Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
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Showing Results 1480 - 1520 (1704 total)
The Oldest Quarantine Story Pesachim 18 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 9th, 2020
This Gemara mentions the principle of דיו לבא מן הדין להיות כנדון which is an essential hermeneutical principle. That being, when making a kal v’chomer inference, which is when we understand that a certain rule or restriction applies to a lesser matter, then surely it must apply to a more serious matter. The principle of “Dayo” limits the application to only something as severe as the originating rule. Thus …
Sanctity Is Stronger Than The Whole Lot Of Hell Pesachim 17 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 8th, 2020
Sanctity Is Stronger Than The Whole Lot Of Hell ― Thomas Merton The Gemara relates a quiz that Chaggai the prophet gave to the Cohanim. In our Gemara there is a discussion about the exact nature of the questions and the answers however I would like to focus on a beautiful explanation of the Malbim on these verses (Chaggai 2:12-14) הֵ֣ן ׀ יִשָּׂא־אִ֨ישׁ בְּשַׂר־קֹ֜דֶשׁ בִּכְנַ֣ף בִּגְד֗וֹ …
Emotions Never Die...They Just Come Out Later Sometimes Uglier Pesachim 16 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 7th, 2020
The Gemara quotes a verse in Deuteronomy (12:23). ״רַק חֲזַק לְבִלְתִּי אֲכֹל הַדָּם כִּי הַדָּם הוּא הַנָּפֶשׁ״. But be strong and make sure that you do not partake of the blood; for the blood is the life, and you must not consume the life with the flesh. The stress of the “be strong” indicates that there must have been a strong desire to drink blood. Let us try to understand this …
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 …
The Sins of the Fathers Pesachim 14 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 4th, 2020
This Gemara quotes an argument based on the simple reading of a verse. מקרא מלא דיבר הכתוב Sometimes the plainly evident verse becomes a source of halakha, even in later generations. For example, an interesting shaalah was asked to the Noda BeYehuda ( תשובת נודע ביהודה יו״ד א סימן סט). A person was engaged and after the tenaim the grandfather of the Kallah became an apostate. Since this was co …
What loneliness is more lonely than distrust? Pesachim 13 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 4th, 2020
What loneliness is more lonely than distrust? George Eliot Likewise, collectors of food for the charity plate, who would collect food in large vessels for the poor to eat, who do not have poor people to whom to distribute the food, sell the food to others and do not sell it to themselves, as it is stated: “And you shall be clear before God and before Israel” (Numbers 32:22). It is not sufficient that a person is without sin in …
Are You Not Entertained?! Pesachim 12 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 3rd, 2020
In light of Rav Pappa’s statement, the Gemara discusses the topic of mealtimes. The Sages taught in a baraita: Eating in the first hour of the morning is the time of eating for Ludim, who are members of a nation of cannibals, and they are ravenous and in a hurry to eat. The second hour is the time of eating for robbers [listin]. Since they spend the night stealing, they eat early in the morning. The third hour is the time of eating for heir …
A Profession will make you a living self-education will make you a fortune Pesachim 11 Psych & the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 2nd, 2020
A Profession will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune. - Jim Rohn The Gemara rejects this contention: There, with regard to a firstborn, it is different, for if he leaves it and does nothing the animal will die, and therefore we say that a person is agitated over his property. In his agitated state he will overlook the details of permitted and prohibited actions and violate a prohibition. Here, however, if he leaves his …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Mysticism and Neoplatonism for Dummies Pesachim 7 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 27th, 2020
The Gemara quotes a verse from Proverbs 20:27: The soul of man is the lamp of the LORD Revealing all his inmost parts. נֵ֣ר יְ֭הוָה נִשְׁמַ֣ת אָדָ֑ם חֹ֝פֵ֗שׂ כָּל־חַדְרֵי־בָֽטֶן׃ Rashi on Tanach explains this verse as follows : נר ה' נשמת אדם. הנשמה שבקרבו מעידה עליו בדין On the future day of reckoning after a person passes away his soul records all his …
Out of Order Pesachim 6 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 27th, 2020
Let us examine the well-known principle of אֵין מוּקְדָּם וּמְאוּחָר בַּתּוֹרָה, that the Torah is not written in chronological order. As many deep Jewish matters that we are first introduced to at a young age, we often accept them without thinking about their broader philosophical implications. The Gemara asks: If so, let the Torah write first that which occurred in the first month and then let it wri …
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 …
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 …
Sexually Explicit Pesachim 3 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 24th, 2020
Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: A person should never express a crude matter, as the formulation of a verse was distorted by the addition of eight letters rather than have it express a crude matter, as it is stated: “From the pure animals and from the animals that are not pure [asher einena tehora]” (Genesis 7:8). To avoid using the Hebrew term for impure [teme’a], which is four letters: Tet, mem, alef, heh, the verse repla …
Suspicious Motives Pesachim 2 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 23rd, 2020
The Gemara quotes a verse in Iyov 24:14 as follows: לָא֡וֹר יָ֘ק֤וּם רוֹצֵ֗חַ יִֽקְטָל־עָנִ֥י וְאֶבְי֑וֹן וּ֝בַלַּ֗יְלָה יְהִ֣י כַגַּנָּֽב׃ The murderer arises in the evening To kill the poor and needy, And at night he acts the thief. This verse raises an important flag about zealotry. Whenever we find ourselves to excited about something we believe to be …
A Broken Heart is More Whole Eruvin 105 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 22nd, 2020
A Broken Heart is More Whole A dilemma was raised before the Sages: If one priest is ritually impure and another has a blemish, which of them should enter to perform repairs? Rav Ḥiyya bar Ashi said that Rav said: The impure one should enter, as he is permitted to participate in communal service. If the entire community is ritually impure, even impure priests may perform the service, whereas blemished priests may not serve under any circ …
Talmudic Insomnia Cures Eruvin 104 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 20th, 2020
One may draw up wine from a barrel with a siphon [diyofei], and one may drip water from a vessel that releases water in drops [miarak], for an ill person on Shabbat. מַעֲלִין בִּדְיוֹפִי וּמַטִּיפִין מֵיאֶרֶק לַחוֹלֶה בַּשַּׁבָּת. Essentially the Gemara is discussing generating white noise to allow an ill person to fall asleep or stay asleep. This is an excellent technique for insomnia, li …
Zealous Cohanim Eruvin 103 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 20th, 2020
This Gemara discuses a well known principle of אין שבות במקדש there are no rabbinic restrictions within the Temple. The basic understanding of why this is true, is because the Cohanim are zealous and thus would be unlikely to make a mistake (רבנו יהונתן ערובין קב א). In Other words, the priest, especially in the Holy Temple site, do not require extra strength and cease to protect them from inadvertent vi …
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 …
The Sun god of the Tiberius Shul Eruvin 101 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 18th, 2020
The Daf Yomi of Eruvin 101b tells us a story about an argument that occurred at the synagogue of Tiberias. There is greater detail about this argument supplied from Gemara Yevamos 96b: אזל ר' אלעזר אמר לשמעתא בי מדרשא ולא אמרה משמיה דר' יוחנן שמע רבי יוחנן איקפד עול לגביה רבי אמי ור' אסי אמרו ליה לא כך היה המעשה בבית הכנסת של טבריא ב …
True Lies and True Love Eruvin 100 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 17th, 2020
Rabbi Yoḥanan said: Even if the Torah had not been given, we would nonetheless have learned modesty from the cat, which covers its excrement, and that stealing is objectionable from the ant, which does not take grain from another ant, and forbidden relations from the dove, which is faithful to its partner, and proper relations from the rooster, which first appeases the hen and then mates with it. What does the rooster do to appease the hen? Rav …
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 …
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 …
Charming, Enchanting but Confusing Eruvin 97 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 13th, 2020
This Gemara discusses Kameyos and perhaps it is A good idea to have a better understanding about these unusual objects. It is an inescapable fact that for thousands of years Jewish people, and also people from other religions have used various amulets and charms with material written on them. I cannot comment on what other religions use them for or if they have validity or permissibility, however in Jewish thought we see they are used. The …
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 …
Trauma and the Visual Cortex Eruvin 95 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 12th, 2020
תַּנָּא דְבֵי מְנַשֶּׁה: ״עַל יָדְךָ״ — זוֹ קִיבּוֹרֶת, ״בֵּין עֵינֶיךָ״ — זוֹ קׇדְקֹד. הֵיכָא? אָמְרִי דְּבֵי רַבִּי יַנַּאי: מְקוֹם שֶׁמּוֹחוֹ שֶׁל תִּינוֹק רוֹפֵס. The Gemara comments: The school of Menashe taught the following. The verse states: “And you shall bind them for a sign on …
People Talking Without Speaking Eruvin 94 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 11th, 2020
וְהָא דְּרַב לָאו בְּפֵירוּשׁ אִתְּמַר, אֶלָּא מִכְּלָלָא אִתְּמַר. דְּרַב וּשְׁמוּאֵל הֲווֹ יָתְבִי בְּהָהוּא חָצֵר, נְפַל גּוּדָּא דְּבֵינֵי בֵּינֵי, אֲמַר לְהוּ שְׁמוּאֵל: שְׁקוּלוּ גְּלִימָא, נְגִידוּ בַּהּ. The Gemara comments: And this ruling of Rav …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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, …
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 …
15 Minutes of Fame Eruvin 88 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 5th, 2020
בִּיב הַקָּמוּר אַרְבַּע אַמּוֹת בִּרְשׁוּת הָרַבִּים — שׁוֹפְכִין לְתוֹכוֹ מַיִם בַּשַּׁבָּת. If the first four cubits of a drainage ditch were arched over (Kamur) in the public domain, one may pour waste water into it on Shabbat. What is this obscure term, Kamur? Meiri ibid on word Kemoros ועוקה זו מתרת בין בפנים ובין מבחוץ …
Wise Women and Warfare Eruvin 87 Psychology of the Daf Eruvin 25
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 4th, 2020
Wise Women and Warfare This Daf refers to a city knows as Eyvel. It is an unusual name. It is mentioned in Tanach in regard ot the rebellion of Sheva ben Bichri against the King David (II Samuel 20). וַתִּקְרָ֛א אִשָּׁ֥ה חֲכָמָ֖ה מִן־הָעִ֑יר שִׁמְע֤וּ שִׁמְעוּ֙ אִמְרוּ־נָ֣א אֶל־יוֹאָ֔ב קְרַ֣ב עַד־הֵ֔נָּה וַאֲדַבְּרָ …
Who Wears The Pants in The Family? Eruvin 86 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 3rd, 2020
Maseches Eruvin 86 גמ׳ אמר רב הלכה כרבי שמעון ודוקא בתו אבל בנו לא דאמרי אינשי נבח בך כלבא עול נבח בך גורייתא פוק: GEMARA: Rav said: The halakha is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Shimon. The Gemara comments: And this is the halakha only if one went to his daughter’s house; but if he went to his son’s house, no, this is not the halakha. One cannot be sur …
You are WHEN You Eat Eruvin 85 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 2nd, 2020
Mishna הַנּוֹתֵן אֶת עֵרוּבוֹ בְּבֵית שַׁעַר, אַכְסַדְרָה וּמִרְפֶּסֶת, אֵינוֹ עֵרוּב. וְהַדָּר שָׁם, אֵינוֹ אוֹסֵר עָלָיו. בְּבֵית הַתֶּבֶן וּבְבֵית הַבָּקָר וּבְבֵית הָעֵצִים וּבְבֵית הָאוֹצָרוֹת, הֲרֵי זֶה עֵרוּב. וְהַדָּר שָׁם, אוֹסֵר עָלָ …
The Big Cover Up Eruvin 84 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 1st, 2020
Eruvin 84 מתקיף לה רב פפא ודילמא כשרבים מכתפין עליו בכומתא וסודרא Rav Pappa strongly objected to this argument, claiming that this proof can be refuted: But perhaps this applies only to a roof upon which many people place their hats [kumta] and shawls when they are in need of rest. Even if the people in the public domain are not situated within ten handbreadths of the roof, they can still use it conve …
The Rambam Diet Eruvin 83 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 30th, 2020
The Rambam Diet דכתיב והעומר עשירית האיפה הוא מכאן אמרו שבעה רבעים קמח ועוד חייבת בחלה שהן ששה של ירושלמית שהן חמשה של ציפורי The Gemara responds: The Torah states that the manna, the dough of the wilderness, was “an omer a head” (Exodus 16:16). A later verse elaborates on that measure, as it is written: “And an omer is the tenth part of an …
Don’t Rush a Child to Grow Up Eruvin 82 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 30th, 2020
Eruvin 82 ותנן נמי גבי סוכה כי האי גוונא קטן שאין צריך לאמו חייב בסוכה And we also learned a similar halakha in a mishna with regard to a sukka: A child who does not need his mother is obligated in the mitzvah of sukkah by rabbinical law, so that he will be trained in the observance of mitzvot. והוינן בה ואיזהו קטן שאין צריך לאמו אמרי דבי רבי ינאי כל שנ …
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 …
The Sins of the Fathers Eruvin 80 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 28th, 2020
The Sins of the Fathers אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַבִּי זֵירָא לְרַבִּי יַעֲקֹב (בְּרֵיהּ) דְּבַת יַעֲקֹב Rashi: בריה דבת יעקב - אביו לא היה הגון לפיכך לא הזכירו: Rashi tells us that this Amora was called “Yaakov Son of the Daughter of Yaakov” because his father was not fitting to mention. We cannot know what crimes his father committed but it is inspiri …
The Importance of a Secret Eruvin 79 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 27th, 2020
The Importance of a Secret This Gemara tells over several teachings in the names of the סבי דפומבדיתא Who are the סבי דפומבדיתא, the Elders of Pumbeditha? סנהדרין י״ז, ב סבי דפומבדיתא רב יהודה ורב עינא The phrase: The Elders of Pumbedita, is referring to Rav Yehuda and Rav Eina The Gemara Chagigah 13a tells us an interesting story about the סבי דפומבדיתא רב יוסף …
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 …
Stairway to Heaven Eruvin 77 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 25th, 2020
Eruvin 77 This Gemara mentions a סולם המצרי, literally an Egyptian Ladder, which according to the Talmud’s definition is a small ladder which has less than four rungs. What is this Egyptian ladder? Were the Egyptians midgets? The term comes up in only one other place in the Talmud, and that is in Mishna Bava Basra 3:6 סֻלָּם הַמִּצְרִי אֵין לוֹ חֲזָקָה, וְלַצּוֹרִי יֶשׁ לוֹ חֲ …
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 …
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 …
Slave Lives Matter Eruvin 74 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 22nd, 2020
Eruvin 74 וְאַיְבוּת בַּר אִיהִי סָבַר: מְקוֹם פִּיתָּא גָּרֵים. וּשְׁמוּאֵל לְטַעְמֵיהּ דְּאָמַר: מָקוֹם לִינָה גָּרֵים. And Ivut bar Ihi holds that the place where a person eats his bread determines his place of residence. Therefore, he did not consider the synagogue a residence, as the attendant would eat elsewhere, and Ivut bar Ihi thought that Shmu …
Daniel's Gambles Eruvin 73 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 21st, 2020
Talmud Eruvin 73 דניאל ב:מט וְדָנִיֵּאל֙ בְּעָ֣א מִן־מַלְכָּ֔א וּמַנִּ֗י עַ֤ל עֲבִֽידְתָּא֙ דִּ֚י מְדִינַ֣ת בָּבֶ֔ל לְשַׁדְרַ֥ךְ מֵישַׁ֖ךְ וַעֲבֵ֣ד נְג֑וֹ וְדָנִיֵּ֖אל בִּתְרַ֥ע מַלְכָּֽא׃ (פ) At Daniel’s request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to administer the p …
BUT...Did You Ask Daas Torah?? Eruvin 72 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 20th, 2020
וְלִיפְלְגִי בִּמְסִיפָס לְהוֹדִיעֲךָ כֹּחָן דְּבֵית שַׁמַּאי! כֹּחַ דְּהֶיתֵּרָא עָדִיף. The Gemara asks: If they disagreed in both cases, let them disagree in the baraita about a mesifas, and thereby inform you of the strength of Beit Shammai. They are stringent and require a separate contribution to the eiruv for each and every group, even in the case of a me …
Choral Reef Eruvin 71 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 18th, 2020
תַּנְיָא, רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בֶּן תַּדַּאי אוֹמֵר: אֶחָד זֶה וְאֶחָד זֶה צְרִיכִין לְעָרֵב. וַאֲפִילּוּ לָזֶה בְּיַיִן וְלָזֶה בְּיַיִן? It was taught in a baraita: Rabbi Eliezer ben Taddai says: In both this case, of wine and wine, and that case, of wine and oil, they must establish an eiruv. The Gemara expresses wonder: Did h …
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 …
Duty and the Beast Eruvin 69 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 16th, 2020
״מִן הַבְּהֵמָה״ — לְהָבִיא בְּנֵי אָדָם הַדּוֹמִין לִבְהֵמָה. מִכָּאן אָמְרוּ: מְקַבְּלִין קׇרְבָּנוֹת מִפּוֹשְׁעֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, כְּדֵי שֶׁיַּחְזְרוּ בִּתְשׁוּבָה. חוּץ מִן הַמּוּמָר, וְהַמְנַסֵּךְ יַיִן, וְהַמְחַלֵּל שַׁבָּתוֹת בְּפַ …
Sect Education Eruvin 68 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 16th, 2020
Who are צדוקים ובייתוסים and how are they different? Mishna Avos 1:3 אַנְטִיגְנוֹס אִישׁ סוֹכוֹ קִבֵּל מִשִּׁמְעוֹן הַצַּדִּיק. הוּא הָיָה אוֹמֵר, אַל תִּהְיוּ כַעֲבָדִים הַמְשַׁמְּשִׁין אֶת הָרַב עַל מְנָת לְקַבֵּל פְּרָס, אֶלָּא הֱווּ כַעֲבָדִים הַמְשַׁמְּשִׁ …
Do not be a Perfectionist in your Studies Eruvin 67 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 9th, 2020
רַב חִסְדָּא וְרַב שֵׁשֶׁת כִּי פָּגְעִי בַּהֲדֵי הֲדָדֵי — רַב חִסְדָּא מִרַתְעָן שִׂיפְווֹתֵיהּ מִמַּתְנְיָיתָא דְּרַב שֵׁשֶׁת, וְרַב שֵׁשֶׁת מִרְתַע כּוּלֵּיהּ גּוּפֵיהּ מִפִּלְפּוּלֵיהּ דְּרַב חִסְדָּא. The Gemara relates that when Rav Ḥisda and …
Analytic Learners vs. Dynamic Learners Eruvin 66 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 9th, 2020
Eruvin 66 תָּהֵי בַּהּ רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר. Rabbi Elazar wondered at Rabbi Yoḥanan’s ruling that the Sages had acted well when they rented the gentile’s property on Shabbat and then they renounced their rights to that one, so that at least it would be permitted to use the courtyard. Tosafos Kesuvos 2b וכל אמורא היה תופס לשונו כמו מגדף בה ר' אבהו (סנהדרין ג: …
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 …
Non-Toxic Intoxication Eruvin 64 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 9th, 2020
אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: שָׁתָה רְבִיעִית יַיִן — אַל יוֹרֶה. אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן: לָא מְעַלְּיָא הָא שְׁמַעְתָּא, דְּהָא אֲנָא כֹּל כַּמָּה דְּלָא שָׁתֵינָא רְבִיעֵתָא דְּחַמְרָא — לָא צִילָא דַּעְתַּאי. However, Rav Naḥman did not give his a …
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 …
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 …
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] …
The Anthropology of Pre-Literate Cultures and it's Relation to Mishna Eruvin 60 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 8th, 2020
Eruvin 60 אֲמַר לֵיהּ אַבָּיֵי לְרַב יוֹסֵף: הָא דְּרַבִּי יִצְחָק, גְּמָרָא אוֹ סְבָרָא? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מַאי נָפְקָא לַן מִינַּהּ? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: גְּמָרָא גְּמוֹר, זְמוֹרְתָּא תְּהֵא?! Abaye said to Rav Yosef: Is that ruling of Rabbi Yitzḥak based on oral tradition or his own logic? Rav Yosef said to him: What …
Studies in Futility Eruvin 59 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 7th, 2020
אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב נַחְמָן: מַאי טַעְמָא? אִילֵּימָא מִשּׁוּם דִּשְׁכִיחִי גַּבֵּי הַרְמָנָא, מַדְכְּרִי אַהֲדָדֵי — כּוּלְּהוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל נָמֵי בְּצַפְרָא דְּשַׁבְּתָא שְׁכִיחִי גַּבֵּי הֲדָדֵי. אֶלָּא אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן: כְּגוֹן דִּיס …
Unqualified Love Eruvin 58 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 6th, 2020
תַּנְיָא, אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן חֲנַנְיָא: אֵין לְךָ שֶׁיָּפֶה לִמְדִידָה יוֹתֵר מִשַּׁלְשְׁלָאוֹת שֶׁל בַּרְזֶל, אֲבָל מַה נַּעֲשֶׂה שֶׁהֲרֵי אָמְרָה תּוֹרָה: ״וּבְיָדוֹ חֶבֶל מִדָּה״. It was taught in a baraita that Rabbi Yehoshua ben Ḥananya said: You have not …
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, …
Yin and Yang Eruvin 56 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 2nd, 2020
אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: אֵין תְּקוּפַת נִיסָן נוֹפֶלֶת אֶלָּא בְּאַרְבָּעָה רִבְעֵי הַיּוֹם, אוֹ בִּתְחִלַּת הַיּוֹם אוֹ בִּתְחִלַּת הַלַּיְלָה, אוֹ בַּחֲצִי הַיּוֹם אוֹ בַּחֲצִי הַלַּיְלָה. On the topic of the previous discussion with regard to calculating the directions of the world based …
Wherever You Go, That's where You'll Be Eruvin 55 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 2nd, 2020
רָבָא אָמַר: ״לֹא בַשָּׁמַיִם הִיא״ — לֹא תִּמָּצֵא בְּמִי שֶׁמַּגְבִּיהַּ דַּעְתּוֹ עָלֶיהָ כַּשָּׁמַיִם, וְלֹא תִּמָּצֵא בְּמִי שֶׁמַּרְחִיב דַּעְתּוֹ עָלֶיהָ כַּיָּם. Expounding the verse differently, Rava said: “It is not in heaven” means that Torah is not to be found in som …
Be a Patient Teacher Eruvin 54 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 2nd, 2020
רַבִּי פְּרִידָא הֲוָה לֵיהּ הָהוּא תַּלְמִידָא דַּהֲוָה תָּנֵי לֵיהּ אַרְבַּע מְאָה זִימְנֵי וְגָמַר. יוֹמָא חַד בַּעְיוּהּ לְמִלְּתָא דְמִצְוָה. תְּנָא לֵיהּ וְלָא גְּמַר. Having discussed the importance of reviewing one’s Torah study, the Gemara relates that Rabbi Perida had a certain …
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 …
What is the POINT, really? Eruvin 53 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 1st, 2020
מַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: לִבָּן שֶׁל רִאשׁוֹנִים כְּפִתְחוֹ שֶׁל אוּלָם, וְשֶׁל אַחֲרוֹנִים כְּפִתְחוֹ שֶׁל הֵיכָל, וְאָנוּ — כִּמְלֹא נֶקֶב מַחַט סִידְקִית. Similarly, Rabbi Yoḥanan said: The hearts, i.e., the wisdom, of the early Sages were like the doorway to the Entrance Hall of the Temple, which was twen …
Doing by NOT Doing Eruvin 52 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 30th, 2020
Eruvin 52 The Gemara quotes the verse in Isaiah 58:13 אִם־תָּשִׁ֤יב מִשַּׁבָּת֙ רַגְלֶ֔ךָ עֲשׂ֥וֹת חֲפָצֶ֖יךָ בְּי֣וֹם קָדְשִׁ֑י וְקָרָ֨אתָ לַשַּׁבָּ֜ת עֹ֗נֶג לִקְד֤וֹשׁ יְהוָה֙ מְכֻבָּ֔ד וְכִבַּדְתּוֹ֙ מֵעֲשׂ֣וֹת דְּרָכֶ֔יךָ מִמְּצ֥וֹא חֶפְצְךָ֖ וְדַבֵּ֥ר ד …
Multi-Tasking: The Real Deal Eruvin 50 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 27th, 2020
אַמַּאי? לֵימָא: כׇּל שֶׁאֵינוֹ בְּזֶה אַחַר זֶה — אֲפִילּוּ בְּבַת אַחַת אֵינוֹ! According to Rabba’s opinion, the question arises: Why should the produce be rendered fit for consumption? Let us say and apply his principle: Anything that cannot be accomplished sequentially; even simultaneously it cannot be accomplished. Since one may not designate two tenths seq …
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 …
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 …
Wedding Night Trauma Eruvin 47 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 25th, 2020
In this section we will discuss and an unusual custom that, according to some, was enacted in order to forestall wedding night trauma. Imagine if one year the Moschiach came and Elijah the prophet announced that this year the Mitzvah on Seder night is to have a Ham on Rye. Even the most devout believer would probably choke while trying to perform the Mitzvah. This is what wedding night trauma is for some couples who have spent their …
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 …
We are Our Own Worst Enemy Eruvin 45 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 23rd, 2020
פַּעַם אַחַת הִכִּירוּ בָּהֶן אוֹיְבִים וְרָדְפוּ אַחֲרֵיהֶם, וְנִכְנְסוּ לִיטּוֹל כְּלֵי זֵיינָן, וְנִכְנְסוּ אוֹיְבִים אַחֲרֵיהֶן. דָּחֲקוּ זֶה אֶת זֶה, וְהָרְגוּ זֶה אֶת זֶה יוֹתֵר מִמַּה שֶּׁהָרְגוּ אוֹיְבִים. בְּאוֹתָהּ שָׁעָה הִתְקִ …
The Ends Justify the Means Eruvin 44 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 22nd, 2020
אִם הָיָה בְּתוֹךְ הַתְּחוּם — כְּאִילּוּ לֹא יָצָא. כׇּל הַיּוֹצְאִים לְהַצִּיל — חוֹזְרִין לִמְקוֹמָן. If he was within his original limit, it is considered as if he had not left his limit, and he may return to his original location. The Sages formulated a principle: All who go out to battle and save lives may return to their original locat …
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 …
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 …
Staying Together for the Children Eruvin 41 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 18th, 2020
Eruvin 41 שְׁלֹשָׁה אֵין רוֹאִין פְּנֵי גֵיהִנָּם, אֵלּוּ הֵן: דִּקְדּוּקֵי עֲנִיּוּת, וְחוֹלֵי מֵעַיִין, וְהָרְשׁוּת. וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים: אַף מִי שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ אִשָּׁה רָעָה. The Gemara cites a related teaching: Three classes of people do not see the face of Gehenna, because the suffering that they bear in this wor …
Be an "Absorbent" Jew Eruvin 40 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 18th, 2020
לִבְרוֹךְ עֲלֵיהּ וְלַנְּחֵיהּ — הַמְבָרֵךְ צָרִיךְ שֶׁיִּטְעוֹם! לִיתְּבֵיהּ לְיָנוֹקָא — לֵית הִלְכְתָא כְּרַב אַחָא, דִּילְמָא אָתֵי לְמִסְרַךְ. And if you say that he should recite the blessing over a cup of wine and leave it and drink it only after the conclusion of Yom Kippur, this too is difficult …
Bringing the House Down Eruvin 39 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 17th, 2020
אִי צוּרְבָּא מֵרַבָּנַן הוּא, אָמְרִינַן: שְׁמַעְתָּא מְשַׁכְתֵּיהּ. וְאִי עַם הָאָרֶץ הוּא, אָמְרִינַן: חַמְרָא אִירְכַס לֵיהּ. The Gemara explains: If he is a Torah scholar [tzurva merabbanan], we, the observers, would say: Perhaps his study pulled him, i.e., he was engrossed in his study and was not paying attention to where he …
Moments of Transition Daf Eruvin 38 Psychology of the
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 16th, 2020
Shemos 16:5 But on the sixth day, when they apportion what they have brought in, it shall prove to be double the amount they gather each day.” אגרא דכלה בשלח ל״ח או יאמר המשך הפסוקים. על פי מ"ש חכמי האמת וספרי המוסר בנידון התשובה, שיראה האדם להרהר בתשובה לעתותי ערב בזמן מנחה קודם שיחזור היום לנרתיקו, שאז יהיה …
Turning Yourself Inside Out Psychology of the Daf Eruvin 37
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 15th, 2020
Eruvin 37 הָא וַדַּאי אִיפְּכָא תַּנְיָא, דְּקָתָנֵי סֵיפָא: וּמוֹדֶה רַבִּי יוֹסֵי בְּאוֹמֵר ״מַעֲשֵׂר שֶׁיֵּשׁ לִי בְּתוֹךְ בֵּיתִי יְהֵא מְחוּלָּל עַל סֶלַע חֲדָשָׁה שֶׁתַּעֲלֶה בְּיָדִי מִן הַכִּיס״ — שֶׁחִילֵּל. מִדְּקָאָמַר הָכָא שֶׁחִיל …
Spouse, Friend or Teacher? Eruvin 36 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 14th, 2020
רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אוֹמֵר אִם הָיָה אֶחָד מֵהֶן וְכוּ׳. וְרַבָּנַן — זִימְנִין דְּנִיחָא לֵיהּ בְּחַבְרֵיהּ טְפֵי מֵרַבֵּיהּ. We learned in the mishna that Rabbi Yehuda says: If one of the Sages was his teacher, he may go only to his teacher, as we can assume that this was his original intention. The Gemara asks: And what is the reaso …
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 …
The Principle of Opposites Enantiodromia Eruvin 33 & 34 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 11th, 2020
רְשׁוּת הַיָּחִיד עוֹלָה עַד לָרָקִיעַ, וְכִי הֵיכִי דְּסָלְקָא לְעֵיל, הָכִי נָמֵי דְּנָחֲתָא לְתַחַת. וְאֶלָּא דְּקָאֵי בִּרְשׁוּת הָרַבִּים. it is obvious, for the private domain ascends to the sky, and just as it ascends upward, so too, it descends downward to the bottom of the pit, even if it is more than ten hand …
The Real Reason for the Mitzvos Eruvin 31 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 9th, 2020
Eruvin 31 דְּכוּלֵּי עָלְמָא מִצְוֹת לָאו לֵיהָנוֹת נִיתְּנוּ The Gemara answers that Rava could have said to you: If they hold that one may establish an eiruv only for the sake of a mitzva, all would agree that the eiruv may be placed on a grave because mitzvot were not given for benefit. for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psychology of the DAF Eruvin 31 The Maharal in Tiferes Yisrael beginn …
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 …
Don't be Small-Minded about Giants Eruvin 30 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 8th, 2020
וּמִי אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן אֶלְעָזָר הָכִי? וְהָתַנְיָא, רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן אֶלְעָזָר אוֹמֵר: עוֹג מֶלֶךְ הַבָּשָׁן — פִּיתְחוֹ כִּמְלוֹאוֹ! The Gemara raises a difficulty with the aforementioned baraita: Did Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar really say this? Wasn’t it taught in another baraita pertaini …
Being Realistic about Ability & Mood Eruvin 29 Psychology & the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 7th, 2020
אָמַר רָבָא: הֲרֵינִי כְּבֶן עַזַּאי בְּשׁוּקֵי טְבֶרְיָא. אֲמַר לֵיהּ הָהוּא מֵרַבָּנַן לְרָבָא: תַּפּוּחִים בְּכַמָּה? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: וְכִי מְעָרְבִין בְּתַפּוּחִים? Rava once said when he was in an especially good mood: Behold, I am like the intellectually sharp ben Azzai, who would regularly expound …
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 …
A Holy Family is a Healthy Family Eruvin 27 Rabbi Simcha Feuerman LCSW-R, DHL
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 4th, 2020
וּכְלָלָא הוּא דְּכׇל מִצְוַת עֲשֵׂה שֶׁהַזְּמַן גְּרָמָא נָשִׁים פְּטוּרוֹת? הֲרֵי מַצָּה שִׂמְחָה וְהַקְהֵל, דְּמִצְוַת עֲשֵׂה שֶׁהַזְּמַן גְּרָמָא הוּא, וְנָשִׁים חַיָּיבוֹת. Is it a general principle that women are exempt from all time-bound, positive commandments without exception? B …
Easy Does It Eruvin 26 Psychology of the Daf Rabbi Simcha Feuerman LCSW-R, DHL
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 4th, 2020
וִישַׁעְיָהוּ מַאי בָּעֵי הָתָם? אָמַר רַבָּה בַּר בַּר חָנָה אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: מְלַמֵּד שֶׁחָלָה חִזְקִיָּה, וְהָלַךְ יְשַׁעְיָהוּ וְהוֹשִׁיב יְשִׁיבָה עַל פִּתְחוֹ. The Gemara asks about the Biblical narrative cited above: What did Isaiah need to do there in the middle court, i.e., why wa …
Choice Theory Eruvin 25 Psychology of the Daf Rabbi Simcha Feuerman LCSW-R, DHL
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 3rd, 2020
Eruvin 25 אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב פַּפִּי: מִשּׁוּם דְּאַתּוּ מִמּוּלָאֵי אָמְרִיתוּ מִילֵּי מוּלְיָיאתָא. הָנָךְ מְחִיצוֹת, לְגַוַּאי — עֲבִידָן, לְבָרַאי — לָא עֲבִידָן. Rav Pappi said to him: Because you come from truncated [mula’ei] people, as Rav Beivai’s family traced their lineage to the house of E …
Reality, What a Strange Concept Eruvin 24 Psychology of the Daf Rabbi Simcha Feuerman LCSW-R, DHL
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 1st, 2020
וַאֲמַר לֵיהּ רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: רַבִּי, שָׁנִיתָה לָנוּ: סַנְדָּל שֶׁנִּפְסְקָה אַחַת מֵאׇזְנָיו וְתִיקְּנָהּ — טָמֵא מִדְרָס. Rabbi Yoḥanan his student said to him: Master, you taught us that with regard to a sandal that became ritually impure by impurity imparted by the treading of a zav, and one of its ears, i.e., straps, bro …
Dirty Secrets Eruvin 23 Psychology of the Daf Rabbi Simcha Feuerman LCSW-R, DHL
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 1st, 2020
אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה, דְּאָמַר קְרָא: ״אֹרֶךְ הֶחָצֵר מֵאָה בָאַמָּה וְרֹחַב חֲמִשִּׁים בַּחֲמִשִּׁים״. אָמְרָה תּוֹרָה: טוֹל חֲמִשִּׁים, וְסַבֵּב חֲמִשִּׁים. The Gemara answers: Rav Yehuda said: This is learned from the verse that stated: “The length of the courtyard shall be a hundred cubits, and the br …
Do NOT Attempt this Stunt at Home Eruvin 22 Psychology of the Daf Rabbi Simcha Feuerman LCSW-R, DHL
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 30th, 2020
רָבָא אָמַר: בְּמִי שֶׁמֵּשִׂים עַצְמוֹ אַכְזָרִי עַל בָּנָיו וְעַל בְּנֵי בֵּיתוֹ כְּעוֹרֵב. כִּי הָא דְּרַב אַדָּא בַּר מַתְנָא הֲוָה קָאָזֵיל לְבֵי רַב, אֲמַרָה לֵיהּ דְּבֵיתְהוּ: יָנוֹקֵי דִידָךְ מַאי אֶעֱבֵיד לְהוּ? אֲמַר לַהּ: מִי שְׁל …
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] …
Private Needs vs. Public Welfare Eruvin 20 Psychology of the Daf Rabbi Simcha Feuerman LCSW-R, DHL
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 28th, 2020
Eruvin 20 וּמַאי קָא מַשְׁמַע לַן — דְּלָא אָתוּ רַבִּים וּמְבַטְּלִי מְחִיצְתָּא, הָא אֲמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר חֲדָא זִימְנָא! The Gemara asks: And what is he teaching us by this statement, that the passage of many people does not come and negate the effectiveness of a partition? But Rabbi Elazar stated this idea once before. דִּתְנַן, ר …
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. …
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 …
Taking Custom with a Grain of Salt Psychology of the Daf Eruvin 17
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 25th, 2020
וּפְטוּרִין מֵרְחִיצַת יָדַיִם. אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: לֹא שָׁנוּ אֶלָּא מַיִם רִאשׁוֹנִים, אֲבָל מַיִם אַחֲרוֹנִים חוֹבָה. We learned in the mishna that in a military camp one is exempt from ritual washing of the hands. Abaye said: They taught this exemption only with regard to first waters, i.e., hand-washing before eating. However, final waters, …
Admitting that We are Wrong Psychology of the Daf Eruvin 16
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 25th, 2020
Eruvin 16 הֲדַר אוֹקֵים רַב נַחְמָן אָמוֹרָא עֲלֵיהּ וּדְרַשׁ: דְּבָרִים שֶׁאָמַרְתִּי לִפְנֵיכֶם טָעוּת הֵן בְּיָדִי. בְּרַם כָּךְ אָמְרוּ: יָחִיד — נוֹתְנִין לוֹ בֵּית סָאתַיִם, שְׁנַיִם — נוֹתְנִין לָהֶן בֵּית סָאתַיִם, שְׁלֹשָׁה — נַעֲש …
No Strings Attached Divorce Psychology of the Daf Eruvin 15
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 23rd, 2020
Eruvin Daf 15 וְרַבָּנַן, הַאי ״סֵפֶר כְּרִיתוּת״ מִיבְּעֵי לֵיהּ לְדָבָר הַכּוֹרֵת בֵּינוֹ לְבֵינָהּ. לְכִדְתַנְיָא: הֲרֵי זֶה גִּיטֵּךְ עַל מְנָת שֶׁלֹּא תִּשְׁתִּי יַיִן, עַל מְנָת שֶׁלֹּא תֵּלְכִי לְבֵית אָבִיךְ לְעוֹלָם — אֵין זֶה כְּרִיתוּת …
Put the "Petal" to the "Meddle" Psychology of the Daf Eruvin 14
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 22nd, 2020
Eruvin 14 אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: שְׂפָתוֹ שְׂפַת פֶּרַח שׁוֹשָׁן כְּתִיב בֵּיהּ, דִּכְתִיב: ״וְעׇבְיוֹ טֶפַח וּשְׂפָתוֹ כְּמַעֲשֵׂה כּוֹס פֶּרַח שׁוֹשָׁן אַלְפַּיִם בַּת יָכִיל״. Rav Pappa said: With regard to its brim, it is written that the brim is as the petals of a lily, as stated in the verse: “And it …
These and Those are Words of the Living G-d Psych & the Daf Eruvin 13
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 21st, 2020
Eruvin 13 אָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּא אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: שָׁלֹשׁ שָׁנִים נֶחְלְקוּ בֵּית שַׁמַּאי וּבֵית הִלֵּל, הַלָּלוּ אוֹמְרִים: הֲלָכָה כְּמוֹתֵנוּ, וְהַלָּלוּ אוֹמְרִים: הֲלָכָה כְּמוֹתֵנוּ. יָצְאָה בַּת קוֹל וְאָמְרָה: אֵלּוּ וָאֵלּוּ דִּבְרֵי אֱלֹהִ …
Rav Zeira Listened Carefully Psychology of the Daf Eruvin 12
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 21st, 2020
Eruvin 12 אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: מָבוֹי שֶׁאׇרְכּוֹ כְּרׇחְבּוֹ אֵינוֹ נִיתָּר בְּלֶחִי מַשֶּׁהוּ. אָמַר רַב חִיָּיא בַּר אָשֵׁי אָמַר רַב: מָבוֹי שֶׁאׇרְכּוֹ כְּרׇחְבּוֹ אֵינוֹ נִיתָּר בְּקוֹרָה טֶפַח. Rav Yehuda said that Rav said: Unlike other alleyways, carrying within …
Truth & Misinformation in Halakha Psychology of the Daf Eruvin 11
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 20th, 2020
אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אִי מַשְׁכַּחַתְּ לְהוּ — לָא תֵּימָא לְהוּ לְבֵי רֵישׁ גָּלוּתָא וְלָא מִידֵּי מֵהָא מַתְנִיתָא דְכִיפָּה. Rav Sheshet said to Rabba bar Shmuel: If you find them, do not say to the members of the Exilarch’s household anything with regard to this baraita of an arched gateway, as it is proof against my opinion. …
Did Rav Yosef Suffer from Burnout? Psychology of the Daf Eruvin 10
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 18th, 2020
Eruvin Daf Ten אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף: לָא שְׁמִיעַ לִי הָא שְׁמַעְתְּתָא. Rav Yosef said: I did not hear this halakha of Rabba bar Rav Huna from my teachers. Rav Yosef had become ill and forgotten his learning, which is why he could not recall the halakha that a side post that is visible from the outside is considered to have the legal status of a side post. for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psycho …
Trigger Warning Psychology of the Daf Eruvin 9
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 18th, 2020
מָצָא מִין אֶת מִינוֹ וְנֵיעוֹר. The Gemara comments: Yes, it is possible that this is the ruling, for we can say that it has found its own type and been awakened. In other words, as the area within the entranceway is not a defined domain, it doesn’t have the status of an independent domain. Therefore, when it opens into a karmelit, to which it is similar, its status is negated, and it joins with the karmeli …
The Body's In-House Pharmacy Psychology of the Daf Eruvin 8
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 17th, 2020
Eruvin ספק טומאה גמרינן מסוטה Rashi here mentions the reason why a חצר that has many people passing through is considered a private domain for Shabbos but a public domain for questions about if an object became impure is because it is learned out from the law of Sotah. for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psychology of the DAF Eruvin 8 The Sotah who was warned to not be alone with a certain man, and then it was proven …
Too Strict? Psychology of the Daf Eruvin 6
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 14th, 2020
וּמִי עָבְדִינַן כִּתְרֵי חוּמְרֵי? וְהָא תַּנְיָא: לְעוֹלָם הֲלָכָה כְּבֵית הִלֵּל, וְהָרוֹצֶה לַעֲשׂוֹת כְּדִבְרֵי בֵּית שַׁמַּאי עוֹשֶׂה, כְּדִבְרֵי בֵּית הִלֵּל עוֹשֶׂה. מִקּוּלֵּי בֵּית שַׁמַּאי וּמִקּוּלֵּי בֵּית הִלֵּל — רָשָׁע. …
Deus Ex Machina The Torah is Not in Heaven Psychology of the Daf Eruvin 7
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 14th, 2020
Maseches Eruvin Daf Sheva for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psychology of the DAF Eruvin 7 תורה לא בשמים היא Rashi References the Gemara in Bava Metzia 59b עמד רבי יהושע על רגליו ואמר (דברים ל, יב) לא בשמים היא מאי לא בשמים היא אמר רבי ירמיה שכבר נתנה תורה מהר סיני אין אנו משגיחין בבת קול שכבר כתבת בהר סיני …
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 …
Even G-d Respects Boundaries Psychology of the Daf Eruvin 4
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 13th, 2020
Eruvin Daf Dalet רש״י ד, ב ארון תשעה וכפורת טפח - ארון גובהו תשעה טפחים דכתיב (שמות כ״ה:כ״ב) ואמה וחצי קומתו וכפורת טפח הרי עשרה וכתיב ודברתי אתך מעל הכפורת ותניא בפ"ק דסוכה (ד' ה.) רבי יוסי אומר לעולם לא ירדה שכינה למטה מעשרה דכתיב השמים שמים לה' והארץ נתן לבני …
Educating a Child About Moral Responsibility Psychology of the Daf Eruvin 3
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 12th, 2020
Eruvin קדרא דבי שותפי לא חמימא ולא קרירא As people say: A pot belonging to partners is neither hot nor cold. When responsibility falls upon more than one person, each relies on the other, and ultimately the task is not completed. for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psychology of the DAF Eruvin 3 ספר חובת התלמידים רבי קלונימוס קלמן שפירא - האדמו"ר מפיאסצנה 1889-194 …
What is Torah Study? Psychology of the Daf Eruvin 2
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 11th, 2020
סוכה דאורייתא תני פסולה מבוי דרבנן תני תקנתא The Gemara answers: With regard to sukka, since it is a mitzva by Torah law, the mishna teaches that it is unfit, as if it is not constructed in the proper manner, no mitzva is fulfilled. Whereas with regard to an alleyway, where the entire prohibition of carrying is only by rabbinic law, the mishna teaches the method of rectification, as the cross beam comes …
Rupture and Reconnection Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 157
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 9th, 2020
Psychology of the Daf This Daf discusses the Biblically ordained process whereby a husband can nullify vows made by his wife within a certain window of time. The mystics could not miss the symbolism within a process of an archetypal feminine manifestation creating a vow and then having it nullified by a masculine manifestation. for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 157 I take responsibility for my interpr …
The Ego Defense of Sublimation Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 156
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 9th, 2020
הַאי מַאן דִּבְמַאְדִּים — יְהֵי גְּבַר אָשֵׁיד דְּמָא. אָמַר רַב אָשֵׁי: אִי אוּמָּנָא, אִי גַּנָּבָא, אִי טַבָּחָא, אִי מָהוֹלָא. אָמַר רַבָּה: אֲנָא בְּמַאְדִּים הֲוַאי. אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: מָר נָמֵי עָנֵישׁ וְקָטֵיל. One who was born under the influence of Mars …
At What Cost Does Change Come?
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 9th, 2020
This last Friday night I fell asleep pondering a scientific riddle: The Boro Park community suffered painful losses during the initial days of Covid. This community mostly ignored the distancing policies. Some will say, with large families and a religious lifestyle dependent on continuous communal interaction between shul, weddings, mikvah and school, they found it too hard to treat as a priority. Whatever the case may be, in th …
The Zone of Proximal Development Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 155
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 7th, 2020
As this Gemara addresses the eating habits and needs of different animals I thought to share a lovely aggadah about Dovid Hamelech and leadership. for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 155 מדרש תהילים ע״ח ויבן כמו רמים מקדשו. כשהיה דוד רועה את צאן אביו. במזמור כ"ב. לכך ויבן כמו רמים מקדשו. ויבחר בדוד עבדו וי …
A Doting Attuned Father Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 154
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 7th, 2020
Shabbos אַבָּיֵי אַשְׁכְּחֵיהּ לֵיהּ לְרַבָּה דְּקָא מְשַׁפְשֵׁף לֵיהּ לִבְרֵיהּ אַגַּבָּא דְחַמְרָא. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: קָא מִשְׁתַּמֵּשׁ מָר בְּבַעֲלֵי חַיִּים! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: צְדָדִין הֵן, וּצְדָדִין לָא גְּזַרוּ בְּהוּ רַבָּנַן. מְנָא תֵּימְרָא — ד …
Does G-d Give a Nisayon that Cannot be Overcome? Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 153
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 5th, 2020
מַאי טַעְמָא שָׁרוּ לֵיהּ רַבָּנַן לְמִיתַּב כִּיסֵיהּ לְגוֹי? קִים לְהוּ לְרַבָּנַן דְּאֵין אָדָם מַעֲמִיד עַצְמוֹ עַל מָמוֹנוֹ, אִי לָא שָׁרֵית לֵיהּ — אָתֵי לְאֵיתוֹיֵי אַרְבַּע אַמּוֹת בִּרְשׁוּת הָרַבִּים. GEMARA: We learned in the mishna: One who was tr …
Sexuality the Peacemaker and Premature Ejaculation Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 152
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 4th, 2020
Shabbos אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַבִּי לְרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן חֲלַפְתָּא: מִפְּנֵי מָה לֹא הִקְבַּלְנוּ פָּנֶיךָ בָּרֶגֶל, כְּדֶרֶךְ שֶׁהִקְבִּילוּ אֲבוֹתַי לַאֲבוֹתֶיךָ? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: סְלָעִים נַעֲשׂוּ גְּבוֹהִים, קְרוֹבִים נַעֲשׂוּ רְחוֹקִים, מִשְׁתַּיִם …
Rescuing a Child who is Off the Derech Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 151
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 2nd, 2020
shabbos for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 151 תַּנְיָא, רַבָּן שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל אוֹמֵר: תִּינוֹק בֶּן יוֹמוֹ חַי — מְחַלְּלִין עָלָיו אֶת הַשַּׁבָּת, דָּוִד מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל מֵת — אֵין מְחַלְּלִין עָלָיו אֶת הַשַּׁבָּת. תִּ …
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 …
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 …
When to Meddle and When Not Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 148
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 31st, 2020
אֶלָּא: הַנַּח לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, מוּטָב שֶׁיְּהוּ שׁוֹגְגִין וְאַל יְהוּ מְזִידִין. Rather, in these matters we rely on a different principle: Leave the Jewish people alone, and do not rebuke them. It is better that they be unwitting in their halakhic violations and that they not be intentional sinners, for if they are told about these prohibitions they may not listen anyway. for Vid …
Culture Bound Expressions of Mental Illness Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 147
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 31st, 2020
וְאֵין עוֹשִׂין אַפִּיקְטְוִיזִין בְּשַׁבָּת. אָמַר רַבָּה בַּר בַּר חָנָה אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: לֹא שָׁנוּ אֶלָּא בְּסַם, אֲבָל בַּיָּד — מוּתָּר. תַּנְיָא, רַבִּי נְחֶמְיָה אוֹמֵר: אַף בַּחוֹל אָסוּר מִפְּנֵי הֶפְסֵד אוֹכָלִין. We also learned in t …
What is Mazal? Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 146
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 29th, 2020
שֶׁבָּא נָחָשׁ עַל חַוָּה הֵטִיל בָּהּ זוּהֲמָא, יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁעָמְדוּ עַל הַר סִינַי — פָּסְקָה זוּהֲמָתָן, גּוֹיִם שֶׁלֹּא עָמְדוּ עַל הַר סִינַי — לֹא פָּסְקָה זוּהֲמָתָן. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב אַחָא בְּרֵיהּ דְּרָבָא לְרַב אָשֵׁי: גֵּרִים מַ …
The Influenceable Husband Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 145
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 29th, 2020
אִיתְּעַר בְּהוּ רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן, אֲמַר לְהוּ: דַּרְדְּקֵי! לֹא כָּךְ אָמַרְתִּי לָכֶם: ״אֱמוֹר לַחׇכְמָה אֲחוֹתִי אָתְּ״ — אִם בָּרוּר לְךָ הַדָּבָר כַּאֲחוֹתְךָ שֶׁהִיא אֲסוּרָה לְךָ — אוֹמְרֵהוּ, וְאִם לָאו — לֹא תֹּאמְרֵהוּ. Rabbi Y …
Deal or No Deal Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 144
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 28th, 2020
Shabbos 144 מִידֵּי אִירְיָא? דַּעֲרַבְיָא אַתְרָא, הָכָא — בָּטְלָה דַּעְתּוֹ אֵצֶל כׇּל אָדָם! The Gemara rejects this answer: Is this comparable? Arabia is a place, and a custom practiced in an entire country is significant. Here, with regard to the practice of the house of Menashya bar Menaḥem, who was an individual, his opinion is rendered irrelevant in relation to …
Mother's Milk and Torah Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 143
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 27th, 2020
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF THE DAF Today’s Shiur Shabbos 143
Mareh Mekomos מֵּא לְרָצוֹן וְשֶׁלֹּא לְרָצוֹן, חֲלֵב הַבְּהֵמָה שֶׁמְיוּחָד בֵּין לִקְטַנִּים בֵּין לִגְדוֹלִים, אֵינוֹ דִּין שֶׁיְּטַמֵּא בֵּין לְרָצוֹן וּבֵין שֶׁלֹּא לְרָצוֹן? אָמְרוּ לוֹ: אִם טָמֵא חֲלֵב …
Rav Lopian and the Cat Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 142
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 26th, 2020
וְהָאָמַר רָבָא לְשַׁמָּעֵיהּ: טְוִוי לִי בַּר אֲווֹזָא, וּשְׁדִי מֵיעֵיהּ לְשׁוּנָּרָא. Didn’t Rava say to his attendant on a Festival: Roast a duck for me, and throw its intestines to the cat. Moving the duck’s intestines was permitted in order to feed the cat. for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 142 Picture …
Attachment Issues Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 141
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 24th, 2020
תְּנַן: נוֹטֵל אָדָם אֶת בְּנוֹ וְהָאֶבֶן בְּיָדוֹ? אָמְרִי דְּבֵי רַבִּי יַנַּאי בְּתִינוֹק שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ גַּעֲגוּעִין עַל אָבִיו. We learned in the mishna: A person may take his son in his hands on Shabbat; and this is permitted even though there is a stone in the child’s hand. As it can be inferred from this mishna that th …
Sexual Blackmail Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 140
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 24th, 2020
נָקֵיט מַרְגָּנִיתָא בַּחֲדָא יְדֵיהּ וְכוּרָא בַּחֲדָא יְדֵיהּ. מַרְגָּנִיתָא — אַחְוִי לְהוּ, וְכוּרָא — לָא אַחְוִי לְהוּ עַד דְּמִיצְטַעֲרָן, וַהֲדַר אַחְוִי לְהוּ. In order to demonstrate the value of modesty to his daughters, Rav Ḥisda held a pearl in one hand and a clod of earth …
Sober Responses to Suffering Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 139
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 23rd, 2020
וְאָמַר רַבִּי מַלַּאי מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי יִצְחָק מַגְדְּלָאָה: מִיּוֹם שֶׁפֵּירַשׁ יוֹסֵף מֵאֶחָיו לֹא טָעַם טַעַם יַיִן, דִּכְתִיב: ״וּלְקׇדְקֹד נְזִיר אֶחָיו״. And Rabbi Mallai said in the name of Rabbi Yitzḥak from Migdal: From the day that Joseph took leave from his brothers, he did not sample a taste …
Prophecy and Ruach HaKodesh in Modern Times Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 138
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 22nd, 2020
תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: כְּשֶׁנִּכְנְסוּ רַבּוֹתֵינוּ לַכֶּרֶם בְּיַבְנֶה אָמְרוּ, עֲתִידָה תּוֹרָה שֶׁתִּשְׁתַּכַּח מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״הִנֵּה יָמִים בָּאִים נְאֻם ה׳ אֱלֹהִים וְהִשְׁלַחְתִּי רָעָב בָּאָרֶץ לֹא רָעָב לַלֶּחֶם וְלֹא צ …
True Good Deeds - No Artificial Ingredients
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 21st, 2020
Shabbos 137 תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן, הַמָּל אוֹמֵר: ״אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל הַמִּילָה״. אֲבִי הַבֵּן אוֹמֵר: ״אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַכְנִיסוֹ בִּבְרִיתוֹ שֶׁל אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ״. הָעוֹמְדִים אוֹמְרִים: ״ …
Wake Up Call Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 136
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 20th, 2020
אֲמַר לֵיהּ רָבִינָא לְרַב שֵׁרֵבְיָא: בְּאוּרְתָּא אֲמַר רָבָא הָכִי, לְצַפְרָא הֲדַר בֵּיהּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ שְׁרִיתוּהָ? יְהֵא רַעֲוָא דְּתִשְׁרוֹ תַּרְבָּא. Ravina said to Rav Sherevya: In the evening Rava indeed said so, as you said; however, in the morning he retracted his statement, and that is what I cited. Rav …
Stillborns, Miscarriages and Mourning Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 135
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 19th, 2020
אָמַר מָר: וְלֹא סָפֵק דּוֹחֶה אֶת הַשַּׁבָּת. לְאֵתוֹיֵי מַאי? לְאֵתוֹיֵי הָא דְּתָנוּ רַבָּנַן: בֶּן שִׁבְעָה, מְחַלְּלִין עָלָיו אֶת הַשַּׁבָּת. וּבֶן שְׁמוֹנָה, אֵין מְחַלְּלִין עָלָיו אֶת הַשַּׁבָּת. סָפֵק בֶּן שִׁבְעָה סָפֵק בֶּן שְׁמו …
Change and the Mesorah Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 134
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 17th, 2020
מַתְנִי׳ מַרְחִיצִין אֶת הַקָּטָן בֵּין לִפְנֵי הַמִּילָה וּבֵין לְאַחַר הַמִּילָה, וּמְזַלְּפִין עָלָיו בַּיָּד, אֲבָל לֹא בִּכְלִי. רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן עֲזַרְיָה אוֹמֵר: מַרְחִיצִין אֶת הַקָּטָן בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁי שֶׁחָל לִהְיוֹת בְּ …
Is it Permitted to Charge Fees for Medical Information Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 133
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 17th, 2020
דַּרְשַׁהּ רָבָא בְּמָחוֹזָא, קַרְעִינְהוּ בְּנֵי מִנְיוֹמֵי אָסְיָא לְמָנַיְיהוּ. אֲמַר לְהוּ: שְׁבַקִי לְכוּ חֲדָא. דַּאֲמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: הַאי מַאן דְּמָשֵׁי אַפֵּיהּ וְלָא מִנַּגֵּיב טוּבָא — נִקְטְרוּ לֵיהּ When Rava taught this cure in Meḥoza, the sons of Manyo …
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 …
The Torah as a Force of Civilization Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 131
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 15th, 2020
The Torah as a Force of Civilization and Social Justice וְמִתְּקִיעָה דְּיוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים לֵיכָּא לְמִיגְמַר — דְּאָמַר מָר: תָּקְעוּ בֵּית דִּין שׁוֹפָר, נִפְטְרוּ עֲבָדִים לְבָתֵּיהֶם וְשָׂדוֹת חוֹזְרוֹת לְבַעֲלֵיהֶן. From the sounding of the shofar of Yom Kippur, the principle that actions that …
Self-Defeating Behavior Shabbos 130 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 14th, 2020
DAF YOMI from a psychological perspective, Shabbos 130. For Mareh Mekomos, Click Belowלֵיכָּא כְּתוּבָּה דְּלָא רָמוּ בַּהּ תִּיגְרָא. for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 130 בית יוסף אה״ע קנד, מד כתוב בתשובת הרא"ש ורבי' בסי' קי"ח כתב הריב"ש בסט"ו על אדם שאין לו בנים ורצה לישא זקנה בת צ' …
Self Care Shabbos 129 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 13th, 2020
Shabbos 129 for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 129 רַב וּשְׁמוּאֵל דְּאָמְרִי תַּרְוַיְיהוּ: כׇּל הַמַּקֵּיל בִּסְעוּדַת הַקָּזַת דָּם — מְקִילִּין לוֹ מְזוֹנוֹתָיו מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם, וְאוֹמְרִים: הוּא עַל חַיָּיו לֹא חָס, אֲנִי אָחוּס עָלָיו?! I …
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 …
Encountering the Other Shabbos Daf 126 & 127
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 10th, 2020
מְפַנִּין אֲפִלּוּ אַרְבַּע וְחָמֵשׁ קֻפּוֹת שֶׁל תֶּבֶן וְשֶׁל תְּבוּאָה מִפְּנֵי הָאוֹרְחִים וּמִפְּנֵי בִטּוּל בֵּית הַמִּדְרָשׁ, אֲבָל לֹא אֶת הָאוֹצָר. One may clear away even four or five baskets of straw or produce to make room for guests or on account of the neglect of the study hall, but not the storehou …
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 …
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 …
Sinners and Saints Shabbos 123
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 7th, 2020
DAF YOMI from a psychological perspective Mareh Mekomos for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 123 אָמַר רַבִּי חֲנִינָא: בִּימֵי נְחֶמְיָה בֶּן חֲכַלְיָה נִשְׁנֵית מִשְׁנָה זוֹ, דִּכְתִיב: ״בַּיָּמִים הָהֵמָּה רָאִיתִי בִיהוּדָה דּוֹרְכִים גִּתּוֹת בַּשַּׁבָּת וּ …
Discipline of Children and Halakha Shabbos 121
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 6th, 2020
for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 121 We learned in the mishna: However, if a Jewish child comes to extinguish a fire on Shabbat, they do not listen to him and allow him to extinguish it, even though he is not yet obligated in mitzva observance, because responsibility for his rest is incumbent upon the Jew. The Gemara seeks to conclude: Learn from this that a child who eats meat from unslaughtered animals o …
It Takes a Village Shabbos 122
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 6th, 2020
for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 122 דְּנֵר לְאֶחָד נֵר לְמֵאָה Bava basra 144b תנו רבנן אחד מן האחין שנטל מאתים זוז ללמוד תורה או ללמוד אומנות יכולין האחין לומר לו אם אתה אצלנו יש לך מזונות אם אין אתה אצלנו אין לך מזונות The Sages taught: With regard to one of the br …
No Hebrew Word for Fail Shabbos 120
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 3rd, 2020
for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 120 דְּבָרִים שֶׁאֵין בְּנֵי אָדָם עוֹמְדִין עֲלֵיהֶם אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן נִכְשָׁלִים בָּהֶן. Matters of Torah that people do not ascertain unless they misunderstand them are in your hands; Isaiah 3:6 כִּֽי־יִתְפֹּ֨שׂ אִ֤ישׁ בְּאָחִיו֙ בֵּ֣ית אָבִ֔יו שׂ …
Ego Defenses Projection Shabbos 119
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 3rd, 2020
for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 119 Mareh Mekomos 119 אָמַר מָר בַּר רַב אָשֵׁי: פְּסִילְנָא לֵיהּ לְצוּרְבָּא מֵרַבָּנַן לְדִינָא. מַאי טַעְמָא? — דְּחַבִּיב עֲלַי כְּגוּפַאי, וְאֵין אָדָם רוֹאֶה חוֹבָה לְעַצְמוֹ. Mar bar Rav Ashi said: I am disqualified to sit in ju …
Identity Crisis Shabbos 118
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 2nd, 2020
for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 118 Mareh Mekomos 118b אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹסֵי: מִיָּמַי לֹא קָרִיתִי לְאִשְׁתִּי ״אִשְׁתִּי״...אֶלָּא לְאִשְׁתִּי — ״בֵּיתִי״,. Furthermore, Rabbi Yosei said that he always spoke euphemistically: In all my days, I did not call my wife, my wife, ...Rather, I called my wife, my home, becaus …
Love Lust and Oneg Shabbos, Shabbos 117
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 2nd, 2020
Mareh Mekomos 117 for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 117 117b אָמַר רַב אָשֵׁי: חֲזֵינָא לֵיהּ לְרַב כָּהֲנָא דְּנָקֵט תַּרְתֵּי וּבָצַע חֲדָא. אָמַר: ״לִקְטוּ״ כְּתִיב. רַבִּי זֵירָא הֲוָה בָּצַע אַכּוּלַּהּ שֵׁירוּתֵיהּ. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רָבִינָא לְר …
The "Principle-of-the-Thing" Excuse Shabbos 116
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
June 30th, 2020
Mareh Mekomos 116a for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 116 אָמַר רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל, קַל וָחוֹמֶר: וּמָה לַעֲשׂוֹת שָׁלוֹם בֵּין אִישׁ לְאִשְׁתּוֹ אָמְרָה תּוֹרָה: שְׁמִי שֶׁנִּכְתַּב בִּקְדוּשָּׁה יִמָּחֶה עַל הַמַּיִם, הַלָּלוּ שֶׁמְּטִילִין קִנְ …
Soul Torah Shabbos 115
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
June 29th, 2020
Mareh Mekomos for Video Shiur click here to listen: for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 115 DAF YOMI from a psychological perspective. 115 Mishna כָּל כִּתְבֵי הַקֹּדֶשׁ מַצִּילִין אוֹתָן מִפְּנֵי הַדְּלֵקָה, בֵּין שֶׁקּוֹרִין בָּהֶן וּבֵין שֶׁאֵין קוֹרִין בָּהֶן….וּמִפְּנֵ …
Resurrection of the Dead Shabbos 114 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
June 28th, 2020
Mareh Mekomos for Video Shiur click here to listen: for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 114 DAF YOMI from a psychological perspective. Mareh Mekomos 114a Rabbi Yannai say to his sons: My sons, do not bury me in white garments nor in black garments. Not in white, lest I not be acquitted in judgment, and I will be among the wicked like a groom among mourners. And not in black, lest I be acquitted in …
Shabbos Recovery Shabbos 113
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
June 28th, 2020
Mareh Mekomos for Video Shiur click here to listen: for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 113 DAF YOMI from a psychological perspective. Mareh Mekomos קרי עליה לית דין בר אינש איכא דאמרי כגון דין בר אינש אמר רבי זירא אמר רבא בר זימונא אם ראשונים בני מלאכים אנו בני אנשים ואם ראשונים בני א …
Yeridas Hadoros DeGeneration Shabbos 112
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
June 28th, 2020
Mareh Mekomos for Video Shiur click here to listen: for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 112 DAF YOMI from a psychological perspective. Mareh Mekomos קרי עליה לית דין בר אינש איכא דאמרי כגון דין בר אינש אמר רבי זירא אמר רבא בר זימונא אם ראשונים בני מלאכים אנו בני אנשים ואם ראשונים בני א …
Passive Aggressiveness Shabbos 111
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
June 25th, 2020
Mareh Mekomos for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 111 DAF YOMI from a psychological perspective. Mareh Mekomos 111 משלי י:כו כַּחֹ֤מֶץ ׀ לַשִּׁנַּ֗יִם וְכֶעָשָׁ֥ן לָעֵינָ֑יִם כֵּ֥ן הֶ֝עָצֵ֗ל לְשֹׁלְחָֽיו׃ Like vinegar to the teeth, Like smoke to the eyes, Is a lazy man to those who send him on a mission Alshich ibid דאית ביה …
Birth Control After Peru Urvu DAF YOMI Shabbos 110
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
June 25th, 2020
Mareh Mekomos for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 110 DAF YOMI from a psychological perspective. Mareh Mekomos 110b יַרְקוֹנָא תְּרֵין בְּשִׁיכְרָא, וּמִיעֲקַר. וּמִי שְׁרֵי? וְהָתַנְיָא, מִנַּיִין לַסֵּירוּס בָּאָדָם שֶׁהוּא אָסוּר — תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״וּבְאַרְצְכֶם לֹא ת …
Mind Body Connection Shabbos DAF YOMI 109
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
June 25th, 2020
Mareh Mekomos for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 109 DAF YOMI from a psychological perspective. Mareh Mekomos 109a וְאָמַר מָר עוּקְבָא: מִי שֶׁנִּגְּפָה יָדוֹ אוֹ רַגְלוֹ, צוֹמְתָהּ בְּיַיִן וְאֵינוֹ חוֹשֵׁשׁ. אִיבַּעְיָא לְהוּ: חַלָּא מַאי? אָמַר רַב הִלֵּל לְרַב אָשֵׁי: כִּ …
Shabbos 108 Psychology of the DAF
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
June 22nd, 2020
Mareh Mekomos for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 108 DAF YOMI from a psychological perspective. Shabbos 108a ויקרא א:י״ז וְשִׁסַּ֨ע אֹת֣וֹ בִכְנָפָיו֮ לֹ֣א יַבְדִּיל֒ וְהִקְטִ֨יר אֹת֤וֹ הַכֹּהֵן֙ הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חָה עַל־הָעֵצִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר עַל־הָאֵ֑שׁ עֹלָ֣ה ה֗וּא אִשֵּׁ֛ה …
Shabbos 107 Psychology of the DAF
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
June 21st, 2020
Mareh Mekomos for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 107 DAF YOMI from a psychological perspective. Shabbos 107b Yirmayahu 13:23 הֲיַהֲפֹ֤ךְ כּוּשִׁי֙ עוֹר֔וֹ וְנָמֵ֖ר חֲבַרְבֻּרֹתָ֑יו גַּם־אַתֶּם֙ תּוּכְל֣וּ לְהֵיטִ֔יב לִמֻּדֵ֖י הָרֵֽעַ׃ Can the Cushite change his skin, Or the leopard his spots? Just as much can y …
Psychology of the DAF Shabbos106
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
June 19th, 2020
Mareh Mekomos for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 106 DAF YOMI from a psychological perspective. Shabbos 106b 106b מַר רַבָּה בַּר רַב הוּנָא: הָכָא בְּצִפּוֹר דְּרוֹר עָסְקִינַן, לְפִי שֶׁאֵינָהּ מְקַבֶּלֶת מָרוּת. דְּתָנָא דְּבֵי רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל: לָמָּה נִקְרָא שְׁמָהּ ״ …
Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 105
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
June 19th, 2020
Mareh Mekomos for Video Shiur click here to listen: Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 105 DAF YOMI from a psychological perspective. Shabbos 105b רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן בֶּן נוּרִי: הַמְקָרֵע בְּגָדָיו בַּחֲמָתוֹ, וְהַמְשַׁבֵּר כֵּלָיו בַּחֲמָתוֹ, וְהַמְפַזֵּר מְעוֹתָיו בַּחֲמָתוֹ, יְהֵא בְּעֵינֶיךָ כְּעוֹבֵד ע …
Not Attracted to Your Spouse? What do you Do?
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 28th, 2020
In the mini-seminar (link below) learn about the different kinds of non-attraction and what you can do about it: (1) Reality-Based; (2) Obsessive Control Type; (3) Obsessive OCPD Type; and (4) Passive Aggressive. Note this video is part of a longer series. Although in the introduction I ask you to listen to all of the other ones in order, this particular video represents a unit to itself. click on this for the seminar Photo by …
COVID, Communal Suffering and Introspection
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 26th, 2020
The average diaspora Jew of the Twenty-First Century is unaware of the extensive Halakhic literature devoted to repentance, abstentions and fasts due to communal calamities and tragedies. In Shulkhan Arukh Orach Hayyim (572-580) there are detailed codes of when, how and what to fast for. Plagues, tornadoes, earthquakes, droughts, locust, crop blight and even economic inflation and deflation are codified with precision. The rabbis took seriously h …
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 …
Trauma and Tevila
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 10th, 2020
The following guest post is from Chaya Feuerman, LCSW-R: Trauma and Tevila Trauma is subjective and intimate to each person. This discussion will focus on cultivating sensitivity and attunement to trauma suffered by women at the mikvah, in the past, present as well as at the mikvah itself. There is no “antibody” test for trauma, to know by looking at someone, what she has been through, how it has affected her, or how it will in the fu …
Davening Zombies
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 4th, 2020
Some people do not do well without structure. Anecdotal samplings from aquaintances and clients indicate that many people are having a hard time davening properly without a minyan. In the interest of disclosure, I consider myself a “Davening Zombie in Recovery”. For the first four decades of my life, I found davening to be mostly joyless, robtic and of dubious value. To be sure, I did not disrespect prayer and …
Abortion Early Pregnancy Loss Trauma and Shame
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 28th, 2020
The following is a guest post from Chaya Feuerman, LCSW-R
You lost your baby. You’re no longer pregnant. It’s a long story. You don’t want to talk about it. The doctors. The Rabbis. The Dayan. They all said you had to do it. You can’t talk about it. Nobody knows what really happened. Your husband refuses to talk to you about the baby. He doesn’t want you to bring it up ever again. You must move on. Everyo …
The SHALA"H and Corona Virus
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 21st, 2020
I quoted the Rambam in a prior blog posts about his rationalist approach, even to the extent that he blames the destruction of the Temple on the Jewish government's reliance on superstition such as Astrology instead of developing military strategy. Some might say, "Well, that is the Rambam who was a rationalist, but other more mystical minded sages and tzadikkim would trust in Hashem more." Check out simcha feuerman's youtube channel …
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 …
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 …
Unorthodox Trauma
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 12th, 2020
The following post is written by my wife Chaya Feuerman, LCSW-R who is guesting in this blog: Trauma takes many forms. Many people are blocked from living life as their best Selves due to past or present traumatic experiences. Some people don't even recognize that their experiences have traumatized them and are the cause of difficulties in how they respond to life's stressors including their relationships. Traumatic events are frighteni …
The Fault is Not in Our Stars
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 5th, 2020
When tragedies happen, we reflect. I wish I was referring to the tragedy of Corona Virus, but that’s as they say, a halber tzura. Instead, I am referring to the bizarre manner in which many of our Jewish brethren ignored warnings and signs about the dangers of this virus. Certain strongholds of religious Jews have been violating in small degrees, and sometimes large, the social distancing safety practices. Shuls stayed ope …
Abuse by Insurance Companies
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 28th, 2020
Despite the fact that the NYS Department of Financial Services issued an order waiving all copays and deductibles for tele-health visits, some insurance companies continue to ignore the ruling. The order is explicit in stating that it is both for COVID-19 and non-COVID cases, as well as mental health, The ruling can be found at this url : https://www.dfs.ny.gov/reports_and_publications/press_releases/pr20203171 Here is the relevant quote:& …
No Means Yes
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 26th, 2020
In a previous blog post titled, “Love and the Holy of Holies”, I wrote about how the relationship between G-d and the Jewish people can be compared to a marriage. In this essay, we will take a closer look at a fascinating lessons from Midrashic accounts of G-d’s stormy emotional relationship with the Jewish people: Often, couples get stuck in escalating cycles of hurtful attacks. In particular, couples who are emotionally needy …
Silver Linings from Corona
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 23rd, 2020
We must consider several silver linings coming from Corona Virus: It is offering us all time to slow down, study, reflect and reconnect with ourselves and family We are learning that Jewish weddings and other life-cycle celebrations can be intimate and small without requiring extravagant expense and large crowds. Can you imagine how much easier financial life will be on Jewish families if this trend continues after Corona? …
Coping with Anxiety
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LSCW-R
March 18th, 2020
Coping with Anxiety video by Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LSCW-R Photo by Aarón Blanco Tejedor on Unsplash …
Corona Virus - Is G-d Punishing Us?
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 18th, 2020
It is impressive how the world is handling the Corona Virus crisis with relative sanity and maturity. Rabbis and community leaders have made hard and fast decisions to protect people by closing shuls and yeshivos. I am hoping to encourage this trend of wise and less reactionary rhetoric by suggesting that we not indulge in the typical G-d-is-punishing-us-refrain . Such as, “the shuls are being closed middah k’negged middah because we …
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 …
Sounding out G-d’s Name
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 3rd, 2020
My early childhood school years were full of joy of learning. I attended a local Day School of which my father then served as its principal. The mornings were taught Ivrit B’Ivrit, which sparked my lifelong love affair with the beauty of l’shon kodesh. In the summer of first grade I was reading fluently in Hebrew and English. Significantly, this school worked on language foundations so we had as yet to learn Chumash. We read from read …
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 …
Do Not Cut that Wire!
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
January 18th, 2020
From time to time I meet with a couple suffering from anxiety related sexual dysfunctions who also have halakhic questions connected to the problem. Some of the halakhic questions are complex and hard to answer and others are simply a matter of not having been educated properly by their chosson or kallah instructors. When I ask if they have consulted with a rabbi about their halakhic questions, some will say they are too embarrassed, …
Bring Back the Chapsem
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
January 1st, 2020
I grew up in a neighborhood and a time where anti semitism was normal . We were spit at, threatened, and had our bikes stolen fairly consistently. I never realized how much it hurt. All of the sudden now a lot of trauma is coming back to me and I’m reliving it for the first time. I am angry and physically sick about it. A few days ago, just passing on the street a bunch of High School aged kids mumbled racial epithets at me. I’m not o …
Spiritual Spam Filter Set to High
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 27th, 2019
Spiritual Spam Filter Set to High I think we are so used to getting spiritual “spam” that we filter out important messages. It is a challenge to stay mindful and consciously connected to G-d in our daily routines. Some examples of spiritual spam include making blessings without paying attention, offering serious prayers such as Kaddish or Birkot Hashachar while winding tefilin and folding and unfolding the talit, and studying sacred t …
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 …
Book Review: I Am for My Beloved
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 16th, 2019
Book Review I Am for My Beloved A Guide for Enhanced Intimacy for Married Couples David S. Ribner and Talli Y. Rosenbaum Imagine one day, on the eve of the Pesach Seder, Eliyahu HaNavi issued a special hora’at Sha’ah, commanding all the Jews to eat a Ham and Cheese sandwich while reclining at the Seder instead of the usual Matzah and Maror. Even the most devout believers would have great difficulty fulfilling this unusual …
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 …
Book Review: Modern Man in Search of a Soul by Carl Gustav Jung
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 28th, 2019
Carl Gustav Jung was originally a student of Freud, but it was in matters of religion and spirituality that he began to differ, and eventually broke away from his teacher and mentor. Jung was keenly interested in religion and spiritual process and how they related to his empirical studies of psychology. Jung’s Analytical Psychology provides a superb foundation for developing a religion-friendly psychological approach. Like Freu …
Tephiliphobia
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 15th, 2019
I have noticed a sociological psychological phenomenon amongst a segment of religious clients. Certain otherwise observant people do not lay tefillin. From anecdotal evidence, it occurs with greater frequency than other lapses. Individuals who otherwise observe kashrus, shabbos (even not using smartphones) still seem to have difficulty with tefillin. Logically, it is perplexing because tefillin as a mitzvah can be performed in approxi …
As If Forced by A Demon. Psychological and Jewish Perspectives on Sexuality
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 27th, 2019
According to Torah values, is it considered proper to enjoy sexuality and all forms of amorous expression within the bounds of marriage, or is a more ascetic orientation the proper path? Jewish tradition has apparent contradictory directives in regard to sensuality, sexual pleasure and abnegation. Recommendations of various Talmudic sages range from total denial of pleasure, such as dispensing with the sexual act “as if forced by a de …
Transgender Persons, Halakhic and Psychological Perspectives
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 6th, 2019
A prominent member of the community, born as an Orthodox male, with a wife and several married and unmarried children, announces to his family and friends that he no longer can live as a man. He tells his community that he has felt all along to be a woman, and finds it unbearable to continue with this charade. He has begun hormonal and surgical treatments, and is now dressing like a woman. His children, advisors, friends, are stupefied. Th …
Unconditional Love?
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 21st, 2019
Joseph was one of those impossible teenagers. He was sullen, absorbed in computer games and social media. He refused to have even a slightly pleasant or respectful conversation with his parents. His grades in school were awful and any time his parents tried to talk to him about it, the discussion would degrade into shouting and cursing. The fighting sometimes became frighteningly aggressive, especially between Joseph and his dad. Joseph&rs …
Anger Problem? Anger Solution!
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
June 23rd, 2019
Marc considers himself an overall decent guy, he cares for his wife and children and is a hard worker. Once in a while, when people really push his buttons he loses his temper -- he can say abusive statements such as name-calling and also physically punches the wall. His wife says it is unbearable and frightening to her and the kids and he needs help. It doesn’t seem like such a big deal to him, but he must concede that his fath …
When Torah and Your Emotional Needs Conflict
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 2nd, 2019
When Torah and Your Emotional Needs Don’t Feel Compatible Persons who go through therapy and find access to their deeper feelings can become aware of conflicts that others may not be consciously aware of. For example, unfortunately there are a number of people who habitually talk in Shul. Some may get serious, develop self control, begin to appreciate the value of prayer and solemnity, and stop this behavior. Others may continue for …
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 …
An Analysis of Halachos of Kneeling for Persons in Twelve Step Recovery
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 24th, 2019
There are some people in the course of their 12 step work who find connecting to G-d via kneeling to be an important part of their recovery. There is a degree of cultural inhibition regarding kneeling for Jewish people, as this is not our customary form of worship. Below is an analysis of the pertinent halachic issues. The verse states in Vayikra 26:1 “…and a Maskis stone shall not be placed in your land to bow upon it.” …
A Bird and a Fish can Fall in Love...
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 17th, 2019
In Fiddler on the Roof, Tevye exclaims in frustration to his daughter who is considering a marriage outside of the faith, “A bird and a fish can fall in love, but where would they build their home?” Today, many couples find themselves in a position of religious disparity. Whether they started out in the same religious position and one turned more religious and the other less, or they married under this circumstance, it challeng …
Adar and Goldilocks
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 10th, 2019
This year is a Jewish leap year. The Jewish calendar is based on a combination of lunar and solar inputs; specifically, the months follow the Moon, however the seasons follow the Sun. Since 12 lunar months only add up to 354 days, it is approximately 11 days short of a solar year. The rabbis understood from the Biblical directive to guard the month of spring, that they needed to add in a leap month (Adar II) approximately every 3 year …
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 …
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- …
Davening: Terminable and Interminable
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 15th, 2018
As a son of a community Rabbi and Principal, one of my earliest memories is DREADING the High Holy Days. I used to literally count how many days it was until next Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur like most kids would count how many days before school starts. Being a child of a public role model, I was expected at an early age to sit quietly and attentively during prayers. To make matters worse, in my childhood there was no genre of English Judaica. W …
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 …
Crime and Punishment
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
January 1st, 2018
Reprinted from the Jewish Press Sometimes we can be most cruel to ourselves. The inner voice can be filled with condemnation and hate. There are people that are barely aware of how harsh they treat themselves on the inside. If they would take a moment of mindfulness to actually hear their inner dialogue it might be something like, “You are a bad person”, “You are lazy”, and best of al …
מילי דהספידא על אבי ומורי זכר צדיק לברכה
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 1st, 2017
מילי דהספידא על אבי ומורי זכר צדיק לברכה מאת: הרב שמחה פוירמן ביום שלישי, כ״ט אלול תשע״ז הרב חיים יהושע בן אברהם פוירמן סים מלהגיד שיעורו האחרון בישיבה אוניברסיטי, מכון לחינוך ״עזריאלי״. אמר לאחד ממשרתיו, ״חכה לי, שצריך אני לנוח קצת״, ואז יצאה …
Throwing a Desk at the Rebbe
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 30th, 2017
Throwing a Desk at the Rebbe Hesped for my father, Rabbi Dr. Chaim Feuerman ZT'L (Reprinted from the Jewish Press) On Tuesday evening, September 19, 2017, 29 Elul 5777 Rabbi Dr. Chaim Feuerman finished giving his two classes at Yeshiva University, said “I need to take a few minutes to rest”, and then stopped breathing. The petira of this giant of a man, on Erev Rosh Hashana has many connotations. One of the most meaningful …
Narcissism, Marriage and Judaism
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 24th, 2017
Narcissism, Marriage and Judaism Personality disorders, unlike many forms of mental illness, are not merely an illness, but also can be at least partially due to poor morality, or in Jewish terms, bad middos. Whatever fears, insecurities and distorted ideas that take place within the heart and mind of a person suffering from a Personality Disorder alone are not enough to cause selfish, manipulative or abusive behavior, without also making poor be …
Religious Bullying
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 21st, 2017
Religious Bullying By Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, LCSW-R & Chaya Feuerman, LCSW-R Reprinted Courtesy of the Jewish Press What is faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound…is it Superman? No, not in this article. Rather, it is the halakhic shaalah! Think about it. How many times have you been involved in an organization, shul, workgroup, or inte …
Doubts and Defensiveness
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 21st, 2017
Defensiveness and Doubts By Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, LCSW-R Chaya Feuerman, LCSWR (First appeared in print in the Jewish Press) Defensiveness is one of the most destructive traits in relationships. According to the research of John Gottman, Ph.D. if one spouse is observed as behaving defensively toward the other spouse’s concerns there is strong correlation with marital disharmony and ultimately, divorce. Defensiveness can be defi …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 25th, 2016
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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 …
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 …
The Psychology Of Torah Sheb'al Peh
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 19th, 2016
The Psychology of Torah Sheba’al Peh Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, LCSW-R Psychology of the Oral Torah (Originally Printed in the Jewish Press) We read in Megillas Esther (9:27): “They affirmed and accepted upon themselves…” There is a redundancy in the phrase, “affirmed and accepted”, and based on this, the Gemara (Shavuous 39a) comments: “We understand the Jews accepted the Torah at Har Sinai, b …
The Psychotherapy Client's Bill of Rights and Responsibilities
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 16th, 2015
The Psychotherapy Client’s Bill of Rights and Responsibilities by Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, LCSW-R Chaya Feuerman, LCSW-R Going for therapy means different things for different people. For some, it is a dreaded last resort measure, only to be used when a person’s life or marriage is utterly falling apart. For others, it is less stigmatized and more routine – almost like going for physical therapy, not so convenient but neces …