree about this. One says: Their faces were turned one toward the other. And one says: Their faces were turned toward the House, i.e., the Sanctuary. The Gemara asks: But ac …
Why Do We Hate that Which We Used to Love? Bava Basra 98 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-10-01 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Alephs comments on the relational consequences of arrogance: One who is haughty is not accepted even by the members of his household, as it is stated: “The haughty man abides not” (Habakkuk 2:5). What does the phrase “abides [yinveh] not” mean? It means that even in his abode [naveh], he is not accepted. Pesach Einayim wonders: If so, why do we see women who are attracted to a man specifica …
Pressed Grapes Bava Basra 97 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-09-30 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses processes of wine production and sedimentation. According to some traditions, it was actually wine that was the forbidden fruit of theTree of Knowledge. Bereishis Rabbah (19:5) tells us that Chava squeezed a grape bunch and gave Adam to drink from it. Note that the Midrash does not say, “gave him to eat from the grapes”, instead it says “squeezed the grapes and gave him to drink wine&rdqu …
In Vino Veritas Bava Basra 96 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-09-29 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a principle of Oenology, which has halachic and metaphysical implications: דאמר רבא: כל חמרא דלא דרי על חד תלת מיא – לאו חמרא הוא Rava said: Any wine that does not contain three parts water to one part pure wine is not regarded as wine, as it is excessively strong. In those days, the original wine mixture was so potent, that when they actually dran …
It Doesn’t Grow on Trees, You Know! Or…Does It? Bava Basra 95 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-09-27 00:00:00
Our Gemara on this daf discussed wine that begins to become vinegary, and at what point does it lose its status of wine. In such a case, the blessing might revert from “Hagafen - He who creates the fruit of the vine” back to “Shehakol”, the universal blessing that one makes for foods that do not grow or have a specific status, drinks, meat, and other items. Food items that have distinction or unique status tend to ge …
Don’t Invite a Heavenly Audit Bava Basra 94 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-09-27 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses an interesting psychological and legal phenomenon. There are certain thresholds of defects or deficiencies in a purchased item which are tolerated, if not expected. Therefore, while one is not allowed to deliberately adulterate grains or beans, if a minor and typical amount of dirt, sediment or pebbles etc are found in the mixture, the buyer has no recourse. Furthermore, if he finds the product to have an amount …
The Cult of Self-Care Bava Basra 93 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-09-26 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses an interesting protocol from Talmudic times: עוד מנהג גדול היה בירושלים – מפה פרוסה על גבי הפתח; כל זמן שמפה פרוסה – אורחין נכנסין. נסתלקה המפה – אין האורחין נכנסין. The baraisa continues: Another great custom that was followed in Jerusalem was that when one made a feast, there would be a clo …
Money Over Matter Bava Basra 92 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-09-25 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a case in which a buyer and seller are in dispute over if the purchased ox was sold for labor purposes or for slaughter. The difference being, that if it was found to be an unruly ox known to gore, the purchase would be deemed under false pretenses and be refunded. However, the seller maintains that he sold the ox under the presumption that it was for slaughter, thus the ox’s nature is irrelevant, and the p …
Exit Strategy Bava Basra 91 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-09-24 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses famine conditions that could allow a person to leave Eretz Yisroel: תנו רבנן: אין יוצאין מארץ לחוץ לארץ, אלא אם כן עמדו סאתים בסלע. אמר רבי שמעון: אימתי – בזמן שאינו מוצא ליקח, אבל בזמן שמוצא ליקח – אפילו עמדה סאה בסלע, לא יצא. The Sages taught: One may not leave Eretz Y …
Good Intentions Aren't Good Enough Bava Basra 90 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-09-23 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the different efforts of the Amoraim, Shmuel’s father and Shmuel himself to prevent hoarding, price manipulation and gouging in the marketplace. Interestingly, with good intentions, they employed opposite strategies. The Gemara also commented on whose intervention was more effective: אבוה דשמואל מזבין להו לפירי בתרעא חרפא, כתרעא חרפא. שמואל בריה, מש …
Is it Possible to be Forgiven by God Without Repentance? Bava Basra 89 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-09-22 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the moral obligation to be absolutely scrupulous when it comes to honest weights and measures. This obligation and prohibition extends to the degree that one is not even allowed to have an accurate measures around the house, despite using them for other purposes, with no intention to defraud anybody: A person may not keep in his house a measure that is too small or too large, even if it is used as a chambe …
The Truth that is in the Heart Bava Basra 88 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-09-20 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the extraordinary integrity of Rabbi Safrah. His standard of honesty was so high, that even if he only resolved in his mind to make a sale at a certain price, he would stick with his inner resolution, despite the buyer revealing that he would be willing to pay more. This kind of practice is considered one of many ways that a person “speaks the truth in his heart.” The idea of “speaking t …
Looking for an Opening Bava Basra 87 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-09-20 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the practice of making sure that no significant amount of liquid is left behind in the seller’s vessel, to be scrupulously honest: Anyone who sells wine, oil, or similar liquids is obligated, after he transfers the liquid into the buyer’s vessel, to drip for him three extra drops from the measure. There is also an aggadic instance of three drops in the Talmud (Menachos 29a): …
Getting Away with Murder Bava Basra 86 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-09-19 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the principle of Kim Ley Bederabbah Mineh. If one violates two prohibitions simultaneously, he is only liable for the more severe penalty of the two, but not both. For example: If one stole a wallet on shabbos but did not lift the purse but instead dragged it on the ground, exiting the private domain and going into a public domain, he is exempt from financial penalty. The prohibition of performing labor o …
Internal and External Battles Bava Basra 85 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-09-18 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph continues discussing rules of acquisitions. An animal that can be acquired by pulling it into an area that is in his possession, but not by merely pulling it into an area that is not under his ownership. Panim Yafos (Matos) uses this Halacha to explain an anomalous feature of the spoils of war from the Biblical battle with Midyan (Bamidbar 31). In other Biblical wars, the soldiers were allowed to keep the booty, unless de …
See Evil Through Rose Colored Glasses Bava Basra 84 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-09-17 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses that during the day, the Sun appears white, while in the morning and evening it has a reddish hue. What are the suggested causes? In the morning it becomes red as it passes over the site of the roses of the Garden of Eden, whose reflections give the light a red hue. In the evening the Sun turns red because it passes over the entrance of Gehenna, whose fires redden the light. And there are those who say th …
No Refunds Bava Basra 83 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-09-16 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses various forms of overcharging and undercharging, and thresholds that would invalidate the sale. The Chofetz Chaim in Laws of Rechilus (9) discusses conditions under which it would be permitted to alert a purchaser who might have been taken advantage of by an unscrupulous merchant. One of the key criteria is that the disparaging information should serve a constructive and concrete purpose. Therefore, it would neve …
How Dishonest is Dishonest? Bava Basra 82 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-09-15 00:00:00
Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses the conundrum of declaring bikkurim and reciting the appropriate ritual, even if those particular offerings may not actually be first fruits: What is objectionable about reciting verses from the Torah even if they aren’t bikkurim? Rav Ashi said to him: The problem is due to the fact that this practice has the appearance of falsehood, because he issues a declaration before God that is possibly untrue …
Are We Responsible for Triggering Another Person’s Insecurities? Bava Basra 81 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-09-13 00:00:00
Our Gemara on amud beis reports that one sage rebuked another for asking him a question about a subject that he was not familiar with, as this causes unnecessary embarrassment. Rambam (Laws of Sales14:14) codifies this as a form of ona’as devarim hurtful speech. Magid Mishna (ibid) refers to our Gemara as the source. Sefer Chassidim (972) takes this moral sensitivity even further: If someone knows himself to be renowned as sharp-minded, he …
To Know, You Must Let Go Bava Basra 80 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-09-13 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the sale of pigeons produced from a dove coop: The buyer must leave the first pair of doves from the brood for the seller. The reason that an extra pair of doves must be left behind is to ensure that the first brood will not fly away. The Gemara also rules that the buyer must also leave a second pair from the brood of the children. The Gemara questions this logic: If the reason is that she is attached to her dau …
Doing What He Wants Bava Basra 79 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-09-12 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph uses a play on words from a verse (Numbers 21:30) to describe the fate of the sinner who denies that God will hold him accountable: ונשים עד־נפח אשר עד־מידבא We have wrought desolation at Nophah, which is by Medva The name of this place, Medva, also is a pun indicating that God will eventually bring justice and “do as He pleases.” (“Ad De-Baiy”, in Aramaic means “w …
The Psychology of Intuition and Rashi Bava Basra 78 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-09-11 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph describes a certain saddle used for women, known as a Kumni, which presumably functioned in a manner that allowed a woman to ride side-saddle and more modestly. This brings to mind the famous Rashi (Shemos 28:4) that describes the form of the Ephod. The Ephod was one of the garments that the high priest wore, composed of cloth and had the breastplate attached to it. Apparently, there is no explicit teaching about wh …
Money Can’t Buy Everything Bava Basra 77 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-09-10 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Beis rules that ein matbeya nikneh be-chalifin coinage cannot be acquired via chalifin (a legal symbol exchange of a minor object, that in Jewish law, affirms an agreement or acquisition of property or goods.) We can intuitively understand why this might be so. Money is symbolic, especially paper money, as it has no intrinsic worth. In ancient times, when a precious metal was used, there was some actual value to the coin, based …
The Oral Torah and Blank Spaces Bava Basra 76 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-09-09 00:00:00
There are certain conventions in the Talmud that are difficult for the new learner to comprehend. Frankly, they would be difficult for many seasoned lamdanim as well, but after years and years of seeing the same phrase being used, I suspect that some have ceased to become curious or troubled by it. Yet, I am unsure if they became particularly wiser as to what it means and how it works – just more accepting of it. One of the most troubling c …
Much Ado About Nothing Bava Basra 75 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-09-08 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph teaches us about the end times: וְאָמַר רַבָּה אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: עָתִיד הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לַעֲשׂוֹת סוּכָּה לַצַּדִּיקִים מֵעוֹרוֹ שֶׁל לִוְיָתָן, And Rabba says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: In the future, the Holy One, Blessed be He, will prepare a sukka for the righteous from the sk …
Unbreakable Love Bava Basra 74 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-09-06 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph describes the visions of Rabbah Bar Hanna. In one of them he sees Mount Sinai and scorpions were encircling it. He heard a Divine Voice saying: Woe is Me that I took an oath; and now that I took the oath, who will nullify it for me? When he reported this vision to the sages, they rebuked him: You should have said to God: Your oath is nullified. The Gemara explains: Rabba bar bar Ḥana did not nullify the oath because he …
Psychological and Spiritual Anchors Bava Basra 73 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-09-05 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph delineates the parts of a boat that are included, and those not included in a sale. One part is the anchor, in Hebrew the word is igun. The Mishna gives a proof text from what Na’ami told Rus and Arpah, to discourage them from a quixotic return with her. She says (Rus 1:13): הלהן תשברנה עד אשר יגדלו הלהן תעגנה לבלתי היות לאיש [Even if I had children in old age] should …
Who Got Esau’s Goat? Bava Basra 72 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-09-05 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph continues the sugya of ayin yaffa, that certain sales and/or gifts are done with a generous spirit which implies that certain extras may be included in the sale or gift. As we have seen in other blogposts, the idea of a gift of being given generously with extras also applies to spiritual gifts. Siach Sarfei Kodesh (Erev Shabbos Kodesh) uses this principal to explain an unusual phrase in the Shabbos morning Amidah. We say: …
To Pray Like a Newborn Baby Bava Basra 71 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-09-04 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph continues the sugya of ayin yaffa, that certain sales and/or gifts are done with a generous spirit which implies that certain extras may be included in the sale or gift. As we have seen in other blogposts, the idea of a gift of being given generously with extras also applies to spiritual gifts. Siach Sarfei Kodesh (Erev Shabbos Kodesh) uses this principal to explain an unusual phrase in the Shabbos morning Amidah. …
The Psychology and Ethics of Legal Loopholes Bava Basra 70 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-09-03 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Beis describes a legal loophole, that allows for something akin to charging interest, which is normally forbidden. It is the framework on which modern day heterei iskas are formulated. Without going into the legal technicalities, we must ask ourselves is it moral to take advantage of a loophole. But in order to answer that, we must ask ourselves what is the function of a loophole. Law is confining and constricting. It do …
Law of Attraction Bava Basra 69 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-09-02 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Beis offers a proof text for the concept of field boundaries within a sale from the biblical story of Avraham’s purchase of the Ma’aras Hamachpela cave from Efron (Bereishis 23:17). וַיָּ֣קׇם שְׂדֵ֣ה עֶפְר֗וֹן אֲשֶׁר֙ בַּמַּכְפֵּלָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֖ר לִפְנֵ֣י מַמְרֵ֑א הַשָּׂדֶה֙ וְהַמְּעָרָ֣ה אֲשֶׁר־בּ֔וֹ ו …
Beware of Heavenly Bureaucracy Bava Basra 68 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-09-01 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes a verse in Iyov to prove the definition of a particular word known as “Shelachim”, which seems to be certain kinds of fields irrigated by water. Who gives rain upon the earth and sends [sholeaḥ] waters upon the fields” (Job 5:10) The Gemara (Ta’anis 10a) uses the same verse to draw a distinction between how the land of Israel is supported by rain versus other lands: Ere …
The Old Work Ethic Bava Basra 67 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-08-30 00:00:00
Our Gemara on on Amud Aleph discusses circumstances, under which an act to signify acquisition and legal title of one field that is being sold automatically enacts an acquisition of other fields within the sale as well. If one sold another ten fields in ten different regions, all in a single bill of sale, once he takes possession of one of them, he has acquired them all; and the two cases seem to be analogous. The Gemara …
Antidote for The King Size Human Ego Bava Basra 66 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-08-30 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes a series of verses that describe the unfortunate and complex situation of Yonasan, who due to the deprivations of battle, was starving and took a taste from honey he had found in the forest. Unbeknownst to him, his father King Shaul, had decreed a Fast upon the troops so that they repent and merit divine assistance. Effectively, he had violated his command and was subject to the death penalty. King Shaul, under tre …
The Path to Torah Bava Basra 65 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-08-29 00:00:00
In continuing the sugya of ayin yaffa, our daf discusses when a sale is made with a generous attitude, which has implications regarding if one sells passage rights to get to the property, even if it may inconvenience the seller. Regardless, all opinions hold that a gift, as opposed to a sale, is granted with a generous attitude. The Torah is described by the scripture as an acquisition but also a gift (Mishle 4:2): כי לקח …
Enforced Dignity Bava Basra 64 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-08-28 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Beis continued the discussion of several dappim regarding the dispute between Rabbi Akiva and the Rabbis over the attitude of the seller. Is he generous of spirit (ayin yaffa) or more parsimonious attitude, with halachic outcomes that indicate which extras get sold along with the property. Recognizing this pattern of behavior and emotion, Meshech Chochmah (Behar) explains this as the intention of the verses that introduc …
Depths of Creativity Bava Basra 63 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-08-27 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses that for a seller to imply that he is including all the underground cisterns and tunnels, he must say “from the depths of the Earth to the Height of the sky.” The English words for these boundaries do not capture the theological and contextual meaning of these words in Hebrew. The Hebrew word for “height of the sky” is rakia, and the Hebrew word for “depths of the Earth” is Teh …
Silence is Olden Bava Basra Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-08-26 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph and Beis record halachic discussions and situations when the great Amora, Rav was presented with a challenge to his argument, it was met with silence on his part. Rashbam (“Umodeh”) notes that sometimes the silence is to be interpreted as tacit admission, and other times, it is interpreted as a response to a question that is lacking in sophistication. That is, when questioned by peers who are close to his leve …
Efron’s Emptiness Bava Basra 61 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-08-25 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses various implied conditions and additions in the sale of property. Within that discussion Rashbam notes that one cannot use a price as indicator of how much or how few extras were included in the property, because we have a general principle that there’s no such thing as overcharging or undercharging when it comes to real estate. Unlike chattel, real estate varies in price greatly and what is considered over …
Does This Feel Like Exile? Bava Basra 60 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-08-23 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses various customs of abstention from demonstrations of joy, pleasure and material wealth in order to honor and internalize being contrite over our exile. One of the challenges in our a time of relative prosperity is to honestly feel a sense of mourning and loss. We have to recall events from the Holocaust, or more recently October 7, and the general rise of antisemitism to arouse a mood of dread. It is impor …
Observant Judaism Or Is It Absorbent Judaism? Bava Basra 59 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-08-23 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes verse in Koheles (4:12): “A threefold twine does not quickly snap.” The basic idea is that something threefold and intertwined has tensile strength that is beyond any single strand. There are numerous aggados that utilize this truth about material and physical properties and apply them to the spiritual. Our Gemara suggests that when there are three generations of Torah study in a fam …
Biting Words Bava Basra 58 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-08-22 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph uses an Aramaic idiom to describe slander and libel, “ochel kurtza”, for now we can translate it as “nibbling” a metaphor for gossip. This Aramaic idiom is used generally for any type of gossip, and often specifically in the Gemara, to the act of slandering the Jews to the secular government. Actually, the first use of this phrase can be found in Daniel (3:8), which speaks of the Jews being slander …
Ring Leader Bava Basra 57 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-08-20 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Beis describes the properties of the cloak and table of the Torah sage: Rabbi Yoḥanan asked Rabbi Bena’a: How should the garment of a Torah scholar worn under his clothes be fashioned? He replied: He can wear any garment long enough that his flesh is not visible from beneath it. Rabbi Yoḥanan asked: How should the cloak of a Torah scholar be fashioned? He replied: He can wear any garment long enough …
Maintaining Boundaries Bava Basra 56 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-08-20 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a certain kind of plant known as Chatzuva, which was used by Yehoshua to mark property boundaries in Israel. This plant has a root structure that extends straight downward, making it a natural, long-lasting and reliable boundary marker. This unique herbage makes an appearance in Gemara Beitzah (25b), where it sets a different kind of boundary: Rami bar Abba also said: The sea squill, a plant …
Depressed or Lazy? Bava Basra 55 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-08-19 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph refers to a pardakhas, which is an idle person. Rashbam describes this person as follows: A person who is idle from work, learning, derech eretz, and is not involved with settlement of the world at all. In the style of the Gemara at times, there is no commentary or moral assessment about this person. The focus is the practical halacha, no judgements. Yet, what are we to make of this person? Is he depressed, …
The Full Picture of Monotheism Bava Basra 54 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-08-18 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discussed one of the ways to acquire ownerless property is to show proprietorship. For example, the great Amora, Rav acquired a garden, which had been ownerless property, by drawing an image. Rashbam says he drew pictures of animals and birds. The fact that the Gemara (and Rashbam) casually mentions making a drawing of these figures is used as proof that this is not a violation of the prohibition (Shemo …
It is Darkest Before the Dawn Bava Basra 53 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-08-16 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the principle that a grantor of a gift has a more generous attitude and disposition (Ayin Yaffa) than one who sells the same parcel of land. This leads to assuming certain rights and/or extras are transferred in the gift of property, while in a sale, a more precise and legalistic attitude is presumed. The Shalah (Torah_Shebiksav, Bamidbar, Nasso, Beha'alotcha, Torah Ohr, Beha'alotcha) references this prin …
The Psychological Definition And Process Of Process Of Rationalization Bava Basra 52 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-08-16 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses circumstances where a person who is doing a noble deed such as tending to an orphan’s assets may be even more trustworthy. This is due to feeling high from the sense of worthiness, and not wanting to stoop low and discredit the personal sense of achievement. Tosafos here (“Detarcha”) points out that Gemara (Gittin 35a) makes the opposite conclusion. A caretaker may rationalize small …
Being in the Zone Bava 51 Basra Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-08-15 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph records a discussion where one sage mentions that the other was not within our “techum” so he was not able to join the discussion. The word “techum” in Hebrew, translates to the word boundary. Rashbam interprets this literally, explaining that in those times they would establish the Beis Midrash (study hall) on the border of the city, allowing others from nearby cities who are within t …
Fear and True Consent Bava Basra 50 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-08-14 00:00:00
Our Gemara on this daf continued to discuss the legal implications of a psychological phenomenon that a woman is more likely to dodge the truth and fib out of a wish to please her husband, and perhaps out of fear of his reaction if she did object. This is based on a mishna (Gittin 55b): If one first purchased from the husband the rights to use a field belonging to his wife, and afterward he returned and purchased the same field from …
Managing Unacceptable Thoughts by Accepting Bava Basra 49 Psychology of the Daf YomiThem
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-08-13 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Beis describes a legal process of rejecting a pending inheritance or acquisition: With regard to an inheritance that comes to a person from another place, i.e., an inheritance one will receive in the future, a person can make a condition about it from the outset that he will not inherit it, since one can waive his future rights to property that is not currently his. Sod Yesharim (First Night of Pesach 46) di …
Forced and Reinforced Bava Basra 48 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-08-12 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph continues a discussion about circumstances where a person is bullied to make a sale, but still is considered valid, due to the tendency of people to make peace with a situation once they are in it. Such as, even if a person was physically threatened to sell a property, after he accepts the money, he is agreeable enough. The Gemara attempts to prove this concept from a teaching about how one can be forced to fulfill a sacr …
An Offer You Can’t Refuse Bava Basra 47 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-08-11 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a counterintuitive Halacha: אמר רב הונא: תליוהו וזבין – זביניה זביני. מאי טעמא? כל דמזבין איניש, אי לאו דאניס – לא הוה מזבין, ואפילו הכי זביניה זביני. ודילמא שאני אונסא דנפשיה מאונסא דאחריני! אלא כדתניא: If one was suspended, e.g., from a tree, and thereby …
Remember to Forget Bava Basra 46 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-08-09 00:00:00
As is part of the text of Shas, occasionally the ancient editors and compilers would insert mnemonic words and acronyms to sum up various sections and tracts. On Amud Beis an unusual mnemonic is used: “Amalek”. Rav Yaakov Emden notes this irony. How is it appropriate to use the name of our dreaded enemy, Amalek, of whom we are commanded to wipe out its memory, as a means to remember? The verse (Devarim 25:19) commands: “Y …
Judaism and the Myth of the Noble Savage Bava Basra 45 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-08-09 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes a verse from Tehilim (37:21): לוה רשע ולא ישלם וצדיק חונן ונותן The wicked man borrows and does not repay, the righteous is generous and keeps giving. The mystical interpretation of this verse is that God is the lender, the one who gives us our soul for safekeeping. The wicked person in the verse is a person in the act of committing a sin. God is being gracious and loa …
Attachment and Mindfulness Bava Basra 44 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-08-08 00:00:00
Tosafos on Amud Beis (“V’lo”) discusses a quasi legal opinion that each Jew owns their own four cubit section in the land of Israel, by virtue of inheritance from ancestors. Even though these lands were conquered, because they were done so illegally, they are still in the possession of the rightful owners. As we discussed extensively in blog posts Psychology of the Daf Bava Basra 34 & 37, the righteous person sees God …
Being Good While You Are Bad Bava Basra 43 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-08-07 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Beis refers to the principle of ba’alayv imo. Ordinarily the borrower of an object has full liability, even for unavoidable accidental losses with zero neglect on his part. However, if the owner was employed by the borrower in some for of labor at the time of the lending, then the borrower is exempt from liability. The Ateres Yeshua on Parashas Mishpatim adds a symbolic meaning to this legal tort: God is the owner, …
The Clarifying Effect of Oppression Bava Basra 42 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-08-06 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Beis makes a reference to a Torah discussion that apparently transpired while the participants were hiding out in a cave. Rav Yaakov Emden comments on this: You see how much they cherished Torah, that even under duress hiding out in fear, they engaged in study. Torah scholarship is in many ways different than other intellectual pursuits. Art, music, science and philosophy flourish with emotional, social and financial sta …
Don’t Miss the Full Story Bava Basra 41 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-08-05 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses an interesting judicial ethic, based on a verse in Mishle (31:8) that one must help the mute express himself. Even though a judge must be careful not to show bias nor advocate for a particular side, if he sees the person is having difficulty expressing himself because he is nervous or cannot organize his thoughts, he may “judiciously” offer him help (see Shulkhan Arukh Choshen Mishpat 17:9). &n …
A Hole is Greater than the Sum of Its Parts Bava Basra 19 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-08-04 14:42:36
As part of an ongoing discussion regarding the effects of various constructions and substances on adjoining properties, and the requirements of neighbors to each other, the Gemara on amud aleph noted a property of sand: “It heats hot items and cools cold items”, which has implications about whether it would cause damage to a neighboring wall. Sand is fascinating and therefore the subject of symbolic meaning and proj …
The Clothes Make the Man Bava Basra 40 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-08-04 00:00:00
Our Gemara on amud refers to the principle of stam kinyan lekesiva omed: A symbolic act of acquisition indicates one’s intention to do everything possible to finalize the transaction as soon as possible without waiting for the actual transfer of the item. Therefore, it is assumed that the parties would desire that a document be written, and no explicit authorization is necessary. When the Gemara uses the term kinya …
Don’t Overplay the “God Card” Bava Basra 39 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-08-02 00:00:00
Our Gemara at the end of amud aleph into amud beis makes a rule regarding a situation when negative and critical speech, l’shon hara, is permitted: כֹּל מִילְּתָא דְּמִתְאַמְרָא בְּאַפֵּי תְּלָתָא, לֵית בָּהּ מִשּׁוּם לִישָּׁנָא בִּישָׁא Rabba bar Rav Huna says: Any matter that is said in the presence of three people is not subject to the prohibitio …
Rationalize or Rational-Lies? Bava Basra 38 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-08-02 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Beis weighs the effectiveness of an objection raised by an owner, claiming that somebody is squatting on his property, however, the claim was said in a circumstance or situation where it was not likely to reach the ears of the alleged squatter. This potentially is a problem because on the one hand, it doesn’t serve the squatter warning so he might not have maintained or secured properly his contract of sale, which might a …
Possessions or Possessed? Bava Basra 37 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-08-01 00:00:00
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the legal and mercantile determination of Ayin Yaffa, which we can translate as “generous attitude and terms of sale”. This is expressed in the opinion of Rabbi Akiva, who says: One who sells, sells generously, and he is presumed to have included in the sale even items that were not explicitly specified. For example, if one sold land and retained ownership of a pit or a cistern. In that …
Myth and Midrash Bava Basra 36 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-07-31 00:00:00
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 …
Unclaimed Mitzvos Bava Basra 35 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-07-30 00:00:00
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 …
Who is Testing Whom? Bava Basra 34 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-07-29 00:00:00
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 …
Grabbing a Mitzvah Bava Basra 33 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-07-28 00:00:00
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 …
Judicial and Rabbinic Fallibility and Infallibility Bava Basra 32 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-07-26 00:00:00
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
2024-07-26 00:00:00
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 …
The Exceptional Case of Rav Avraham Danzig Bava Basra 30 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-07-25 00:00:00
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 …
Preoccupations Bava Basra 29 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-07-24 00:00:00
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 …
Occupied Territories Bava Basra 28 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-07-23 00:00:00
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 …
Insurrection Bava Basra 27 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-07-22 00:00:00
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 …
Jewish Environmentalism Bava Basra 26 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-07-21 00:00:00
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 …
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
2024-07-19 00:00:00
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
2024-07-19 00:00:00
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 …
Highly Sensitive Persons Bava Basra 23 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-07-18 00:00:00
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 …
Healthy and Unhealthy Competition Bava Basra 22 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-07-17 00:00:00
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 …
The Anti-Avraham Bava Basra 21 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-07-16 00:00:00
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 …
The Power of Innocent Torah Bava Basra 20 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-07-15 00:00:00
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 …
Charity Begins in the Uterus Bava Basra 18 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-07-12 00:00:00
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
2024-07-12 00:00:00
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 …
No One Dies From A Question Bava Basra 16 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-07-11 00:00:00
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 …
The Toxic Trait of Defensiveness Bava Basra 15 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-07-10 00:00:00
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 …
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
2024-07-09 00:00:00
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 …
Allowing Yourself to Receive Bava Basra 13 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-07-08 00:00:00
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 …
Environmental Impact Study Bava Basra 12 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-07-07 00:00:00
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 …
Truth Will Spring Out Of The Earth Bava Basra 11 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-07-05 00:00:00
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
2024-07-05 00:00:00
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 …
Every Yiddle Bit Bava Basra 9 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-07-04 00:00:00
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 …
The Atheist who is a Masmid Bava Basra 8 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-07-03 00:00:00
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 …
Stages of Moral Development Bava Basra 7 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-07-02 00:00:00
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 …
Red-Handed Rationalizations Bava Basra 6 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-07-01 00:00:00
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 …
The Imagined Achievement Becomes a Substitute for Actual Achievement Bava Basra 5 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-06-30 00:00:00
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. …
Getting Boxed into Marriage Bava Basra 4 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-06-28 00:00:00
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
2024-06-28 00:00:00
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) …
Fiddler on the Wall Bava Basra 2 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-06-27 00:00:00
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 …
A Whole and One Bava Metzia 119 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-06-26 00:00:00
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 …
Love at First Sight Bava Metzia 118 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-06-25 00:00:00
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 …
Trickle Down Theory Bava Metzia 117 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-06-24 00:00:00
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 …
The Doctrine of the Descent of the Tzaddik Bava Metzia 116 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-06-23 00:00:00
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 …
Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is Bava Metzia 115 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-06-21 00:00:00
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
2024-06-21 00:00:00
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 …
Sitting is the New Smoking Bava Metzia 113 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-06-20 00:00:00
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 …
Is There Such a Thing as an Easy Mitzvah? Bava Metzia 112 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-06-19 00:00:00
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 …
Is There Morality Without God? Bava Metzia 111 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-06-18 00:00:00
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 …
Do Away With the Middleman Bava Metzia 110 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-06-17 00:00:00
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 …
The Dangers of an Insensitive Husband Bava Metzia 109 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-06-16 00:00:00
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 …
Children Versus Angels Bava Metzia 108 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-06-14 00:00:00
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
2024-06-14 00:00:00
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 …
The Power of Precision in Prayer Bava Metzia 106 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-06-11 09:22:23
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
2024-06-11 09:22:06
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
2024-06-11 00:00:00
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 …
In Families there are No Secrets Bava Metzia 103 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-06-10 00:00:00
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 …
Original Sin Bava Metzia 102 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-06-09 00:00:00
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 …
Eviction Notice Bava Metzia 101 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
2024-06-07 00:00:00
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
2024-06-07 00:00:00
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 …