Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
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Showing Results 360 - 400 (1715 total)
Every Great Story Begins With A Snake Pesachim 10 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 1st, 2020
Every Great Story Begins With A Snake - Nicolas Cage And if you say that sometimes one goes down into the pit for some requirement of his, and he will come to eat it, with regard to a loaf that was in the mouth of a snake, is it necessary for him to bring a snake charmer to take the loaf out of the snake’s mouth, or is this effort not necessary? זִימְנִין דְּנָחֵית לְצוּרְכֵּיהּ וְאָתֵי לְמֵיכְל …
Every Moment is Pregnant with Possibility Yevamos 75 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 20th, 2022
Our Gemara discusses various forms of infertility such as damage to testicles and other reproductive organs. Of course, one of the greatest forms of existential distress is the inability to have children. It is easy to fall into despair. A personage no less noble than the matriarch, Rachel, declared, “Give me children, for if not, I am dead.” (Bereishis 30:1) Yet we must also acknowledge that there are other ways for human …
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 …
Everyone Hears Only What He Understands Eruvin 89 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 6th, 2020
Gemara Eruvin 89 “Everyone Hears Only What He Understands” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe תוספות הכא מתני' כל גגות. גזרה משום תל ברה"ר - אף על גב דקיימא לן כר' מאיר בגזירותיו אפילו במקום רבים כדאמרינן בפ' אע"פ (כתובות נז.) גבי משהה אדם את אשתו שתים ושלש שנים בלא כתובה הכא אומר ר"י דאין הלכה …
Everyone Needs Encouragement Nazir 59 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 23rd, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis refers to a teaching approach repeated several times in Shas, known as,“To sharpen the students”. A teacher may say over something that is obviously incorrect in order to stimulate the students to question the teaching. The idea is to keep the students on their toes and create an environment where all ideas are critically challenged and not taken for granted. In other words, the teacher “serves softballs& …
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 …
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 …
Everything You Wanted to Know About Kares But Are Afraid to Ask Yevamos 8 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 15th, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes one of the key verses in regard to sexual prohibitions: ויקרא י״ח : כט כִּ֚י כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר יַעֲשֶׂ֔ה מִכֹּ֥ל הַתּוֹעֵבֹ֖ת הָאֵ֑לֶּה וְנִכְרְת֛וּ הַנְּפָשׁ֥וֹת הָעֹשֹׂ֖ת מִקֶּ֥רֶב עַמָּֽם׃ All who do any of those abhorrent things—such persons shall be cut off from their people. The verse describ …
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 …
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 …
Exit Strategy Bava Basra 91 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 24th, 2024
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 …
Extra Credit in Mitzvos Bava Metzia 65 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 26th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the legal technicalities of whether a rental or hire incurs financial obligation from commencement, or only at the end, when the rental or work contract is completed. Halachically this has implications for whether advance payment at a discount is considered charging interest or not. The halacha is that the obligation to pay a rental fee is incurred only at the end of the rental period. The Chida (Midbar Kd …
Extralegal and Legal Actions and Intentions Kiddushin 55 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 5th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis considers the moral and halakhic dilemma of what to do if by violating a minor prohibition, one can accomplish a great merit. Our Gemara discusses the case of an animal found in Yerushalayim, which is assumed to have been dedicated for a sacrifice. Since it is of unknown designation, it cannot be brought as is on the altar, as each sacrifice has different procedures. Redeeming a non-blemished animal is forbidden, but the t …
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 …
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 …
Factors That Create Receptivity Toward Criticism Sotah 49 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 17th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis laments the state of the world prior to arrival of the Mashiach, including the inability to to accept rebuke: בְּעִקְבוֹת מְשִׁיחָא חוּצְפָּא יִסְגֵּא וְיוֹקֶר יַאֲמִיר הַגֶּפֶן תִּתֵּן פִּרְיָהּ וְהַיַּיִן בְּיוֹקֶר וּמַלְכוּת תּהָפֵךְ לְמִינוּת וְאֵין תּוֹכַחַת בֵּית וַועַד …
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 …
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. …
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 …
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 …
False Omens Bava Basra 109 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 11th, 2024
Our Gemara on amud beis discusses the famous incident of the Pesel Micha, as described in Shoftim 17. In those anarchic times, a fellow made a sanctuary and appointed his own priest. From our Gemara’s exposition of the story, the man met a person named Levi, and took it as a sign that he was to be HIS Levite, that is, a man to serve as his Cohen in his fabricated temple. Indeed we find in our tradition an idea that certai …
False Pride and Real Guilt Bava Kamma 18 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 20th, 2023
Our Gemara from 17b to 18a discussed how certain actions are viewed, from their inception or from their end point? For example, if an animal stomps upon a vessel, and the vessel does not break, but then from that force, rolls and breaks. If we follow the initial stomp, it would be the damage of “foot”, requiring full payment. But if we follow the end, where the vessel broke by banging into another object, this is comparabl …
Familiarity Breeds Contempt Chaggigah 7 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 15th, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes a verse in Mishley (25:17): הֹקַ֣ר רַ֭גְלְךָ מִבֵּ֣ית רֵעֶ֑ךָ פֶּן־יִ֝שְׂבָּעֲךָ֗ וּשְׂנֵאֶֽךָ׃ Visit your neighbor sparingly, Lest he have too much of of you and loathe you. The gist of this verse is to not overstay your welcome. The Talmud extends this idea by metaphor to not frequent the Beis HaMikdash with offerings, as presumably frequency …
Family Planning: Quality versus Quantity Psychological Insights on the Daf Yomi Yevamos 36
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 12th, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the halakhic principle that one should not marry a woman who is still nursing a child, as she may become pregnant, and this could disrupt her milk supply. The Gemara wonders why this concern is only active with the second husband, as even with her first husband she might become pregnant and interrupt the milk supply? The Gemara concludes that in either case, the woman will use birth control.&nb …
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 …
Fear and True Consent Bava Basra 50 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 14th, 2024
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 …
Fear in the Classroom and in Pedagogy Kesuvos 28 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 3rd, 2022
Much as we would like to think of school as a positive and happy place, we cannot dismiss the necessary element of fear as part of the educational experience. In order for teachers to maintain respect and order, students must have some degree of fear in relation to their authority. Of course, taken to an extreme, children who experience overwhelming dread and anxiety will not learn well, and even if obedient, will be less likely to ex …
Fear no Love Pesachim 22 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 13th, 2020
The Gemara Discusses a challenge of how to understand what could possibly be equated to the fear of G-d. The reason why this puzzle arises is that in Hebrew there is a conjunctive word that you cannot easily translate into English, the word “Es”, which roughly translates into a verbal signal that some thing is coming along with the item explicitly named. So for example when the verses honor thy father and thy mother, there is this add …
Feeling Strapped to Tell the Truth Eruvin 96 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 13th, 2020
Eruvin 96 Michal, daughter of Kushi, King Saul, would don phylacteries, and the Sages did not protest against her behavior, as she was permitted to do so. מִיכַל בַּת כּוּשִׁי הָיְתָה מַנַּחַת תְּפִילִּין וְלֹא מִיחוּ בָּהּ חֲכָמִים Tosafos ibid quotes a Pesikta Rabasi (22) which states the rabbis did object. רא״ש חולין ח:כו וכן מיכל בת שאול היתה מנ …
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 …
Fiery Words Nedarim 57 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 21st, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Beis mentions an unusual idiom for bringing up a question: העלה בידו he brought up with his hands. The Ran says that sometimes the words mouth and hand are interchangeable in Hebrew, and brings a proof from a verse in Yeshaiyahu (6:6) and the Targum. וַיָּ֣עׇף אֵלַ֗י אֶחָד֙ מִן־הַשְּׂרָפִ֔ים וּבְיָד֖וֹ רִצְפָּ֑ה בְּמֶ֨לְקַחַ֔יִם לָקַ֖ח מֵע …
Fight Fire with Fire Chaggigah 27 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 8th, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us: Rabbi Abbahu said that Rabbi Elazar said: The fire of Gehenna has no power over Torah scholars. This can be derived by an a Kal V’chomer inference from the salamandra, a creature created out of fire and immune to its effects, and whose blood is fireproof: If a salamander, which is merely a product of fire, and nevertheless when one anoints his body with its blood, fire has no power over him, all the mor …
Fighting Domestic Terror
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 11th, 2023
I am a coward. When I read the stories about grandmothers bravely fighting off terrorists, or Holocaust stories of people enduring death marches, barefoot in the freezing cold, I know that I am not made of that stuff. The events in Israel are unprecedented and require some commentary, at least for those who read my blog and allow me the vanity of thinking my ideas have value and, for whatever reason, draw inspiration from them. In our religion, s …
Fill 'er Up with Premium Bava Basra 134 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 6th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph details the vast array of wisdom, Torah knowledge, and even scientific expertise mastered by a Torah scholar like Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai, the least among Hillel the Elder’s eighty students: The Sages said about Rabban Yoḥanan ben Zakkai that he did not neglect Bible and Mishna, Talmud, halachos and aggados, minutiae of the Torah and minutiae of the scribes, hermeneutical principles for a fortiori inferen …
Filling the Empty Space Kiddushin 77 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 29th, 2023
This daf delves into the intricate matter of the invalidation of Challalah to marry a cohen. A challalah is a woman who either descends from a forbidden priestly marriage, such as when a Cohen marries a divorcee, or a woman who engages in such a prohibited union, like a widow who marries a Cohen Gadol. As a result, she becomes a challalah, rendering her ineligible to partake of Terumah and preventing her from marrying another Cohen in the event o …
Finding Yourself by Winging it Bava Basra 163 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 5th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the standard width of a line in order to determine the acceptable width of a blank section between the closing line of the contract and the witness’s signatures. As we discussed on daf 162, this is a safeguard against cheating, to prevent the later insertion of fraudulent obligations and conditions. The yardstick used by the rabbis is comprised of two words, which contain tall and short letters, so as to a …
Fine by You, But is it Fine by Me? Bava Kamma 42 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 14th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis refers to the fine paid by the owner of an ox who gores and kills a Canaative slave. The amount is set at 30 shekel, regardless of the actual worth of the slave. The gemara considers this a stringency, which then has implications in terms of inferences to and from other related laws, via reasoning of a kal v’chomer. The commentaries raise an obvious question: Why is this fixed amount assumed to be a stringency? …
First Impressions Last Sotah 20 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 18th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph refers to a Rasha Arum, a cunning wicked person. The Zohar (Vayeshev) describes the Evil Inclination as the prototypical Rasha Arum, because he arrives first in a person’s life. That is when a young child only knows raw instinct, he tends toward physicality and lust. Only later, as a child develops intellectual discernment, he is capable of having a good inclination. Since the evil incarnation has already long been …
Flood Assurance Bava Metzia 48 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 16th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a particular curse that befalls one who reneges on a transaction after money was exchanged. We have learned that exchange of money alone does not accomplish acquisition without the physical object being moved or lifted. Therefore, even though technically no transfer was completed yet, and legally he can stop the process, it is an ethical violation by going back on his word after the giving and accepting of payme …
For Fast-Acting Relief Try Slowing Down Eruvin 90 Psych of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 6th, 2020
“For Fast-acting Relief, Try Slowing Down.” — Lily Tomlin וְרָמֵי בַּר חָמָא אַגַּב חוּרְפֵּיהּ לָא עַיֵּין בַּהּ, אֶלָּא הָכִי קָמִיבַּעְיָא לֵיהּ: שְׁתֵּי אַמּוֹת בְּגַג וּשְׁתֵּי אַמּוֹת בְּאַכְסַדְרָה, מַהוּ? The Gemara explains that this was not in fact the dilemma, and Rami bar Ḥama, …
For Morality there is no Threshold Bava Metzia 55 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 23rd, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph teaches that ordinarily sums of money below a perutah are not legally pursuable, such as theft of less than a perutah. Yet, when it comes to the Temple treasury, one must pay restitution for even less than a perutah. Yismach Moshe (Mattos 6:2) uses this idea to explain why a gentile who steals from a Jew even less than a perutah is still held liable. The reason why theft of less than a perutah is not legally …
Forbidden Prayers Yevamos 59 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 5th, 2022
Our Gemara on amud beis discusses the prohibition of Esnan Zonah and Mchir Kelev, a prohibition against using an animal for sacrifice that was a payment to a prostitute or a barter for a dog: You shall not bring the hire of a harlot or the price of a dog into the House of the Lord your God for any vow; for both of them are an abomination to the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 23:19). This verse prohibits one from sacrificing an animal as an off …
Forced and Reinforced Bava Basra 48 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 12th, 2024
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 …
Forced Interpretation Kesuvos 95 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 9th, 2022
When coerced, especially those in fear, may lie or be evasive. It is not because they are inherently dishonest people. Rather, the typical human response to fearful aggression is passive aggression. Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses situations where certain legal transactions, though done in a manner that would ordinarily indicate sufficient intent, are rendered non-binding if the rabbis believed that the wife was under emotional coercion …
Formidable Foreskin Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 149
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 2nd, 2020
וְאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁבִּיקֵּשׁ אוֹתוֹ רָשָׁע, לַעֲשׂוֹת לְאוֹתוֹ צַדִּיק כָּךְ, נִמְשְׁכָה עׇרְלָתוֹ שְׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת אַמָּה, וְהָיְתָה מְחַזֶּרֶת עַל כׇּל הַמְּסִיבָּה כּוּלָּהּ. שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״שָׂבַעְתָּ קָלוֹן מִכּ …
Fountain of Youth Yevamos 65 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 11th, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses two related physiological phenomena that today we do not recognize or understand well. If a man was not able to ejaculate his seed with force similar to shooting an arrow, he was considered to be infertile. Additionally, the woman was able to perceive this internally and her testimony on this was given more credence than the husband’s awareness or lack thereof. Based on this way that sexuality …
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 …
Friends with Liabilities Eruvin 19 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 28th, 2020
Eruvin 19 וְתוּ לֵיכָּא? וְהָאִיכָּא ״גֵּיהִנָּם״! — גֵּיא שֶׁעֲמוּקָּה (בְּגֵיהִנָּם), שֶׁהַכֹּל יוֹרֵד לָהּ עַל עִסְקֵי הִנָּם. The Gemara poses a question: Are there no more names? Isn’t there the name Gehenna? The Gemara answers that this is not a name rather a description: A valley that is as deep as the valley [gei] of ben Hinnom. …
Fringe Benefits of Mitzvos Bava Metzia 7 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 6th, 2024
Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses a situation of two people, in dispute regarding possession of a cloak made with gold threads on certain parts, and how it should be divided fairly. The literal word used for the cloak is “talis”. Does the Gemara really mean a Talis, the garment which is a mitzvah to wear with Tzitzis fringes attached? Possibly, as it may be that Jews routinely wore four cornered garments as a standard, and did …
From Blessing to Reality Bava Kamma 12 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 14th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph references the idea that all land is linked, allowing the act of acquisition of one property to affect the acquisition of another, unlike chattel (movable objects). Sefer Daf al Daf quotes Rabbi Akiva Eiger (Shu”t 4:11) who asks a question based on this teaching. The verse in Bereishis (28:13) tells us that Hashem promises Yaakov that the land he was sleeping on would one day become his possession: הָאָ֗רֶץ …
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) …
Fundamentally Pious Bava Kamma 103 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 13th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses an incident that occurred to “a certain pious individual” “chassid echad”, who was involved in a purchase transaction, and there was question as to whom he should pay. There was a debate about whether the case involved a false oath. The Gemara challenges this position, because the litigant was described as a pious person. The Gemara then says, perhaps this situation came up after he repent …
G-d is in the Details Safek Deraban Psychology of the Daf Eruvin 5
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 14th, 2020
Eruvin Daf ספק דרבנן לקולא Famous Question of השגת הרמב״ן on Rambam Sefer Hamitzvos Shoresh 1: If rabbinic laws come from לא תסור, then they are deoraysa too. If so, why ספק דרבנן לקולא ספק דאורייתא לחומרא for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psychology of the DAF Eruvin 5 The Ramban asks this question, and then suggests the obvious answer, that the rabbis build i …
Gates of Repentance Kesuvos 106 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 16th, 2022
Our Gemara on amud aleph tells us that there were seven gates in the Second Bais Hamikdash. What is the symbolic significance of these seven gates? Sefer Yetzira tells us that there are seven gates to the soul. That is: two eyes, two ears, two nostrils and the mouth. Shalah (Torah Shebiksav, Shoftim, Derekh Chayim) interprets the verse, “You shall place Judges and police by all your gates” (Devarim 16:18) as app …
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 …
Gemara as Literature Eruvin 48 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 25th, 2020
Eruvin 48 כִּי אֲתָא לְקַמֵּיהּ דְּרַב פָּפָּא, אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אִי דָּיְיקִינַן כּוּלֵּא הַאי, לָא הֲוֵי תָּנֵינַן. When Rav Mesharshiya’s son came before Rav Pappa, the latter said to him: Were we to be so precise, we would not be able to learn anything at all, as we would be too busy answering such questions. פלא יועץ ערך גרסא גירסא - א …
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 …
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 …
Get Curious Instead of Furious
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 4th, 2018
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. After Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of Knowledge, the scripture tells us they hi …
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 …
Getting Away with Murder Bava Basra 86 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 19th, 2024
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 …
Getting Back on the Wagon Bava Kamma 31 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 3rd, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the liabilities of one who trips, and then another trips on him. Even though there is a dispute about this liability between Rabbi Meir and the Chachamim, all agree that if the person tripped and did not get up within a normal interval, he then becomes liable if someone trips on him. The Aramaic word used in the Gemara is Niskal, which is phonetically and linguistically equivalent to the Hebrew word nichshal, wh …
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 …
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 …
Gifts and Intimacy Bava Metzia 15 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 14th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses an interesting case where a man attempts to enact marriage to a person to whom he is forbidden, such as a sister. Usually marriage is enacted via an exchange of an object of value (classically, a gold ring). In this situation, since the marriage is obviously impossible, what did he intend to do with the object of value or the money? This is subject to a dispute between Rav and Shmuel: Rav says: The money h …
Give Me Torah or Give Me Death Eruvin 99 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 16th, 2020
Reish Lakish said: One who expelled phlegm in front of his master has acted in a disrespectful manner and is liable for the punishment of death at the hand of Heaven, as it is stated: “All they who hate Me love death” (Proverbs 8:36). Do not read it as: “They who hate [mesanai] Me”; rather, read it as: “Those who make themselves hateful [masniai] to Me,” i.e., those who make themselves hateful by such a dischar …
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 …
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 …
Giving is Receiving Kiddushin 7 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 21st, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph presents a novel perspective on the bond of marriage through the exchange of an object of value. Conventionally, marriage involves the groom giving an object of value to the bride with her consent. However, our Gemara introduces an unconventional scenario where, surprisingly, if the woman gives something, it is as if she is the one receiving. Specifically, if she bestows a gift upon a dignitary, someone whose acceptance o …
Giving Pregnant Women Their Due Kiddushin 34 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 15th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph questions the Mishna’s declaration of a general rule regarding women not being obligated in time-bound mitzvos: וּכְלָלָא הוּא? הֲרֵי מַצָּה, שִׂמְחָה, הַקְהֵל, דְּמִצְוַת עֲשֵׂה שֶׁהַזְּמַן גְּרָמָא, וְנָשִׁים חַיָּיבוֹת! וְתוּ: וַהֲרֵי תַּלְמוּד תּוֹרָה, פְּרִיָּה וּרְבִיָּה, …
Glad We Thought of It Sanhedrin 8 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 25th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph debates whether Moshe’s statement in Devarim (1:17) reflects a hint of arrogance on his part: “And the cause that is too hard for you, you shall bring to me, and I will hear it.” Rabbi Ḥanina, and some say Rabbi Yoshiya, argues that this statement displayed a degree of presumptuousness. As a result, Moshe was later punished… Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak objects to this critique of Moshe. He points …
God Can Tolerate Many Sins So Long As We All Get Along Sotah 25 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 23rd, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses three situations where prosecution of Beis Din can be suspended if the accusing parties choose to forgive their original charges: אָמַר רַבִּי יֹאשִׁיָּה שְׁלֹשָׁה דְּבָרִים סָח לִי זְעֵירָא מֵאַנְשֵׁי יְרוּשָׁלַיִם בַּעַל שֶׁמָּחַל עַל קִינּוּיוֹ קִינּוּיוֹ מָחוּל וְזָקֵן מַמְרֵא …
God Himself Will Comfort Bava Basra 124 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 22nd, 2024
Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses the halachic principle that a firstborn inherits a double portion. The Imrei Shefer (Vayikra 10:12) uses this idea to address a textual and halachic question regarding the Torah’s description of Aharon’s remaining sons. The verse refers to Elazar and Isamar as “Aharon’s remaining sons,” which typically implies a smaller remnant of a larger group, as noted by the Taz (YD 43:7). Aharo …
God in Search of Man Bava Metzia 30 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 29th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses an important exemption in the mitzvah to return a lost object. Should the person be of a dignified status, and lost items be of such a nature that the person would not even pick up his own possessions in those circumstances, he is then exempt. For example, imagine a bag of apples that is scattered all over the street, and requires bending down on one’s hands and knees to retrieve them. It is very possible t …
God is Responsible Bava Kamma 22 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 24th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the concept of damages caused by fire. There is a principle known as “Isho Mishum Chiytzav”, which means that the fire is not merely treated as a possession that he must watch, but it is like his arrow. The action of sending a fire has implications as if he caused the damage directly from a physical action. אָמַר רָבָא: קְרָא וּמַתְנִיתָא מְסַיַּיע לֵיהּ …
God is the Baal Tekiah Bava Kamma 28 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 30th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the well-known principle that the Torah does not hold a person liable for sins committed that he could not stop or control, or if he was compelled by an overpowering force, or committed them under life threatening conditions. The precise language is, “The Merciful One exempts a victim of circumstances beyond his control.” Rav Simcha Bunim Mipeshischa (Kol Mevaser II:Rosh Hashanah) notes the mann …
God Leaves the Driving to You Bava Metzia 33 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 1st, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses an interesting intersection between the letter of the law and ethical obligations beyond legal requirements: If one finds his lost item and his father’s lost item, tending to his own lost item takes precedence. The Gemara provides a scriptural source that alludes to the need to ensure one doesn’t save others’ possessions to the extent that he himself becomes impoverished. &n …
God May Let You Do What You Want, Even If It Is Wrong Sotah 34 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 2nd, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses God’s ambiguous directive to Moshe about sending out the Spies: שְׁלַח לָךְ אֲנָשִׁים אָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ שְׁלַח לְךָ מִדַּעְתֶּךָ וְכִי אָדָם זֶה בּוֹרֵר חֵלֶק רַע לְעַצְמוֹ וְהַיְינוּ דִּכְתִיב וַיִּיטַב בְּעֵינַי הַדָּבָר אָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ ב …
God of “Salivation” Kesuvos 104 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 16th, 2022
Judaism, like the healthy personalities it seeks to foster, is not rigidly about one thing. Most principles in Judaism are about balancing a tension between important and conflicting values. How could something as important as Torah, or the human personality it is designed to develop, possibly be monolithic? If so, there would be no need for more than one human. Judaism has ascetic and self-abnegating values, while at the same time discouraging e …
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 …
God’s Foreknowledge and Free Will Sotah 18 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 9th, 2023
Our Mishna on Amud Beis tells us that according to Rabbi Meir, one of the oaths that the Sotah takes is about her future behavior: רַבִּי מֵאִיר אוֹמֵר: אָמֵן שֶׁלֹּא נִטְמֵאתִי, אָמֵן שֶׁלֹּא אֶטָּמֵא. Rabbi Meir says that “amen, amen” means: Amen that I did not become defiled in the past, amen that I will not become defiled in the future. The Gemara elaborates:
…
God’s Long Hand for the Handicapped Kesuvos 68 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 12th, 2022
Sometimes it’s frustrating when you encounter a beggar who claims to be suffering from various mishaps illnesses and misfortunes, but you wonder if he or she might be faking. It is a Torah violation to turn down a beggar (Devarim 15:7, Shulkhan Arukh YD 247:1), yet sometimes your gut tells you, “This is a scam”. Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the situation of the beggar who fakes his illness in order to inspire more generosi …
God’s Role in Supporting Human Free Will Yevamos 62 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 8th, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses Moshe’s rationale for accepting upon himself celibacy, which ion Jewish religious practice, not typically considered pious or proper. Moshe reasoned, “If the Jews had to seperate from sexuality in order to experience revelation at Mount Sinai, Kal V’chomer I myself must constantly refrain from sexuality, since God appears to me at any time.” The Talmud reports that God agreed with Moshe&r …
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 …
Going Against the Tide Kiddushin 29 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 11th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph enumerates various obligations upon a father toward his son, including teaching him to swim. Rav Elyashiv (Divrei Aggadah, Devarim 14:9) asks, "Why did the rabbis specifically choose swimming when there must be many other hazards and skills to learn? Why not Mathematics to avoid being cheated or Self-defense in case of bandits?" Rav Elyashiv suggests that the Gemara chose swimming because of a double entendre. He explains …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Good Intentions Aren't Good Enough Bava Basra 90 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 23rd, 2024
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 …
Good, Is Good Enough Bava Kamma 54-55 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 26th, 2023
Our Gemara at the end of Daf 54 into Daf 55 shares a seemingly bizarre dialogue, where a great Rabbi and sage appears to be ignorant of a basic verse in the Ten Commandments: שָׁאַל רַבִּי חֲנִינָא בֶּן עָגֵיל אֶת רַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר אַבָּא: מִפְּנֵי מָה בְּדִבְּרוֹת הָרִאשׁוֹנוֹת לֹא נֶאֱמַר בָּהֶם ״טוֹב״, וּבְדִבְּרוֹת …
Good Job, Bad Job Sotah 31 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 28th, 2023
Our Gemara on aleph concludes that Iyov’s level of love and fear of God matched Avraham’s. תַּנְיָא רַבִּי מֵאִיר אוֹמֵר נֶאֱמַר יְרֵא אֱלֹהִים בְּאִיּוֹב וְנֶאֱמַר יְרֵא אֱלֹהִים בְּאַבְרָהָם מָה יְרֵא אֱלֹהִים הָאָמוּר בְּאַבְרָהָם מֵאַהֲבָה אַף יְרֵא אֱלֹהִים הָאָמוּר …
Good Vibrations Bava Basra 158 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 29th, 2024
Our Gemara on amud beis states that there is something about the air of the Land of Israel that inspires wisdom. What is this really about? From a psychological perspective, it is understandable that the sense of confidence, security and identity that comes with living unapologetically as a Jew in the Jewish homeland certainly can enhance all kinds of creativity and development. Rabbenu Bechaye (Shemos 25:39) actually says somet …
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 …
Grandiose Charity Kesuvos 67 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 11th, 2022
When is it permitted to have ulterior motives along with a mitzvah? Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses the tragic ending of Nakdimon Ben Gurion who was immensely wealthy, but became impoverished. The Gemara wonders what could he gave done to suffer such a fate when he gave abundantly to tzeddakah? One answer given is that he did the mitzvah in order to aggrandize himself. Maharsha asks, did we not learn in Rosh Hashanah (4 …
Grandparent Alienation Yevamos 70 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 16th, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us the well-known aphorism, בני בנים הרי הם כבנים Grandchildren are considered as if they are children. Grandparents can be a resource for their grandchildren, as well as a source of satisfaction and fulfillment to the grandparents. If the relationship between the Grandparent and their child is a healthy one, the parents will also enjoy the grandparents’ involvement, offering an ex …
Great People and Great Errors Kiddushin 63 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 5th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes the injunction from Devarim (23:16): לֹא־תַסְגִּ֥יר עֶ֖בֶד אֶל־אֲדֹנָ֑יו אֲשֶׁר־יִנָּצֵ֥ל אֵלֶ֖יךָ מֵעִ֥ם אֲדֹנָֽיו "You shall not turn over to the master a slave who seeks refuge with you from that master." Although our Gemara darshens this verse differently, halakhically speaking, this verse is interpreted as a prohibition against returning a …
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 …
Grieving the Loss of Our Dreams Bava Basra 111 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 14th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the fact that Miriam’s banishment was supposed to last for 14 days based on the following logic: If her father had but spit in her face, should she not hide in shame for seven days?” (Numbers 12:14). The Gemara then argues, in fact, Miriam experienced a more severe reprimand from the Divine Presence, therefore, she ought to have been ostracized for fourteen days. Yet, by dint of the fact that this di …
Grievous Errors Bava Kamma 38 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 10th, 2023
Our Gemara on amud aleph records a discussion between Ulla and the Babylonian sages, where Ulla takes a strong position regarding how one should be careful in what he says and implies at a mourner’s home: Ulla said to them: What business do I have with the consolation of Babylonians, which is actually heresy? As they say while consoling mourners: What can be done? This seems to suggest that if it were possible to do something, acting agains …
Grievous Grievances Kesuvos 92 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 6th, 2022
We know the Jews in the wilderness complained quite a bit. Did they have justification for doing so? Our Gemara on Amud describes a scenario where Reuven sold a field to Shimon with a stipulation that he will bear no responsibility if a prior creditor comes with a lien on the field and repossesses it. If that occurs, there is a question as to whether Reuven could offer claims in the court case as co-defendant, since essentially he is not a Baal D …
Growth and Comfort Do Not Coexist Kesuvos 110 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 24th, 2022
(source of title quote Ginny Rometty)
Change is not easy, even when it is a good change. Some of life’s most stressful moments come with good changes, such as marriage, birth of a child or moving neighborhoods. Our Mishna on Amud Beis discusses the marital considerations required when moving, even from a lesser quality environment to a higher quality environment: שָׁלֹשׁ אֲרָצוֹת לַנִּשּׂוּאִין, יְהוּ …
Guns Don’t Kill - Sin Kills Bava Metzia 93 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 31st, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the extent of a shepherd’s responsibility if a lion is approaching the flock: What could he have done to prevent an attack by a lion? Rabba replies: He should have faced the lion with other shepherds and with sticks to chase it away. There is a natural principle that animal predators are fearful of humans. This is not an absolute, but unless provoked by territory concerns or extreme hunger, an …
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 …
Habit Is Stronger Than Reason Eruvin 93 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 10th, 2020
Habit Is Stronger Than Reason - George Santayana. The Gemara described a structure called an Achsadra, which in Greek is an Exedra (usually in the Gemara a chaf-samach combination is actually a Greek Chi. This structure consists of a Roof and at least some open walls, if not all four walls open, depending on the case discussed. In terms of Derash there is a Gemara in Menachos 29b that describes the world as a giant achsadra: ומפני מה …
Habits of Respect and Decency Bava Kamma 17 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 19th, 2023
At the end of 16b and the top of 17 Amud Aleph we learn that as a tribute to King Chizkiyahu, they set up a Yeshiva by his grave, and studied there. Tosafos (16b) raises the question how could they have done this, since a dead person is not obligated or able to study torah, this would be a violation of “mocking a poor person.” Meaning the verse in Mishle (17:5) warns against the insensitivity of rubbing a person's deficie …
Hair Splitting Discussion Nedarim 4 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 28th, 2022
What is the significance of the Nazir not cutting his hair? We can understand that the Nazir’s abstaining from cutting his hair is to shun vanity, as is described later on in the mesechta 9b. The Rama in Toras Haolah (III:71) explains further that the Nazir is required to abstain from three aspects: He must not drink wine, he must not become impure and he must not cut his hair. Each of these abstentions relate to a different kind of h …
Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow Daf 18 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 27th, 2020
Eruvin 18 לְכִדְרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן מְנַסְיָא. דְּדָרֵישׁ רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן מְנַסְיָא: ״וַיִּבֶן ה׳ אֱלֹהִים אֶת הַצֵּלָע״ — מְלַמֵּד שֶׁקִּילְּעָהּ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְחַוָּה וֶהֱבִיאָהּ לְאָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן, שֶׁכֵּן בִּכְרַכֵּי ה …
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 …
Halakha Vs. Common Sense
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 24th, 2018
Ideally, there never should be an instance of Halakha versus common sense. As we shall soon see, while the Torah may not always be provable through deductive reasoning alone, it should never ask us to believe something that is patently unreasonable. I feel compelled to a write this in response to fundamentalist trends that seem to make virtue out of blind acceptance. Granted there is a certain logic to such a position, perhaps considering that G- …
Halakhic Explorations of the Status of Gender Reassignment Surgery Yevamos 55 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 21st, 2022
Our Gemara on 54b and 55b quotes a Bibllical phrase in Vayikra 18:22 where it describes sexual intercourse as “Mishkavei Isha”, the “Layings in regard to women”. Though the pashut peshat is referring to sexual acts, the derash takes this to imply multiple forms of sexual intercourse, such as anal intercourse. Rabbenu Chananel on this verse (also quoted by Ibn Ezra) offers a creative explanation with modern relevance, …
Halakhic Independence vs. Conservatism Gittin 83 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 7th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis engages in a discussion regarding posthumous challenges to the halakhic position of Rabbi Eliezer. Rabbi Yehoshua addresses the group of questioners, including himself, stating: "אֵין מְשִׁיבִין אֶת הָאֲרִי לְאַחַר מִיתָה" (One does not refute the opinion of a lion after his death). This expression emphasizes that even if compelling questions arise, we cannot be certain that Rabbi Eliez …
Halakhic Reasoning and Myopic Dangers Psychology of the Daf Yomi Gittin 81
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 4th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph engages in a discussion to determine what occurred to a wife of a Cohen who was taken captive. Rabbi Dosa does not assume she was raped even though she may have been molested in other ways: אָמַר רַבִּי דּוֹסָא: וְכִי מָה עָשָׂה לָהּ עַרְבִי זֶה? מִפְּנֵי שֶׁמִּיעֵךְ לָהּ בֵּין דַּדֶּיהָ, פְּסָלָהּ מִן הַכְּהוּנָּה?! …
Haley's Comet and the Telescope Eruvin 42 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 18th, 2020
The Gemara quotes the machlokes Rabban Gamliel and Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya versus Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Yehoshua. This machlokes also was enacted in regard to a voyage that all four of them took together as reported in the Mishna 4:1 משנה עירובין ד׳:א׳ מִי שֶׁהוֹצִיאוּהוּ גוֹיִם אוֹ רוּחַ רָעָה, אֵין לוֹ אֶלָּא אַרְבַּע אַמּוֹת. הֶחֱזִירוּהוּ …
Half-Baked Arguments Eruvin 81 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 29th, 2020
Half-Baked Arguments וּפְרוּסָה מַאי טַעְמָא לָא? אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹסֵי בֶּן שָׁאוּל אָמַר רַבִּי: מִשּׁוּם אֵיבָה. The Gemara analyzes Rabbi Yehoshua’s position itself: And with regard to a broken loaf of bread, what is the reason that it may not be used for an eiruv? Rabbi Yosei ben Shaul said that Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi said: The reason is due to potential enmity bet …
Hard Times, Good Men Sanhedrin 20 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
January 6th, 2025
Our Gemara offers a homiletic analysis of the verse in Mishlei (31:30): "Grace is false, beauty is transient and empty; but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised." At its most straightforward level, this verse teaches us not to be overly captivated by external charm or physical beauty, as they are fleeting and superficial. Instead, it is inner character, particularly the fear of God, that is praiseworthy and enduring. The verse disting …
Hashanah 2 Get Off Your Phone and Go Outside Psychology of the Daf Yomi Rosh
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 10th, 2021
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph and Beis discuss the concept of וְיוֹם אֶחָד בַּשָּׁנָה חָשׁוּב שָׁנָה one day of the year counts as a whole year. For example, the year for counting the reign of kings begins in Nissan. Thus, a king who was coronated on the last day of Adar, will already be starting his second year the next day, on day One Nissan. However, the phrase יוֹם אֶחָד בַּשָּׁנָה חָש …
Hashanah 5 Gift and Make Up Psychology of the Daf Yomi Rosh
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 13th, 2021
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the concept that regular sacrifices, be they sin-offerings or voluntary offerings, are under the category of asking God for acceptance or appeasement, unlike a first-born sacrifice, which is inherent and pre-dedicated. There is a subtle difference in language between Rashi and Tosafos, which I believe speaks of a philosophical disagreement. Rashi explains the idea of sacrifices to achieve appeasement or acceptanc …
Hashanah 4 Is Altruism “All-True”? Psychology of the Daf Yomi Rosh
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 12th, 2021
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph leads with a well known dictum: If one gives charity, saying: I give this sela for charity in order that my children may live, or: I give it in order that through it I may merit life in the World-to-Come, he is still considered a full-fledged righteous person. The Gemara also draws a distinction between a Gentile and A Jew: This only applies to a Jewish person. Because even if his condition is not fulfilled, he w …
Have a Heart! Eruvin 57 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 2nd, 2020
מַתְנִי׳ אֵין מוֹדְדִין אֶלָּא בְּחֶבֶל שֶׁל חֲמִשִּׁים אַמָּה, לֹא פָּחוֹת וְלֹא יוֹתֵר. וְלֹא יִמְדּוֹד אֶלָּא כְּנֶגֶד לִבּוֹ. MISHNA: One may measure a Shabbat limit only with a rope fifty cubits long, no less and no more, as will be explained in the Gemara. And one may measure the limit only at the level of one’s heart, …
Having a Right Does Not Always Make You Right Sanhedrin 18 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
January 3rd, 2025
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses legal exemptions from the obligation to return lost items, focusing on situations where retrieval of the object would conflict with the dignity of the finder: “You shall not see your brother’s ox or his sheep wandering and ignore them; you shall return them to your brother” (Deuteronomy 22:1). The use of the unusual phrase “and ignore them,” rather than a more direct “do not ig …
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 …
He Made Me Do It is Not an Excuse Bava Kamma 6 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 8th, 2023
The Gemara on Amud Aleph and Bais delves into a complex lomdishe discussion regarding various forms of damages and factors that influence leniency or stringency. For instance, fire, as a damaging force, also has wind mixed into it, which can propel the fire into another person's property. In contrast, a pit solely causes damage by the fall itself. In a separate scenario, the Gemara addresses the case of someone who directed their sewage pipe into …
He Sees The Moment Bava Metzia 78 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 16th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the idea that certain funds are dedicated for one purpose and cannot be transferred to another purpose, no matter how noble. Thus, charitable funds donated for the indigent to use for the festive Purim meal cannot be used for other charitable needs. (The actual Halacha is subject to discussion and qualification, see Shulchan Aruch OC 694:2) Chavos Yair (responsum 232) rules that if a person gave some …
He Who Lives by the Sword Pesachim 28 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 18th, 2020
The Gemara discusses a scenario where Rabbi Yehuda was proven wrong, using his own logic against him. The Gemara then quotes three aphorisms, used by people to describe this kind of situation: Rav Yosef said: This is as people say: In the spoon that the carpenter made, the mustard will burn his palate. In other words, one can be harmed by his own actions. Similarly, in this case the strongest proof against Rabbi Yehuda’s opinion is the one …
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 …
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: …
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 …
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 …
Heavenly Consultation Pesachim 33 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 24th, 2020
The Gemara paraphrases a verse from the Book of Daniel (4:14), which the Gemara refers to as G-d’s angels meaning the council of angels, sages. On this same verse, the Gemara is Sanhedrin (38b) says as follows: Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: At the time that the Holy One, Blessed be He, sought to create a person, He created one group of ministering angels. He said to them: If you agree, let us fashion a person in our image. אמ …
Heir Conditioner Eruvin 70 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 18th, 2020
אוֹ דִּלְמָא: יוֹרֵשׁ כַּרְעֵיהּ דַּאֲבוּהּ הוּא? Or perhaps an heir is like his father’s foot, i.e., he is considered an extension of his father and substitutes for him in all regards, which means that just as his father could have renounced his rights, so can he. Yismach Moshe Pinchas 10 יפקוד ה' וגו' איש על העדה וגו' (במדבר כז טז). במדרש (במ"ר פכ"א …
Herbal Fertility Potion Eruvin 28 Psychology of the Daf Rabbi Simcha Feuerman LCSW-R, DHL
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 6th, 2020
וּבְגוּדְגְּדָנִיּוֹת מִי מְעָרְבִין? וְהָתַנְיָא: גּוּדְגְּדָנִיּוֹת — מְרוּבֵּי בָנִים יֹאכֵלוּ, חֲשׂוּכֵי בָנִים לֹא יֹאכֵלוּ. וְאִם הוּקְשׁוּ לְזֶרַע — אַף מְרוּבֵּי בָּנִים לֹא יֹאכֵלוּ! The Gemara asks: But may one establish an eiruv with sweet clover? Was …
Heresy and Bull Stories Bava Kamma 34 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 6th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the liabilities and after effects from an ox that gores another ox and injures it. The Gemara says that the owner of the damaging ox is liable for further deterioration in health and value of the ox. This is because the owner of the injured ox can claim, “The horn of your ox is still buried in my ox”. That is to say, the effects of the original attack continue. Bereishis Rabbah (2:4) states that Gree …
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 …
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 …
Hide not your talents, they for use were made, What's a sundial in the shade? Pesachim 4
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 25th, 2020
The Gemara relates: A certain man would regularly say whenever involved in conflict: Adjudicate my case [dunu dini]. The Sages said: Learn from it that he descends from the tribe of Dan, as it is written: “Dan will judge [yadin] his people like one of the tribes of Israel” (Genesis 49:16). He expressed himself that way due to his lineage. The Gemara relates a similar incident: A certain man would regularly walk and say: The bushes on …
High Fidelity Kiddushin 6 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 18th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph raises a question about a grouping of similar items in a beraisa. There are six cases in total, and they are mostly similar. Yet, interestingly, they are divided into two sets of three cases: תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: ״הֲרֵי אַתְּ אִשְׁתִּי״, ״הֲרֵי אַתְּ אֲרוּסָתִי״, ״הֲרֵי אַתְּ קְנוּיָה לִי״ – מְקוּדֶּשֶׁת. ״הֲרֵי אַ …
Higher Standards Nazir 40 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 3rd, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes several verses in the Torah that serve as the source for the prohibition against shaving one’s beard with a razor, or possibly in a razor like fashion, depending on how it is interpreted by various poskim. There are two sets of verses that discuss prohibition, one having to do specifically with the Cohanim, and the other applied to all Jews. Halakhically, there is no distinction and our Gemara uses the t …
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 …
History, or His Story? Nedarim 62 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 26th, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us a harrowing story about Rabbi Tarfon, and how he was mistaken for a thief. In the end, he was released, but only because his captor found out he was the revered Rabbi Tarfon. This itself caused Rabbi Tarfon distress because he derived personal benefit from the crown of the Torah: רַבִּי טַרְפוֹן אַשְׁכְּחֵיהּ הָהוּא גַּבְרָא בִּזְמַן שֶׁהוּקְפְּלוּ ה …
Hitting Bottom Bava Metzia 61 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 26th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses textual and theological parallels between the prohibition of charging interest, the commandment of wearing Tzitzis and maintaining honest weights and measures in commerce. Rava says: Why do I need the mention of the exodus from Egypt that the Merciful One wrote in the context of the halachos of the prohibition against interest (see Leviticus 25:37–38), and the mention of the exodus from Egypt w …
Hitting Bottom Kesuvos 85 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 9th, 2022
Humans constantly bargain with forces of nature and truths that aren’t really interested or responsive to our bids. A colleague of mine, Dr. Norman Blumenthal has famously remarked, “People do not come to me for change. Instead they are (falsely) hoping that I can help them find a trick to alleviate the difficulties without having to change a darn thing.” Our Gemara on Amud Aleph described the act of rowing as “mimlach mel …
Hitting Rock Bottom Bava Basra 121 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 20th, 2024
Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses one of the reasons why the 15th of Av became a traditional day of rejoicing, drawing from the experience of the Jews in the wilderness. After the sin of the spies, it was decreed that the entire generation would wander for 40 years and die out before entering the land of Israel. Eichah Rabbah (Pesicha) offers a poignant description of how the 15th of Av marked a turning point in their fate: Rabbi Avin and …
Hitting Rock Bottom Nazir 37 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 1st, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes a verse in Vayikra (6:20) that uses a strange language, “Anything that touches the flesh of the sacrifice shall become consecrated.” It’s a difficult verse to understand. Is holiness somehow contagious? Our Gemara interprets it as referring to the principle that absorption of an essence affects the object to an extent that it takes on the prohibition of that which it absorbed. Noam Elimelech …
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 …
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 …
Holy Cow, that’s A lot of Suffering Bava Metzia 85 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 23rd, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud aleph describes the intense years of gut pain that Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi experienced. The Gemara attributes his suffering to an incident where he was not merciful toward a calf. His suffering only abated, years later, when he spontaneously showed kindness toward weasels that were being harassed by his housekeeper: There was a certain calf that was being led to slaughter. The calf went and hung its head on the corner of Rab …
Holy Inappropriate Chaggigah 5 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 13th, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the concept that God hears and judges all our speech. This includes even talk between husband and wife when they are intimate. This would imply that it is considered a lack of modesty and decorum to engage in conversation prior and during marital relations. To this, the Gemara raises an objection based on an incident that occurred which showed that the great Amora and Rosh Yeshiva, Rav, engaged in levity and laug …
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 …
Holy Rollers Eruvin 98 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 15th, 2020
This Gemara describes a predicament of someone who was reading from a scroll on a roof and one end dropped out of his hand and fell over the edge. Without getting deep into the halakhic issues involved I want to take a moment to focus on the function and history of a Sefer or a scroll. In colloquial Hebrew we translate Sefer to mean book. As we recited recently during the High High Holidays: וְתִפְתַּח אֶת סֵפֶר הַזִּכְר …
Home Team Advantage Myth or Reality? Eruvin 61 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 9th, 2020
כִּי אֲתָא רַב דִּימִי אָמַר: טַטְרוֹגֵי מְטַטְרְגִי לְהוּ בְּנֵי גָדֵר לִבְנֵי חַמָּתָן, וּמַאי ״הִתִּיר״ — הִתְקִין. The Gemara relates that when Rav Dimi came from Eretz Yisrael to Babylonia, he said: This ruling was issued not due to their respective Shabbat limits, but rather because the residents of Geder would assault [metatreg] …
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 …
Honest Debate?? Eruvin 51 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 1st, 2020
לָא הִיא, לָא תְּנָא לֵיהּ כְּרַבִּי יוֹסֵי, אֶלָּא כִּי הֵיכִי דְּלִיקַבֵּל לַהּ מִינֵּיהּ, מִשּׁוּם דְּרַבִּי יוֹסֵי נִימּוּקוֹ עִמּוֹ. The Gemara comments: But it is not so; that is not the opinion of Rabbi Yosei. Rabba only taught it as if it is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yosei so that Rav Yosef would accept …
Honest Intentions and Responsible Actions Kesuvos 86 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 30th, 2022
Are honest intentions the same as honesty? If a person fully commits to something but later is unable to fulfill his pledge due to an unforeseen and legitimate change in circumstance, is that considered dishonest? Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses the idea of perias baal chov mitzvah, that there is a specific Torah directive to repay a loan. But what is the scriptural source? Rashi uses the derasha found in Bava Metzi’a (49a): …
Honest to God Kesuvos 87 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 30th, 2022
When a person rationalizes his sins, the personal dishonesty might causes additional distortion beyond the original sins, with even more toxic effects. Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes a verse (Devarim 19:15) that is used to describe the powers and limitations of a singe witness versus a pair: לֹֽא־יָקוּם֩ עֵ֨ד אֶחָ֜ד בְּאִ֗ישׁ לְכׇל־עָוֺן֙ וּלְכׇל־חַטָּ֔את בְּכׇל־חֵ֖טְא …
Honesty and Ambivalence in Religion
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 9th, 2019
Religious Therapists are obliged to be aware of what they are feeling and what they are seeing. What makes an effective clinician, is the one who is able to sense internal conflict, cognitive dissonance, and internal realities and external reality. In short, as we pray for every morning דובר אמת בלבבו to speak truth within our hearts. As religious Therapists, at times, we cannot help but notice conflict between c …
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 …
Honorary Member of the Tribe Bava Basra 118 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 19th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the phenomenon of ayin hara (the evil eye) and how the tribe of Yosef had a special immunity from it. The Gemara explains: "We are of the descendants of Joseph, upon whom the evil eye had no dominion, as it is written: 'Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine by a fountain [alei ayin]' (Bereishis 49:22), and Rabbi Abbahu states a homiletic interpretation: Do not read it as alei ayin; rather, read it as …
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, …
How Bad is it to Embarrass Someone? Sotah 10 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 5th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis warns of the severity of causing another person public humiliation, to the extent that he or she would turn white: מַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן חֲסִידָא, וְאָמְרִי לָהּ אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחַי: נוֹחַ לוֹ לָאָדָם שֶׁיַּפִּיל עַצְמוֹ לְתוֹךְ כִּבְשַׁן ה …
How Dishonest is Dishonest? Bava Basra 82 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 15th, 2024
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 …
How Important is Positive Self-Talk? Nazir 57 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 21st, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis records a statement made in frustration by Rav Adda bar Ahava that ended up as a curse against the children of Rav Huna. The words of a sage are so powerful, that even when not fully intended, they have an effect. This idea that words affect reality is a highly regarded principle mentioned dozens of times in the Gemara. Sanhedrin (102a) characterizes it as a covenant between one’s lips and God. Sefer HaChinuch …
How Much Checking Do You Need to Do? Kesuvos 58 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 27th, 2022
One of the opportunities and challenges of Shidduchim is doing adequate and proper research. The cliche and much maligned question of whether the family uses a plastic tablecloth on Shabbos, is not merely urban legend. Whether or not that’s your burning question, it behooves us to discuss what level of research is necessary. Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses whether the “checking out” that relatives do is sufficient enough so as …
How the Vest Was Won Sotah 40 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 8th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph explains a dress code for the Cohanim when they go up to bless the congregation: דְּאֵין הַכֹּהֲנִים רַשָּׁאִין לַעֲלוֹת בְּסַנְדְּלֵיהֶן לַדּוּכָן. וְזֶהוּ אַחַת מִתֵּשַׁע תַּקָּנוֹת שֶׁהִתְקִין רַבָּן יוֹחָנָן בֶּן זַכַּאי …שֶׁמָּא נִפְסְקָה לוֹ רְצוּעָה בְּ …
How to Avoid Misinterpretations in Communication Bava Kamma 33 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 5th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph describes the liabilities of an employer whose worker enters his property to collect payments and is bit by his dog. The question of liability revolves around a misunderstanding of the word, “Yes”. Did it mean, “Yes, enter”, or “Yes, I acknowledge your presence at the gate and I will come to greet you.” Regardless of the halakhic outcome, the worker who assumed the homeowner meant, &ldq …
How to Benefit in This World and the Next Bava Basra 125 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 28th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a halachic aspect of the inheritance process. Specifically, the double portion granted to a firstborn applies only to property that is in actual possession, as opposed to funds that are due, such as an unpaid loan. The Noam Elimelech (Sefer Shemos, Shemos 5) uses this concept to address an age-old theological question: why do some righteous individuals seem to suffer greatly in this world, while others prosper in …
How to Get Paid Faster Kiddushin 48 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 29th, 2023
Our Gemara on amud Aleph and Beis discusses how we view the obligation to pay a worker’s wages, and how it would affect a betrothal that was done via an agreement for the groom to perform a task as the exchange of an object of value: תַנְיָא: ״עֲשֵׂה לִי שִׁירִים נְזָמִים וְטַבָּעוֹת, וְאֶקַּדֵּשׁ אֲנִי לָךְ״, כֵּיוָן שֶׁעֲשָׂאָן – מְקוּדֶּשׁ …
How to Influence People Even if You Don’t Make Friends Pesachim 30 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 21st, 2020
The Gemara discusses the principle of כבולעו כך פולטו which means that in order to remove non-kosher food essences that become absorbed inside utensils, one must subject them to the same conditions under which they were absorbed. For example if a utensil absorbed food essence in boiling water then it needs to be koshered in boiling water. Or, if a utensil absorbed food essence by exposure to direct flame, it needs to be koshered in t …
How to Study Contradictions Bava Basra 104 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 7th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses how to resolve discrepancies in the statements of a seller, where the seller’s first clause indicates approximation, and the second clause indicates specificity, or vice versa. For example, if the seller says to the buyer: “I am selling you a plot of land of a certain size measured precisely with a rope more or less”, thereby attaching to the sale two contradictory stipulations. Or if the seller …
How to Talk to Yourself About the Latest Shocking Story of Sexual Abuse
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 19th, 2021
I am writing about recent troubling sexual abuse allegations about a beloved and famous Jewish children's author. There are newspaper articles quoting women who came forward claiming they were sexually abused and molested by him as young teenagers. I don't want you to look up his name because I don't want to be the cause of you finding out more information about a person whose guilt has not been halakhically verified. It is not my pla …
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 …
Human Dignity without God leads to Immorality Bava Basra 155 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 27th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a legal monetary dispute that could potentially be resolved via evidence gained by exhuming a corpse. The Gemara has to weigh the needs of justice versus the prohibition to disgrace a corpse. The Gemara takes it as a given that disinterment is a forbidden desecration of the human body. The Gilyonei Hashas suggests it fits under the category of halanas hames, the prohibition against leaving a body unburied. …
Human Potential Sotah 46 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 14th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph laments the loss of potential in the wake of a seemingly random, senseless murder. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן בֶּן שָׁאוּל מִפְּנֵי מָה אָמְרָה תּוֹרָה הָבֵיא עֶגְלָה בְּנַחַל אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא יָבֹא דָּבָר שֶׁלֹּא עָשָׂה פֵּירוֹת וְיֵעָרֵף בִּמְקוֹם שֶׁ …
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 …
Humility or Lack of vulnerability? Bava Metzia 67 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 26th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a practice that was technically not usury, but the Talmud ruled that rabbis should abstain from it nonetheless, because they should behave according to a higher standard. The Gemara records that Ravina did not abstain from this practice and stuck with the letter of the law. Tosafos (ibid) wonders about this, and Rabbenu Tam suggests that thiswas due to Ravina’s humility in that he did not want to portray hi …
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 …
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 …
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 …
I Forgive You, but Do I Really? Yevamos 72 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 18th, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us that the reason why the Jews did not merit the healing north wind during the wilderness was that they were “censured”. What sin caused that state? Rashi says it was due to the sin of the Golden Calf. However Tosafos argues and says that they Jews were forgiven for that sin, as it states “I forgive them”, and the Mishkan was constructed and Hashem had the Shekhina dwell there. Tosafos …
I Got You This Far, Didn’t I? Bava Metzia 79 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 17th, 2024
Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses various scenarios and liabilities incurred where a hired porter or wagon breaks down mid trip. Even if the wares did not reach the desired and contracted destination, if at the current location they can be sold too, albeit inconveniently, or if after a day he can hire another transport for the remainder of the journey, the person must still pay the fare for the trip up to this point. The claim of the …
I See Your Point, But I Hear Your Idea Nedarim 7 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 1st, 2022
Seeing and hearing are often metaphors for understanding. Is there a difference in the Hebrew language when sight is used, versus hearing, to connote perception and knowledge of events? Our Gemara on Amud Beis reflects on the danger of incurring the wrath and disapproval of the Sages. וְתַנְיָא: כׇּל מָקוֹם שֶׁ״נָּתְנוּ חֲכָמִים עֵינֵיהֶם״, אוֹ מִיתָה אוֹ עוֹנִי It is …
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 …
If the Shoe Fits, then Do the Mitzvah Yevamos 18 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 25th, 2022
Our Gemara on this Amud discusses numerous circumstances of chalitzah must be chosen over Yibum. A fundamental question that has been discussed by poskim is if Chalitzah is it’s own Mitzvah, somehow a fulfillment of Yibum, or is it more comparable to the “Mitzvah” of Jewish divorce. That is to say, when one is in a situation that requires a dissolution of the marriage, it is a Mitzvah to perform it properly with a Get. In lomdis …
If We Desire Respect For The Law, We First Must Make More Respectable Eruvin 91 Psych of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 8th, 2020
If We Desire Respect For The Law, We First Must Make More Respectable - Louis Brandeis אָמְרוּ לוֹ: אֵין שְׁעַת הַסַּכָּנָה רְאָיָה. The Sages said to him: The halakha cannot be determined from that incident, as an incident occurring during a time of danger is no proof. At a time of danger it is permitted to carry even in places where carrying is ordinarily prohibited by rabbinic law. One can see in the …
If You Believe That You Can Damage, Then Believe That You Can Fix Kiddushin 35 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 17th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the halakhic significance of female facial hair if it is considered like a beard. The matter is relevant regarding whether the laws of leprosy of the beard will apply to this area or the laws of skin leprosy, which have different criteria. The Gemara seems to consider the possibility that even though the verse explicitly includes female facial hair as part of the beard leprosy (Vayikra 13:29, "A man or woman who …
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 …
If you only pray when you’re in trouble, you’re in trouble Eruvin 65 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 9th, 2020
אָמַר רַב חִיָּיא בַּר אָשֵׁי אָמַר רַב: כֹּל שֶׁאֵין דַּעְתּוֹ מְיוּשֶּׁבֶת עָלָיו אַל יִתְפַּלֵּל, מִשּׁוּם שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״בְּצָר אַל יוֹרֶה״. רַבִּי חֲנִינָא בְּיוֹמָא דְּרָתַח לָא מְצַלֵּי, אָמַר: ״בְּצָר אַל יוֹרֶה״ כְּתִיב. מָר עוּקְבָא …
If You See Something, Say Something Bava Metzia 51 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 19th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us an anecdote where Rami Bar Chamah noticed that his landlord appeared sad. He inquired of him, and ended up hearing about a mistake he made in business, and was able to offer him halachic guidance. Noticing that a person is sad is an important factor in emotional intelligence. Being attuned enough to notice a person’s face or other subtle expressions allows for important opportunities to assist a pers …
Immersed in a State of Fear Kesuvos 72 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 16th, 2022
Our Gemara and Mishna on Amud Aleph discusses certain breaches in the marriage that forfeits the woman’s right to her kesuba. One of these breaches are if the woman falsely pretended to not be a niddah, when in fact she was, leading to them having relations during a forbidden time. This phenomenon happens more often than people would like to believe. I have no statistics, but having the privilege of working with couples for 28 y …
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 …
Impatient Husbands and Niddah Eruvin 21 Psychology of the Daf Rabbi Simcha Feuerman LCSW-R, DHL
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 29th, 2020
״וְעַל פְּתָחֵינוּ כׇּל מְגָדִים״ — אֵלּוּ בְּנוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁמַּגִּידוֹת פִּתְחֵיהֶן לְבַעֲלֵיהֶן. לָשׁוֹן אַחֵר: שֶׁאוֹגְדוֹת פִּתְחֵיהֶן לְבַעֲלֵיהֶן. “And at our doors [petaḥeinu] are all manner of choice fruits [megadim],” these are the daughters of Israel who inform [maggidot] …
Impotent Rage Yevamos 53 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 21st, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Beis struggles to come up with a scenario whereby a man can be considered “forced” to engage in sexual intercourse. The sages aptly observed, there is no erection of the male organ without intent. Meaning to say, though a person might be externally coerced into sexual intecourse by some kind of threat, the actual action must be with some degree of will, as otherwise how can he become erect? (The Gemara ultimat …
In Depth Study, by Any Means Bava Basra 129 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 1st, 2024
Our Gemara on amud beis discusses a conceptual difference between something that is gifted versus bequeathed: If a person on his deathbed said: My property is given to you, and after you to so-and-so, and the first recipient was fit to inherit from him, the second gets nothing in place of the first. That is, he does not receive the property after the first one dies, as this formulation employed by the owner was not one of a gift, but a for …
In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, clarity Pesachim 15 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 6th, 2020
In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, clarity. Rupertus Meldenius However, how will we burn teruma in abeyance, whose impurity status is uncertain, together with ritually impure teruma? Perhaps Elijah the Prophet will come and establish prophetically that the teruma is not ritually impure, and he will render it ritually pure. The legal status of teruma in abeyance is uncertain. How can one actively render it impure when …
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 …
In Order to Perform a More Perfect Union Kesuvos 48 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 23rd, 2022
Warning: This posting contains sexually explicit content relating to the mitvah of marital relations Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the obligation for a husband (and wife — see Ritva) to not hold back from skin to skin direct contact during marital relations out of a sense of false modesty. The psychological benefits of skin to skin contact on mood regulation and the release of the oxytocin binding hormone has been scientifi …
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 …
In-Sight Kesuvos 108 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 16th, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Beis uses an interesting phrase to describe Rabbi Gamliel’s approval of the opinion of another Tanna, named Admon: רוֹאֶה אֲנִי אֶת דִּבְרֵי אַדְמוֹן I “see” the words of Admon. Clearly, the word “see” in this context means more than physical sight. It means seeing with the mind’s eye and heart, seeing the idea from the inside out. Ramb …
In the Dark About This One Psychology of the Daf Yomi Beitzah 26
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 24th, 2021
Our Gemara on Amud Beis refers to an Amora who they considered to have an unreliable memory and confused the Mishnayos and beraisos he quoted. It is interesting that he was regarded with some degree of deference as a sage, despite this major shortcoming. There is no explanation in the commentaries aside from brief statements by Rashi and Shita Mekubetzes who seem to confirm that he was a respected Sage who confused his teachings, and was oddly to …
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 …
In the Quest for Truth, We Show No Favoritism Yevamos 82 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 27th, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph uses a strange phrase, הא דרב אשי בדותא היא, which translates approximately as, “We must conclude that this teaching of Rav Ashi was mistaken.” The word בדותא translates into English with less contempt than the connotation In Hebrew. It is more than mistaken. It implies something made up without any basis (see Ran Nedarim 3a, “elah”, and Melachim 1:12:33.) It is difficult to un …
In Vino Veritas Bava Basra 96 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 29th, 2024
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 …
Inconvenient Truths Bava Metzia 58 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 26th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Beis gives examples of hurtful speech that taunts and belittles: If one is a penitent, another may not say to him: Remember your earlier deeds. If one is the child of converts, another may not say to him: Remember the deeds of your ancestors. If one is a convert and he came to study Torah, one may not say to him: Does the mouth that ate unslaughtered carcasses and repugnant creatures, and creeping animals, comes to study …
Independence versus Interdependence Kesuvos 96 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 9th, 2022
Even though it is not good to be a burden on others, in close relationships, being able to receive kindness and service is a part of the relationship. People want to feel needed and want to have the opportunity to give to those whom they love or regard. Sometimes, resistance to love and intimacy hides behind false piety. It can be a kindness to also accept, not just to give. Our Gemara on amud aleph tells us: אָמַר ר …
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 …
Inherited Difficulties Kesuvos 90 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 4th, 2022
Inheritances are serious business and no parents want their children to squabble about their yerusha. Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the institution of Kesubas Benin Dichrin, which is a rabbinic enactment designed to protect the mother’s familial assets. The rabbis established a rule that the woman’s kesuba and accompanying Nedunya (dowry) shall go to her sons, and not any step brothers should the husband remarry. There …
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 …
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 …
Inside or Outside? Bava Metzia 18 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 17th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Beis describes a rabbi’s quest for the correct halakha as “Nafak, Dak, Ve-ashkach - He went out, examined it, and discovered.”How does one “go out” and discover a thought? Is this not something that should be discovered by an inward journey? Tosafos Yom Tov (2:9) says it refers to an intellectual journey. Midrash Shmuel (ibid) suggests it is a going out, because it is a letting go of a …
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 …
Intellectual Differences Between Men and Women Kiddushin 80 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 1st, 2023
In our Gemara on Amud Beis, there's a discussion regarding the vulnerabilities of women compared to men: גְּמָ׳ מַאי טַעְמָא? תְּנָא דְּבֵי אֵלִיָּהוּ: הוֹאִיל וְנָשִׁים דַּעְתָּן קַלּוֹת עֲלֵיהֶן. What is the reason that a man may not be secluded with two women, but a woman may be secluded with two men? The school of Eliyahu taught: Women are of light mind. The phrase …
Intellectual Greatness vs. Spiritual Greatness Yevamos 79 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 25th, 2022
The Gemara on Amud Aleph explains why Dovid Hamelech could not offer a reparation to the descendants of Shaul by making a proper but belated eulogy. “It is not the custom to make a eulogy after twelve months.” Why is it not the custom to do this? Rashi references a Gemara in Moed Kattan (21b) which is not referring only to eulogy, but in general we do not say Hamakom Yenachem after twelve months, because the person is already past the …
Intellectualized Defenses Pesachim 23 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 14th, 2020
The Gemara mentions a principle used in derashos known as אין ריבוי אחר ריבוי אלא למעט, one amplificatory expression after another is restrictive. Meaning, when the Torah includes an application of a law in one situation, and then in another verse includes it in another situation, it is deduced that in all other situations the law does not apply. The logic for this is that otherwise, if the law was only stated in one case, …
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 …
Internal and External Battles Bava Basra 85 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 18th, 2024
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 …
Intimacy is not just Sexuality Eruvin 63 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 9th, 2020
אָמַר רַב בְּרוֹנָא אָמַר רַב: כׇּל הַיָּשֵׁן בְּקִילְעָא שֶׁאִישׁ וְאִשְׁתּוֹ שְׁרוּיִין בָּהּ, — עָלָיו הַכָּתוּב אוֹמֵר: ״נְשֵׁי עַמִּי תְּגָרְשׁוּן מִבֵּית תַּעֲנוּגֶיהָ״. With regard to the neglect of the commandment of procreation, Rav Beruna said that Rav said: Whoever sleeps in …
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 …
Intuitive Truth Versus Logical Truth Gittin 14 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 30th, 2023
Our gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a certain law as “a halakha without a reason”. The Aramaic word used is, “Hilkhesa”, which is also used to mean a Halakha LeMoshe Misinai, an oral legal tradition that is part of an ancient chain of teachings, even stemming back to Moshe. It is notable that Rashi understands this use of the word “Hilkhesa” to literally mean Halakha LeMoshe Misinai. Rashi’s explanat …
Irrational Parental Requests Kesuvos 40 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 15th, 2022
What is the extent and nature of the commandment to honor parents? Is it to honor requests of substance that bring them benefit, as enumerated by Gemara Kiddushin (31b, quoted below), or is it even to honor their requests that have no concrete benefit? In other words, if your father or mother ask you to pour them a glass of tea, this is honoring their request and brings them a concrete benefit. But what about if one’s parents say, “Do …
Is a Rabbinic Derasha the Same as Torah Law? Sotah 16 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 9th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph describes a certain rabbinic derasha about Metzora as “Miderabanan”. This is an odd text because usually the term Midreabanan refers to laws that are rabbinic additions, not laws derived from derashos. The obvious difference being that something derived from a derasha has the force of a Torah law, and not subject to certain leniencies, such as physical duress, or following the lenient opinion when in doubt.&nb …
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 …
Is Good Stronger than Evil? Sotah 11 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 9th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us that not only does God punish measure for measure, but God also rewards measure for measure. Additionally, the reward is much more than just an equal measure, because the Middah of goodness is greater than the Middah of punishment. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רָבָא הָא וְכֵן לְעִנְיַן הַטּוֹבָה קָתָנֵי אֶלָּא אָמַר רָבָא הָכִי קָתָנֵי וְכֵן ל …
Is it Ever OK If Parents Argue? Bava Kamma 25 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 27th, 2023
Our Gemara has on Amud Aleph discusses the source for the principle of Dayo Laba Min Hadin Liyhos Kanidon. Dayo is a limiting principle on the derivation of a Kal Vachomer. A kal v’chomer is the first of the thirteen hermeneutical principles that tradition says we use to understand and derive Torah laws. A kal v’chomer works by making an assumption that if this rule applies to one one situation, surely in a more stringent situation it …
Is It Love, Or Is It Hate? Sotah 9 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 5th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the evil plans that the Serpent had for Adam and Chava, namely to eliminate Adam as his rival. His plan was to incite Chava to eat from the forbidden Tree of Knowledge, which would lead her to giving Adam to eat as well. Adam would die as result, so he can have Chava all to himself. The Maharsha raises the obvious question: If Chava ate from the forbidden tree, would this not also result in her death? …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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
September 22nd, 2024
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 …
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 …
Is “Marrying Up” Good For You? Kiddushin 49 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 1st, 2023
Our Gemara on Daf 48 begins a discussion about a scenario where a woman was betrothed with a specific sum of money or another positive condition, and it turns out that she was given more money, an object of greater value, or a superior condition was met: מַתְנִיָּא: "הִתְקַדְּשִׁי לִי בְּכוֹס זֶה שֶׁל יַיִן" וְנִמְצָא שֶׁל דְּבַשׁ, "שֶׁל דְּבַשׁ" וְנִמְצָא שֶׁ …
Is Mortality a Punishment or a Gift? Kesuvos 43 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 18th, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the principle of Modeh Bekenas Patur. That is, if a defendant admits in court prior to prosecution by witnesses, he is exempt from fines. Such as, the thief who normally would be fined double payment if convicted, can pre-empt this fine by confessing prior to witnesses testifying against him. He then is only obligated to pay the principle and no further punitive damages. Yismach Moshe (Bereishi …
Is Repentance a Precondition for Redemption Bava Basra 117 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 20th, 2024
Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses how the Land of Israel was allocated to the incoming generation of Jews as they completed their wandering of forty years: Rabbi Yoshiya says: Eretz Yisrael was divided among those who left Egypt, as it is stated: “According to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit” (Numbers 26:55), which teaches that the Jewish people would inherit Eretz Yisrael according to the names of …
Is Satan Real? Bava Metzia 94 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 31st, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Beis refers to a scriptural stylistic principle: דִּבְּרָה תוֹרָה כִלְשׁוֹן בְּנֵי אָדָם The Torah uses the idiom and vernacular. Thus, repetitions, exaggerations and figures of speech that enhance the poetic experience and nature of the narrative are theologically legitimate, and not a sign of imperfection. God designed the Torah to be meaningful on many planes of p …
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 …
Is the Torah Always Reasonable? Yevamos 17 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 24th, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the scriptural source for אשת אחיו שלא היה בעולמו. What is אשת אחיו שלא היה בעולמו? Although there are variations, the simple case is that of Reuven who married Rachel, and then dies childless. After Reuven dies, Reuven’s father has another boy (through Reuven’s mother or another wife), Shimon, who is of course Reuven’s brother. Ordinarily Shimon, who is a b …
Is There a Natural Moral Sense? Bava Metzia 8 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 7th, 2024
Our Gemara on amud aleph makes a seemingly contradictory assertion that a deaf mute is lacking in enough intelligence or discernment to acquire possessions. The rabbis enacted a ruling that regardless, they should be allowed to possess objects. This was in order to forestall and protect a vulnerable population (the mentally impaired) from financial abuse. If two people pick up an ownerless object at the same time, they acquire it jointly, e …
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 …
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 …
It Could be Heaven or it Could be Hell Nedarim 54 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 18th, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes medical advice from the Great Amora, Rosh Yeshiva and Physician, Shmuel: אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: נוּן סָמֶךְ עַיִן — נוּנָא סַמָּא לְעֵינַיִם! as Shmuel said an acronym: Nun, samekh, ayin, which stands for: Nuna samma la’einayim, which means: Fish is a medicine for eyes. Maharsha says that the Jews, when they were complaining about the Man, also hinted at …
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
September 27th, 2024
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 …
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 …
It is Darkest Before the Dawn Bava Basra 53 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 16th, 2024
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 …
It is Not Fine at All Kesuvos 38 and 39 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 14th, 2022
It seems to be a staple of modern and ancient law, and even aspects of halacha to enact fines upon perpetrators. Our Gemara on Amud Aleph (see Rashi as well) notes that the institution of fines represent an extra-judicial response that is not about compensation per se, but some form of punishment. According to the Klein Dictionary, the etymology of the word Kenas is Greek. It is related to the word census, which is to count.&nbs …
It’s All About the Mother Nedarim 14 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 8th, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the case of a man who made a vow at his wife, apparently in anger, stating “You shall be as my mother!” He is literally, swearing off having relations with his wife as if she is forbidden to him like mother. The Gemara discusses that technically she is not forbidden, as in order to make an oath, one must refer to a voluntary declaration of sanctity or abstention, such as an item dedicated as a …
It’s Like Deja Vu, All Over Again Bava Metzia 4 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 3rd, 2024
Our Gemara discusses various aspects of a unique kind of oath, known as Gilgul Shevua, which we can roughly translate as “A rolled-on Oath.” When a defendant is obligated to make an oath to defend their claim, the plaintiff has the opportunity to levy additional accusations, compelling the defendant to take oaths on those matters as well. Remarkably, this applies even when the subsequent accusations lack substantial legal basis, …
It's the Thoughts that Count Kesuvos 46 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 21st, 2022
The majority of Torah commandments more often focuses on actions and deeds, not thoughts. Yet there are certain commandments that focus on our thoughts and how we must guard them and shape them. (Chovos Halevavos wrote his Sefer by that name because he felt these mitzvos were ignored.) Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us: ״וְנִשְׁמַרְתָּ מִכֹּל דָּבָר רָע״, מִכָּאן אָמַר רַבִּי פּ …
It’s What is Brought that Counts Eruvin 78 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 26th, 2020
It’s What is Brought that Counts This section of the Gemara discusses a scenario where the ladder or wall giving access was built out of wood from an Asheira Tree. Since an Asheira tree is idolatrous, It is forbidden to derive benefit from the wood. There are many times in the Gemara where this form of idolatry is mentioned. Let us take a closer look to understand the Asheira phenomenon and what was the nature of its prohibition : The first …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Jewish Life Insurance Pesachim 8 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 29th, 2020
As it was taught in a baraita: With regard to a hole in a wall located between the residences of a Jew and a gentile, one searches in the hole as far as his hand reaches, and the rest he renders null and void in his heart. Pelimu said: One does not search the entire hole at all, due to the danger involved. The Gemara asks: Due to what danger? If we say it is due to the danger of sorcery, i.e., the gentile will suspect the Jew of casting spells on …
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 …
Jews Should not Wine About Their Fate Bava Basra 120 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 20th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us about Yocheved, Moshe’s mother, who was born “between the walls” during the transition into Egypt. According to one opinion, her birth completed the missing number in the census, allowing us to reach the 70 souls described in Bereishis 46:27, even though the actual count comes to 69. The Maharal (Gevuros Hashem, Yayin Nesech) explores the significance of the number 70, as well as the fact …
Joseph the Demon Eruvin 43 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 21st, 2020
תָּא שְׁמַע: הָנֵי שָׁב שְׁמַעְתָּא דְּאִיתְאַמְרָן בְּצַפְרָא בְּשַׁבְּתָא קַמֵּיהּ דְּרַב חִסְדָּא בְּסוּרָא, בַּהֲדֵי פַּנְיָא בְּשַׁבְּתָא קַמֵּיהּ דְּרָבָא בְּפוּמְבְּדִיתָא. The Gemara cites another proof: Come and hear a resolution from the incident involving the seven teachings that …
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 …
Journaling to Unburden the Soul Yevamos 25 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 1st, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the famous principle:
אָדָם קָרוֹב אֵצֶל עַצְמוֹ, וְאֵין אָדָם מֵשִׂים עַצְמוֹ רָשָׁע A person is his own relative. Consequently, he may not testify about himself, just as the testimony of any relative is disqualified. And furthermore, a person does not make himself wicked. His testimony with regard to his own actions is inadmissible because he is his ow …
Judaism and the Myth of the Noble Savage Bava Basra 45 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 9th, 2024
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 …
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 …
Jung's Greatest Hits
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 28th, 2019
Carl Jung was a student of Sigmund Freud. Unlike Freud, he had a deep and positive interest in spirituality, religion, and mysticism. His psychological theories were still what we would call psychodynamic, in a sense that they involve understanding the ways that unconscious conflicts affect and determine functional or dysfunctional behavior. However, his understanding of the inner drives and conflicts were more universal and rel …
Just Drop The Burden Pesachim 32 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 23rd, 2020
Our Gemara quotes the same position of Rav Nechunya Ben HaKanah that we discussed earlier on Daf 29. His position is that the concept of קים ליה בדרבה מיניה applies to even chiyuv kares (excision), and not merely a chiyuv misa biydei shamayim (heavenly death decree). To review, קים ליה בדרבה מיניה is the following principle: If someone does a prohibited action that entails both a mortally severe punishment (s …
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 …
Just the Flax, Ma’am Sotah 6 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 4th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis rules that a woman about whom there are strong rumors of infidelity, to the extent that she is the object of a particular kind of gossip, does not drink the Sotah waters: הִיא וְלֹא שֶׁיִּשְׂאוּ וְיִתְּנוּ בָּהּ מוֹזְרוֹת בַּלְּבָנָה The baraisa continues: The next word in the verse, “she [hee],” excludes a third case: But not where she, i.e., her in …
Justified Manipulation Bava Metzia 3 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 1st, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud aleph uncharacteristically asks why the Torah obligates an oath by a person who partially admits, but exempts the person who flat out denies the claim. Usually the Gemara asks the “what”, but not the “why.” For example, a Gilgul Shevua, on the face of it, makes little sense. (An additional oath, levied on the defendant once he already is obligated in a first oath, even if a second claim on the part …
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 …
Keep a Tight Lid on It Chaggigah 25 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 6th, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the concept of Tzamid Pasil, which literally means a tightly sealed cover. The case of Tzamid Pasil is explicit in the Torah, whereby the contents of an earthenware container, (as well as the container itself since earthenware becomes tamey only through its insides), that is wrapped tightly does become tamey when in the dwelling of a corpse. It states in Bamidbar 19:15: וְכֹל֙ כְּלִ֣י פָת֔וּח …
An Empty Vessel Makes a Loud Noise Eruvin 75 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 23rd, 2020
An Empty Vessel Makes a Loud Noise סְתָם גּוֹי, אִי אִיתָא דְּאוֹגַר — מִיפְעָא פָּעֵי. The Gemara answers: This is not so, as a typical gentile, if he had rented out his domain, he would chatter about it, and everyone would know. If he has not talked about it, everyone will assume that he did not rent out his domain. This is an unusual statement, made about 3 times in shas. How is this princi …
×‘×¢× ×™×Ÿ סוד ×”×›×¨×•×‘×™× ×•×¡×•×“ הזיווג
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 25th, 2016
×‘×¢× ×™×Ÿ סוד ×”×›×¨×•×‘×™× ×•×¡×•×“ הזיווג שמחה פוירמן 718 793 1376 simchafeuerman@gmail.com כתוב בעשרת הדברות (שמות ×›:ד): ×´×œÖ¹Ö£Ö½× ×ªÖ½Ö·×¢Ö²×©×‚Ö¶Ö¨×”Ö¾×œÖ°×šÖ¸Ö¥Ö£ פֶ֣֙סֶל֙ ×€ ×•Ö°×›Ö¸×œÖ¾×ªÖ¼Ö°×ž×•Ö¼× Ö¸Ö¡Ö”×” ×ֲש×ֶ֤֣ר בַּש×ָּמַ֣֙יִ×Ö™ ×€ מִמַּ֡֔עַל וַֽ×ֲש×ֶ֥ר֩ בָּ×ָ֖֨רֶץ מִתַָּ֑֜חַת וַ×ֲש×ֶ֥֣ר ×‘Ö¼Ö·×žÖ¼Ö·Ö …
Keyn Nit Tantzen Oif Tzvey Chasunes Yevamos 26 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 2nd, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the circumstances of the Mishna on 25b. A judge who was unable to find grounds to annul a woman’s vows, which led to her getting divorced, may not marry that woman. This is to prevent appearances of improper bias, such as the judge having a secret motive to marry her, thus sabotaging her current marriage.
It is important for judges to maintain the highest standards and be free of suspicion. Yet …
King Sized Desires Bava Basra 100 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 3rd, 2024
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” …
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 …
Knowing Torah by Itself Does Not Do the Trick Nedarim 20 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 14th, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the virtue of shame. This is not pathological self-destructive shame, but rather a sense of place and humility. That is, to recognize how tiny and insignificant we are in comparison to God. Our lives are short and our accomplishments border on pointless, if not for the opportunity to access the infinite and the immortal, by elevating our actions via sacrifice and meaning. To quote the lyricist …
Knowledge Versus Wisdom Kiddushin 51 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 3rd, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses an interlude where a sage, named Bar Ahina, explained to Rava how a certain law is derived from a verse. Apparently, this Bar Ahina had a knack for noticing scriptural derivations as we see in a different Gemara (Sotah 39b) that once again, Bar Ahina helps Rava understand a scriptural derivation. Akeidas Yitschok (65:1) uses this relationship as an object lesson from the dictum, “Who is a wise man? O …
Kosher Pig? Nedarim 58 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 22nd, 2022
Our Gemara on this Daf discusses the halachos of a דבר שיש לו מתירין an item that will eventually become permitted. When such material becomes diluted in a large mixture, many opinions hold that it cannot be nullified. There are different explanations for why this is so, but the simplest being that why rely on a leniency of nullification when anyways it will be permitted? There is a Midrashic tradition that in the Messianic future, …
Lack of Conviction Sanhedrin 2 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 19th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the principle that a Jewish court must be structured to avoid gridlock, which is why it always has an odd number of judges. This principle is used to determine the number of judges in various courts. For example, when the Gemara finds scriptural support for a capital court to consist of at least 22 judges, it is automatically assumed that the court must have 23 judges to prevent a tie. The Oholei Yitschok raises …
Ladies First Eruvin 102 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 19th, 2020
A harp string may be tied up in the Temple but not in the country. At the outset, it is prohibited in both. קוֹשְׁרִין נִימָא בַמִּקְדָּשׁ, אֲבָל לֹא בַמְּדִינָה. אִם בַּתְּחִלָּה, כָּאן וְכָאן אָסוּר. Tosafos Yom Tov in the Mishna notes that according to Rashi, whether it is permitted or not to tie the string of the harp if it breaks on shabbos depe …
Lav at First Sight Kiddushin 21 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 3rd, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis initiates the discussion on the laws of Eishes Yefas Toar, a woman taken captive during war, and the permissibility of marrying her. Given the intense and primal urges that often emerge during the heat of battle, the Torah, rather than tolerating rampant sexual violence in wartime, outlines specific conditions under which a captive woman may be taken as a wife. The Sages taught: Concerning a captive, the verse states: "And …
Law of Attraction Bava Basra 69 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 2nd, 2024
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 …
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 …
Lest the Children Forget about Eiruv Eruvin 46 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 24th, 2020
וְלֹא אָמְרוּ לְעָרֵב חֲצֵירוֹת, אֶלָּא כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא לְשַׁכֵּחַ תּוֹרַת עֵירוּב מִן הַתִּינוֹקוֹת. And they said to establish an eiruv for courtyards only after all the inhabitants of the city merge their alleyways and become like the inhabitants of a single courtyard, so that the law of eiruv should not be forgotten by the children, who may not be awa …
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 …
Letting Go of Control and Inviting God In Bava Basra 106 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 9th, 2024
Our Gemara references the biblical process by which the different portions of the land Israel was allotted to the tribes via a lottery. There is this theological idea that using a lottery can somehow bring out divine intention and messages. Let us try to understand how this might work. There are a number of times where a lottery is used by Biblical figures to tap into divine guidance. For example, Yehoshua used it to help deter …
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 …
Life in the Shadows Pesachim 26 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 17th, 2020
אָמְרוּ עָלָיו עַל רַבָּן יוֹחָנָן בֶּן זַכַּאי שֶׁהָיָה יוֹשֵׁב בְּצִילּוֹ שֶׁל הֵיכָל, וְדוֹרֵשׁ כׇּל הַיּוֹם כּוּלּוֹ. They said about Rabban Yoḥanan ben Zakkai that he would sit in the street adjacent to the Temple Mount in the shade of the Sanctuary and expound to a large number of people all day long. There seems to me to be some …
Lights, Candles and Action Bava Kamma 32 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 4th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis describes how the sages would greet the Shabbos: Rabbi Yannai would wrap himself in his tallis and stand at the eve of Shabbos at twilight, saying: Come, bride; come, bride. Ben Yehoyada comments that the Arizal would recite the greeting three times, corresponding to Chokhma, Bina and Daas. He says this corresponds to the three realms of interaction: Thought, Speech and Action. Since thought is hidden, one of the rec …
Listen To Your Messages Bava Basra 112 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 15th, 2024
Our Gemara on this daf discusses the matter of the daughters of Zelophehad , who brought to Moshe an objection that they should also be allowed to inherit in the Land of Israel, on behalf of their father, who died without male progeny (Bamidbar 27:3-5): Our father died in the wilderness. He was not one of the faction, Korah’s faction, which banded together against Hashem, but died for his own sin; and he has left no sons. Let not our …
Listen Your Way to a Better Intimate Life Kesuvos 36 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 11th, 2022
The great mystics saw God in everything. The more physical something is, the more intensely spiritual potential is locked within it. After all, if God leaves a road sign, it pays to read it carefully. When there is so much physical energy present, it is only the tip of the spiritual iceberg. This is why erotic and sexual imagery is used constantly by the Zohar and other mystical works. It’s much more than a metaphor. …
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 …
Living a Life Sentence Yevamos 50 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 21st, 2022
The Gemara right at the beginning of Amud Aleph records a fundamental dispute between Rabbi Akiva and the sages regarding the allotted years in a person’s lifetime, fate, and the impact of sin and merit in relation to it: אֶת מִסְפַּר יָמֶיךָ אֲמַלֵּא״ — תַּנָּאֵי הִיא, דְּתַנְיָא: ״אֶת מִסְפַּר יָמֶיךָ אֲמַלֵּא״, The resolution of the third co …
Lo Siento Nedarim 11 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 4th, 2022
An area where there is significant correspondence between Torah thought and psychological thought is that of the power of speech. Though coming from different value bases, Torah thought and psychological theory have respect for the organizing ability and impact of speech on attitude, and emotional and spiritual status. The more you learn Nedarim, the more you see that the Torah wants to condition us to treat words as substantive.  …
Location Is Everything Sotah 32 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 30th, 2023
Our gemara on Amud Beis notes that the sin offering (chattas) is sacrificed in the same location: וּגְנוּתוֹ בְּקוֹל רָם וְהָאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחַי מִפְּנֵי מָה תִּקְּנוּ תְּפִלָּה בְּלַחַשׁ כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא לְבַיֵּישׁ אֶת עוֹבְרֵי עֲבֵירָה שֶׁהֲר …
The Lomdishe Sex Abuse Mistakes Eruvin 76 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 23rd, 2020
Lomdus vs. Reality רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר כִּי דַּיָּינֵי דְקֵיסָרִי, וְאָמְרִי לַהּ כְּרַבָּנַן דְקֵיסָרִי, דְּאָמְרִי: עִיגּוּלָא מִגּוֹ רִיבּוּעָא — רִיבְעָא, רִיבּוּעָא מִגּוֹ עִיגּוּלָא — פַּלְגָא. The Gemara answers: Rabbi Yoḥanan spoke in accordance with the opinion of …
Looking at Reincarnation from the Right Angle Yevamos 2 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 9th, 2022
This mesechta discusses the Mitzvah of Yibum and various related topics. The Mitzvah of Yibum is mentioned even before the giving of the Torah, as we see in Yehuda’s directive to his son Onan, to carry on his deceased childless brother’s name, by marrying his wife and having a family. The Ramban (Bereishis 38:7-8) hints that Yibum is based on the concept of reincarnation. While he does not explicitly explain what he means, one might i …
Looking for an Opening Bava Basra 87 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 20th, 2024
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): …
Loopholes or Leap-holes? Pesachim 9 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 30th, 2020
As Rabbi Oshaya said: A person may employ artifice to circumvent obligations incumbent upon him in dealing with his grain, and bring it into the courtyard in its chaff so that his animal may eat from it. And this grain is exempt from tithes. Although the obligation to tithe produce that has been fully processed applies even to animal fodder, it is permitted to feed one’s animal untithed produce that has not been fully processed. In light of …
Loosening Up Kesuvos 65 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 9th, 2022
I want to address a sensitive topic regarding sexual challenges that can affect couples of all ages, especially but not exclusively, the newly married. A person may have a degree of misplaced piety and be overly scrupulous about sexuality, or just plain feel uncomfortable with sexual feelings and sensuality. Sometimes, being overscrupulous in the area of intimacy and halakha can be the result of naiveté and/or anxiety. After all, if a reli …
Losing It
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 13th, 2020
A number of people have emailed me or texted me saying that they're “losing it”. Just losing it! It's really difficult these days -- but what does it mean “losing it”? Psychologically, there is a process to it. Losing it is when your Ego, which is the part of your personality, crumbles and falls apart. It is disorienting. What is the Ego? It is something that you develop as a young child, maybe even …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Love Bombing Sotah 47 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 15th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the way in which arrogant men at first charm women during courtship but eventually disappoint: מִשֶּׁרַבּוּ הַיְּהִירִים הִתְחִילוּ בְּנוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל לְהִנָּשֵׂא לִיהִירִים שֶׁאֵין דּוֹרֵינוּ רוֹאֶה אֶלָּא לַפָּנִים From the time when haughty people proliferated, the daughters of Israel began marrying ha …
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 …
Love Lishmah Yevamos 43 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 19th, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Beis declares: Granted, from a marriage (nusuin), even without a feast, there is joy. But from a betrothal (eirusin) without a feast, is there any joy? It is merely a legal ceremony. The Meshech Chokhma (זאת הברכה י ) compares the two phases of marriage to two phases of relating to Torah. As we know, in regard to Torah and marriage, their is a famous play on words (Pesachim 49b): Moshe commanded us the Torah, an inheri …
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 …
Love or Control? Pesachim 20 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 11th, 2020
The Gemara mentions a concept called Chibas HaKodesh, literally the affection for the holy. In a halakhic sense, normally a food product needs to be willingly exposed to water or certain other liquids before it is deemed receptive to ritual impurity. However, the principle of Chibas HaKodesh bestows a significance upon the sacrificial food and renders it on a level to accept ritual impurity. To explain this more, let us note that vess …
Love Recognizes No Barriers Eruvin 92 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 9th, 2020
“Love Recognizes No Barriers” - Maya Angelou Tosafos (quoted below) points out that a wall of a larger courtyard may be, in certain situations, a barrier for the establishment of a minyan, however in terms of answering amen, Kedusha, Barechu or being yotze Megillah or Shofar we follow the ruling from the Gemara Pesachim 85b: Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: Even a barrier of iron does not separate between the Jewish people and thei …
Love vs Responsibility Kiddushin 2 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 16th, 2023
Our Mishna on Amud Aleph delineates three methods to accomplish betrothal (Kiddushin): Via an exchange of an object of value, via a written contract, or sexual intercourse. As we have remarked numerous times, the paradigm of marriage is used to explain a person’s relationship with God. Rav Yaakov Yosef Mipolnoe understands these three methods of accomplishing marriage as also representing three stages of man’s relationship with God. K …
Loving and Living on Edge of a Sword Sanhedrin 7 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 24th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph relates one of my all-time favorite Talmudic aphorisms: When our love was strong, we could have slept on a bed that was the width of a sword. Now that our love is not strong, a bed of sixty cubits is not big enough for us. The tone of this aphorism is defeated and pessimistic. It seems to reflect the perspective of an older married person who no longer feels the passion that once animated his relationship. However, the Ge …
Loyalty Binds Eruvin 35 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 13th, 2020
מַתְנִי׳ נִתְגַּלְגֵּל חוּץ לַתְּחוּם, נָפַל עָלָיו גַּל אוֹ נִשְׂרַף, תְּרוּמָה וְנִטְמֵאת מִבְּעוֹד יוֹם — אֵינוֹ עֵירוּב. מִשֶּׁחָשֵׁיכָה — הֲרֵי זֶה עֵירוּב. MISHNA: If one’s eiruv rolled beyond the Shabbat limit, and he no longer has access to his eiruv since he may not go beyond his …
Lying King Nedarim 28 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 22nd, 2022
Continuing our discussion regarding oaths under duress, our gemara on amud aleph questions why dodging tax collectors is a valid situation of duress. There is a teaching that דִּינָא דְמַלְכוּתָא דִּינָא The law of the kingdom is the law, i.e., there is a halakhic principle that Jews must obey the laws of the state in which they live. This halakhic rationale and degree to which the law of the secular government is bindin …
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 …
Maid in Heaven Kiddushin 3 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 17th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis uses a verse regarding the Jewish maidservant to derive other forms of enactments that are accomplished via an exchange of an object of value, such as the marriage of a minor through the father’s acceptance: אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: דְּאָמַר קְרָא ״וְיָצְאָה חִנָּם אֵין כָּסֶף״ – אֵין כֶּסֶף לְאָדוֹן זֶה, אֲבָל יֵש …
Maintaining a Good Image Bava Kamma 104 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 14th, 2024
Our Gemara discusses a particular kind of signet, used as an identifier, known as a Dyu-Koni, which seems to consist of some unique emblem or picture. The words Duo-Koni likely comes from the Greek word, icon, and Du is two. So perhaps a double image, or an image on two sides. (Shall we say, Du-Coin, double coin?) The Dyu-Koni is used in many instances particularly to connote a human form. For example, the Targum Yonasan on the verse (Bere …
Maintaining Boundaries Bava Basra 56 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 20th, 2024
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 …
Majority in Halakha: Get the Whole Story Yevamos 27 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 3rd, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the well known Talmudic principle Of רובו ככולו the majority is considered as if it is the complete whole. There are numerous halakhic applications of this principle such as slaughtering most of the animal’s windpipe and foodpipe counts as it being fully cut, or closing most of a walled area as if it is fully closed.
The Chasam Sofer (OC #140) discusses a famous question: If we say tha …
Make Intentional Space for Holiness in Your Life Eruvin 62 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 9th, 2020
וְאָמַר רַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר אַבָּא אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: בֶּן נֹחַ נֶהֱרָג עַל פָּחוֹת מִשָּׁוֶה פְּרוּטָה, וְלֹא נִיתָּן לְהִשָּׁבוֹן. And Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba said that Rabbi Yoḥanan said: A Noahide, i.e., a gentile who stole is executed for his crime, according to the laws applying to Noahides, even if he stole less t …
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 …
Making Lasting Change Yevamos 40 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 16th, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph mentions the well-known principal that the consumption of the sacrifices by the cohanim of somehow effectuates the atonement of the owners of the sacrifice.
The Shalah (Aseres Hadibros maseches Ta’anis Torah Ohr 5:14) explains this idea in a novel manner:
Fasting is a primary form of penitence, whose aims are to repair indulgences that were not appropriate by holding back on pleasure. However, there may …
Making Meaning out of Trauma Eruvin 49 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 27th, 2020
וּכְגוֹן זֶה כּוֹפִין עַל מִדַּת סְדוֹם. In a case such as this, one compels another to refrain from behavior characteristic of Sodom. We force a person to waive his legal rights in order to prevent him from acting in a manner characteristic of the wicked city of Sodom. If one denies another use of his possessions, even though he would incur no loss or damage by granting use of his property, his conduct is …
Male and Female Archetypes Kiddushin 18 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 31st, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis engages in a fundamental debate regarding legal biblical exegesis. In the Tanach, Hebrew words are frequently spelled incompletely, accompanied by an oral tradition dictating their pronunciation. At times, the written and spoken forms yield distinct meanings, particularly with homonyms. The crux of the dispute lies in determining the primary source for deriving halakhic meaning. The Talmud employs an idiom to express this: …
Managing Unacceptable Thoughts by Accepting Bava Basra 49 Psychology of the Daf YomiThem
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 13th, 2024
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 …
Manna, Now Available at Costco in Jumbo Size Nazir 60 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 24th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis records a discussion between Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai and his students: שָׁאֲלוּ תַּלְמִידָיו אֶת רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחַי נָזִיר טָהוֹר וּמְצוֹרָע מַהוּ שֶׁיְּגַלֵּחַ תִּגְלַחַת אַחַת וְעוֹלָה לוֹ לְכָאן וּלְכָאן אָמַר לָהֶן אֵינוֹ מְגַלֵּחַ The students of Rabbi …
Marital Therapy and God Psychology of the Daf Yomi Gittin 79
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 3rd, 2023
Our Mishna Amud Beis discusses a dispute between Beis Shammai and Beis Hillel regarding an “old Get”. An old Get is a Get that was written, but before it was given, the husband and wife were alone together. Beis Hillel is concerned that should they have momentarily reconciled, and then the Get was given sometime later, perhaps she got pregnant in between. If so, it would have the appearance of a child out of wedlock. Therefore, one sh …
Marriage, God, Tablets and Cryptocurrency Bava Metzia 45 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 12th, 2024
Our Gemara on amud beis describes the effectiveness and limits of the method of acquisition used via exchange (kinyan chalifin): Money cannot be the item used to effect a transaction by means of exchange, as that form of transaction is effective only with regard to items such as produce and vessels. Rav Pappa said: What is the reason for the opinion of the one who says that money cannot be the item used to effect a transaction by means of e …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Martyr Matters Eruvin 32 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 10th, 2020
Eruvin 32 בְּמַאי קָמִיפַּלְגִי? רַבִּי סָבַר: נִיחָא לֵיהּ לְחָבֵר דְּלֶעֱבֵיד הוּא אִיסּוּרָא קַלִּילָא וְלָא לֶיעֱבֵד עַם הָאָרֶץ אִיסּוּרָא רַבָּה. וְרַבָּן שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל סָבַר: נִיחָא לֵיהּ לְחָבֵר דְּלֶיעֱבֵד עַם הָאָרֶץ אִיסּו …
Mass Formation Psychosis Bava Metzia 26 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 25th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses social group dynamics. If a coin fell from one of three people, the finder is not obligated to return it. What is the reason? The person from whom the coin fell certainly despairs of recovering it. He says, “After all, two other people were with me. If I seize this one, he will say: I did not take it. And if I seize that one, he will say: I did not take it.” Since he cannot make a definitive cla …
Maternal and Paternal Attachment Kiddushin 79 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 31st, 2023
In our Gemara on Amud Beis, there's an intriguing phrase used to describe young children's attachment to their mother: כרוכים אחריה, which I would translate as "wrapped up with her and following behind her." Rashi here employs a word that literally translates as attached, נדבקין. The Gemara in Shabbos (141b) uses a different idiom to describe paternal attachment: געגועים, which translates as "pinings or longings" and is li …
Megillah 20 Affirmative Action Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 31st, 2021
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph records a dispute between Rabbi Meir and Rabbi Yehuda if one can fulfill the “recitation” of Shema merely by thinking the words. Rabbi Yehuda in the name of Rabbi Elazar ben Azariah says, no, as the operative word in the Shema is, after all, to listen. Thus, one must say the words loudly enough to hear them. Rabbi Meir holds since the Shema credo indicates that “these words shall be on your heart”, …
Megillah 11 Satan Laughing with Delight Psychology & the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 22nd, 2021
Our Gemara on Amud Beis uses an evocative phrase, “the Satan danced between them.” In our Gemara it is used to refer to what transpired subsequent to Achashveirosh assuming the Jewish prophecy of return had not been fulfilled. He celebrated and used the utensils from the Beis Hamikdash. The Gemara tells us, Satan came and danced between them, and vashti was killed. It is an interesting choice of words, “Satan danced”. It c …
Megillah 16 Confirmation Bias Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 27th, 2021
Our Gemara tells us that how Haman reacted when Ahasuerus ordered him to fulfill his idea of the proper way to honor one who the king desires to glorify by parading him around on the king’s horse while wearing the royal garments: “And do so to Mordecai the Jew who sits at the king’s gate, let nothing fail of all that you have spoken” (Esther 6:10). The Gemara explains that when Ahasuerus said to Haman: “And do so to …
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 …
Megillah 15 Did Haman Have Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder? Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 26th, 2021
Our Gemara on Amud Beis, based on a verse in the Megillah, tells us that Haman felt no satisfaction in all his wealth and success so long as Mordechai remained defiant and would not bow. This is a common psychological distortion and error that people make. Despite having many successes, they can harp on one particular lacking or failure and blow it up beyond proportion. This can be done internally so as to magnify one’s failures and minimiz …
Megillah 4 Do Not Cause Despair Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 15th, 2021
Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us a reason why the Megillah is not read on Shabbos: Rav Yosef said that there is another reason the Megilla is not read on Shabbos: Because the eyes of the poor are raised to the reading of the Megilla. The poor await the day on which the Megilla is read, because on that day gifts are distributed to the poor. If the Megilla is read on Shabbos, it will not be possible to distribute gifts to the poor, who will be d …
Megillah 9 Easy Does It Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 20th, 2021
Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells uses an oft quoted principle, מַעֲלִין בַּקּוֹדֶשׁ וְלֹא מוֹרִידִין One elevates to a higher level in matters of sanctity and one does not downgrade. Today I will share with you a unique application of this principle, as described by Sefer HaYashar. Since he will be saying quite a chiddush, it’s worth taking a moment to discuss Sefer HaYashar’s provenance. Although there …
Megillah 17 Exile Produces Growth Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 28th, 2021
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us that the events of the years of Yaakov’s life were not recorded explicitly until he arrived in Egypt. Meaning to say, by the other forefathers, their ages are noted at various life events, such as marriages or birthing children. It really is remarkable in its absence as compared to the other Avos. For example (Bereishis 25:20) tells us how old Yitschok was when he married Rivkah. Or Bereishis (21:5) tells u …
Megillah 7 Healthy Narcissism Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 17th, 2021
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us that Esther requested of the Sages, that the Holiday of Purim be established for posterity. Rashi here adds: “For a holiday, and to read the Megilla to be a remembrance of my name.” One might ask, what is legitimate about the second part of her request? Isn’t it self-aggrandizing? Part of me thinks, Esther was doomed in a marriage to a Gentile, and she realized that as a Jew, she may be complete …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Megillah 14 Last Resort Therapy Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 24th, 2021
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph observes: The verse states: “And the king removed his ring from his hand” (Esther 3:10). Rabbi Abba bar Kahana said: The removal of Ahasuerus’s ring for the sealing of Haman’s decree was more effective than the forty-eight prophets and the seven prophetesses who prophesied on behalf of the Jewish people. As, they were all unable to return the Jewish people to the right way, but the removal of Ah …
Megillah 3 Logic Versus Intuition Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 14th, 2021
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a certain kind of intuition, whereby there is a sense of foreboding without any known reason. Therefore, even though Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi did not actually see the vision that Daniel was seeing of a fearsome angelic being in real time, they were still in a state of uncanny dread. The Gemara explains that though they did not see the vision, their “mazal” saw it. Rashi translates this as their …
Megillah 13 Mindfulness and Consequences Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 24th, 2021
Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us the familiar story of how Rachel and Yaakov planned to prevent him from being swindled by Lavan. They anticipated that Lavan would force Rachel to secretly let him switch her for Leah at the wedding, so they had secret signs. But, as with many plans, it didn’t quite go as they imagined. At the last minute, Rachel had a change of heart and couldn’t allow her sister to be publicly humiliated and r …
Megillah 19 Motivations for Change Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 30th, 2021
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph Mentions different parts of the Megillah that we are required to begin reciting, in order to fulfill the obligation of reading megillah:
Beginning from where must a person read the Megilla in order to fulfill his obligation? Rabbi Meir says: He must read all of it. Rabbi Yehuda says: He need read only from “There was a certain Jew” (Esther 2:5). Rabbi Yosei says: From “After these things” (Es …
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 …
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 18 Praising God: How, and Why? Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 29th, 2021
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph warns of using excessive praise of G-d during prayers:
Rabba bar bar Ḥana said that Rabbi Yoḥanan said: With regard to one who excessively declares the praises of the Holy One, Blessed be He, his fate is to be uprooted from the world, as it appears as if he had exhausted all of God’s praises. As it is stated: “Shall it be told to Him when I speak? If a man says it, he would be swallowed up” …
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 …
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 …
Megillah 8 The Torah is Open Source Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 19th, 2021
Our Mishna on Amud Beis tells us that Sifrei Torah, theoretically, can be written in any language. Rabban Shimon Ben Gamliel disagreed, and only allowed Sifrei Torah to be written in Greek, and of course Hebrew. He granted a special status to the Greek language on account of the verse (Bereishis 9:27), which implies a special affinity between the Greek nation and the Jewish nation: יַ֤פְתְּ אֱלֹקים֙ לְיֶ֔פֶת וְיִשְׁ …
Megillah 12 They Deserve Each Other Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 23rd, 2021
Our Gemara on the bottom of Amud Aleph through Beis uses an interesting phrase to tell us that neither Acheshveurosh, nor Vashti, were innocent. In other words, they deserved each other. The phrase is: אִיהוּ בְּקָרֵי וְאִתְּתֵיהּ בְּבוּצִינֵי Which roughly translates as he is with pumpkins and she is with zucchini. The Gemara quotes it as a common saying amongst people. What does that phrase really mean, not …
Megillah 6 Torah in a Different Arena Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 17th, 2021
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us of a prophecy that the coliseums and theaters used for idolatrous purposes will one day be used to teach Torah in public. Aside from the accuracy of this prediction, as we have seen Siyumim and other Torah gatherings taking place in Madison Square Garden as well as virtual media outlets, what is the significance of this prediction? That is, why does it matter? Would it not be enough to know that Torah will be pro …
Megillah 5 Two Heads are Better than One Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 15th, 2021
Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us about an interchange between a master and a student. Rabbi Abba bar Zavda, had to correct his master, Rabbi Elazar about a particular recollection of an incident that affected the halachic analysis. Rabbi Elazar’s humble response was to quote Koheles (4:9), “Two are better than one”. He wanted to reassure his student that he welcomed the correction and feedback. Reishis Chokhma (Shaar Haked …
Megillah 2 United We Stand Divided We Fall Psychology & the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 13th, 2021
Our Gemara on Amud Beis uses a phrase, שְׁלֹשָׁה עָשָׂר זְמַן קְהִילָּה לַכֹּל הִיא. The thirteenth of Adar is a time of assembly for all, as the verse indicates, it was on that day that the Jews assembled to fight their enemies, and the main miracle was performed on that day. Consequently, there is no need for a special scriptural derivation to include it as a day that is fit for reading the Megilla. The Li …
Megillah 10 Veiled Interpretations Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 21st, 2021
Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us a clever derash on the verse that describes Yehuda meeting up with the Zonah, who actually was Tamar in disguise. Tamar still wanted to bear children for Yehuda’s family line, and since Yehuda was delaying offering a levirate marriage with Shelah, she took matters into her own hands. The verse (Bereishis 38:15) states: וַיִּרְאֶ֣הָ יְהוּדָ֔ה וַֽיַּחְשְׁבֶ֖הָ לְז …
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 …
Megillah 21 Wherever You Go, that’s Where I Will Be Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 31st, 2021
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us : From where is it derived that the teacher should not sit on a couch and teach his disciple while he is sitting on the ground? It is as it is stated: “But as for you, stand here with Me,” (Deuteronomy 5:26–27) which indicates that the teacher and his disciples should be in the same position. What a wonderful source for the idea that a rebbe should also show a degree of respect for his …
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 …
Memory vs. Analytical Skills Kiddushin 52 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 4th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us an interesting story about Rabbi Yehuda’s reaction to Rabbi Meir’s students: The Sages taught: After the death of Rabbi Meir, Rabbi Yehuda said to his students: Do not let the students of Rabbi Meir enter here into our house of study, because they are vexatious [kanteranim]. And they do not come to study Torah, but rather they come to overwhelm me with halakhos. Sumakhos, a student of Rabbi Meir, pushe …
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 …
Messiah, What a Concept Pesachim 5 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 26th, 2020
The Gemara explains that those three times the word rishon is mentioned with regard to the Festivals are necessary for that which the school of Rabbi Yishmael taught. As the school of Rabbi Yishmael taught: In reward for the three times the word rishon is stated with regard to the Festivals observed by the Jewish people, they were entitled to three matters also referred to as rishon: To eradicate the descendants of Esau, to the construction of th …
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 …
Midrashic and Philosophical Approaches to Tests of Faith
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 15th, 2020
Difficult times such as Corona virus cause us to ponder why we must suffer. This is an old theological problem, indeed recorded in the Book of Job. The language of Iyov is poetic, meandering, making it difficult to understand exactly what the various sides of the debate where, and what the final answer was. Many exegetes, including Rav Saadia Gaon (introduction to commentary on Iyov) notice and question the unclear verbosity of …
Mikvaos and COVID-19
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 20th, 2020
As the COVID-19 crisis rages on, more and more women will need to go to the Mikvah and may not be allowed to do so if they still might be contagious. This matter has even reached the attention of secular news outlets, as featured in this article in the Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/04/orthodox-jews-mikvah-immersion-covid-19/610204/ I wish I had an easy solution, but while meditating on the matter of Mik …
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 …
Mind Reader or Emotion Reader? Bava Metzia 66 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 26th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the implications of a person who appears calm but perhaps he is not. The Gemara sometimes rules that a verbal commitment is binding as there is a clear indication of serious intent, while other times we assume he was under some kind of duress and offered an empty verbal assurance but made no kinyan (physical act of transfer or acquisition) to solidify the transaction. The actual halachos are complex however we wi …
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 …
Mindfulness: Some Novel Sources
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 20th, 2019
How often is a person conscious and mindful of what he or she is doing? Life is busy, we check our cell phones every three seconds, and when we aren’t regretting the past we are busy worrying about the future. Trauma treatment practitioners are becoming more aware that disassociation is something we all do. It is only a matter of degree and severity that separates trauma victims from others. Without using the term mindfulness, Jewish tradit …
Minor Issues Bava Metzia 22 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 21st, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the legal status of minors, who do not possess the mental discernment to give proper consent, therefore they cannot forgive a debt or even waive an entitlement. “Yasmi lav bnei mechila ninhu.” The G”RA uses this idea to understand an emphasis made by the verse in Mishley (23:10): אַל־תַּ֭סֵּג גְּב֣וּל עוֹלָ֑ם וּבִשְׂדֵ֥י יְ֝תוֹמִ֗ים …
Minor Pangs of Conscience Yevamos 51 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 21st, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Beis quoted a Mishna on 96b that discusses the following scenario, If two brothers who are nine years old (old enough to be anatomically capable of intercourse, but still considered halakhic minors in terms of their ability to enact legal transaction such as marriage) have an older brother who dies childless, they both are under the obligation of Yibum. Of course, they should wait until adulthood, but the Mishna dis …
Miracles, Magic or Technology? Bava Metzia 27 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 26th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the reluctance of a person to loan a wallet or purse to another person, because it is a bad sign. That is, it symbolically portends that he will give his money to another person. Tosafos (ibid) raises a concern that this paying attention to signs should be under the prohibition against divination, as stated in (Vayikra 19:26). Tosafos answers, this is similar to what is taught in Shabbos (67a), …
Miscarriage of Justice Kesuvos 33 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 8th, 2022
It is a fact of life, psychologically and religiously, that the human psyche is in constant conflict and turmoil. Our Gemara quotes a verse that describes a quarrel between two men, an injured female bystanders and her fetuses. Toldos Yaakov Yosef reads into these verses a insightful allegory of the eternal struggle between the good inclination and the evil inclination. The verses are as follows (Shemos 21:22-24): וְכִֽי־יִנָּצ֣וּ …
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 …
Misery Loves Company Kiddushin 22 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 4th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph teaches us that, although a Jewish slave often has the option to choose to continue his servitude after undergoing the ritual of having his ear pierced, there are certain situations where he will not be allowed to remain a slave under any circumstances. This is because the verse states, "I love my master" (Shemos 21:5), implying a state of relative equivalence and harmony between master and servant. Thus, the Gemara rules …
Misplaced Truths Bava Basra 170 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 12th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph recounts an episode in which Rabbi Yitzchak bar Yosef believed that the esteemed Rabbi Abba owed him a large sum of money. Rabbi Abba, however, maintained that he had already repaid the debt. On the surface, this situation seems perplexing. One might expect sages of their stature to exercise exceptional care in tracking financial matters. Moreover, if there were any uncertainty, it would seem more in line with their piety …
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 …
Mixed Blessings Bava Metzia 89 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 27th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the Biblically mandated allocation given to field laborers to eat from the produce they harvest while they work (Devarim 23:25-26). This job benefit only accrues in regard to produce that grows from the ground, excluding milking, and making butter and cheese, as these forms of produce do not come from the soil. Tosafos here raises a contradiction between this Gemara’s parameters for produce of …
Mixed Motives Kesuvos 66 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 9th, 2022
There are times where we must do distasteful things. The overall good or needs of the moment may override certain moral or ethical sensitivities. What should be your mindset so the experience is less corrupting? Mei HaShiloach (Lech Lecha 7) darshens our Gemara to elaborate on this theme. Avraham finds himself in a position where he was victorious in the war to win back his nephew, Lot. He is offered the spoils yet declines to take them because ( …
Mixed Motives Kiddushin 56 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 5th, 2023
Our Gemara in Amud Beis uses a derash to derive that mixed species in the vineyard are forbidden to benefit from. בְּכִלְאֵי הַכֶּרֶם מְנָלַן? אָמַר חִזְקִיָּה: אָמַר קְרָא: ״פֶּן תִּקְדַּשׁ״ – פֶּן תּוּקַד אֵשׁ. From where do we derive that one is prohibited from deriving benefit from diverse kinds in a vineyard? Ḥizkiyya said: The verse states: “You s …
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 …
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 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 …
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 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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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, …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …