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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 17th, 2024

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

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 …

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 …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 28th, 2023

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

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, …

Do Not Follow Every Middah of Hashem Sotah 14 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 9th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph enumerates the ways in which Hashem shows kindness, and how we should emulate this in our conduct: הַלֵּךְ אַחַר מִדּוֹתָיו שֶׁל הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מָה הוּא מַלְבִּישׁ עֲרוּמִּים דִּכְתִיב וַיַּעַשׂ ה׳ אֱלֹהִים לְאָדָם וּלְאִשְׁתּוֹ כׇּתְנוֹת עוֹר וַיַּלְבִּשֵׁם אַף …

Do Not Forget You Are a Jew Nazir 45 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 9th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses Moshe bringing Yosef’s bones out of Egypt. There is a Midrash that gives us Moshe’s behind-the-scenes reaction to this. (The Midrash is obscure but quoted by the Baale Tosafos in Hadar Zekeinim Shemos 13:19): Moshe complains to God, “Why is it that Yoseph merited, at least, to be buried in the land of Israel, and not I?” God answered, “Yoseph called himself a Jew, and you did not.&r …

Do Not Rush Development Kesuvos 57 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 1st, 2022

It is an important psychological principle that once a developmental window closes, it is much harder to re-open it.  For example, there is an optimum time for toilet training, when the 2-3 year old shows interest in mastery over his or her body.  If parents encourage this collaboratively, the child will enjoy meeting one of the first challenges in life — to renunciate instincts in favor of social status and competency.  If t …

Do Not Scapegoat the Leader Bava Kamma 52 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 24th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the legal technicalities of how an acquisition of a flock of sheep is finalized: Reish Lakish says in the name of Rabbi Yannai: With regard to one who sells a flock of sheep to another, once he conveys the mashkukhit to the buyer, he has acquired the flock. But what is this “mashkukhit”? It is referring to the goat that goes at the front of the flock that they follow. The Gemara notes: This explanati …

Do Not Take Any Phrase in the Talmud Lightly Yevamos 56 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 2nd, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis uses an unusual phrase:  וְאַנְהֲרִינְהוּ לְעַיְינִין “He illuminated our eyes”. This phrase occurs only four times in Shas (Yevamos 35a, 56b, 58a and Bava Basra 53b), all with Rav Sheshes being the one who enlightened the other rabbis, and the author being Rav Amram. There are a number of biographical details about Rav Sheshes that can help solve this puzzle:  Rav Sheshes r …

Do the Details Count? Yevamos 33 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 9th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph continues a discussion from the previous Amud. One case under consideration is when a non-cohen eats from a chattas bird offering. Since the bird sin offering is slaughtered in an unusual manner, through melika, it is also considered to be a non-slaughtered corpse, aside from also being a sacrificial food forbidden to a non-cohen. To clarify, a typical bird or beast must be slaughtered from the front of the neck in a slic …

Do We Dehumanize the Other? Bava Kamma 49 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 21st, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph compares a Canaanite slave to a donkey, in a sense that it is property that can be bought and sold (Am Hadomeh Lechamor). This Talmudinc dictum has been used to accuse Jews of having legal basis for treating non-Jews as if they were animals.  Later in this article, I will discuss some of the meanings to this verse and allusion, but I first feel compelled to respond defensively in a global manner.  One should nev …

Do We Have the Right to Argue with God? Gittin 12 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 28th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses practical and legal dimensions of slave ownership, responsibilities of slave to master and master to slave. However, there are also ways to read them as derash, hinting at our experiences as slaves in Egypt.  Let us look at each teaching, and then see if they are allusions to our own slavery: ! עַבְדָּא דִּנְהוֹם כְּרֵסֵיהּ לָא שָׁוֵיא, לְמָרֵיהּ וּלְמָר …

Doctor’s Orders Gittin 72 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 26th, 2023

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

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 …

Does God Owe Us Reward? Bava Kamma 7 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 9th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph notes that the Hebrew form of Yeshalem (“He shall pay”) connotes being involuntarily forced to pay, as opposed to the passive tense, Yushlam (“Payment shall occur” or “It shall be paid”). The Sefer Daf al Daf quotes a question from the Parashas Derachim (Derush 26). Rus Rabbah (5:4) records a seemingly superfluous comment on the following verse (Rus 2:12): יְשַׁלֵּ֥ם ה׳ יְ …

Does God Trust Your Repentance? Nazir 64 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 29th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the idea that a person is considered eligible to be counted as part of the Paschal sacrifice once he completes the rituals of purification, even though he will not become fully purified until after the Sun sets.  The Gemara employs a formulation known as, “Shimsha Memeyla Arev - The Sun sets by itself”, i.e. the person has completed all the activities he must do, and since the Sun will set of its …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 27th, 2022

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

Does Religion Make People Anxious? Bava Metzia 9 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 8th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the method of acquisition known as “chatzer = courtyard”, where an object can be acquired by being placed in the person’s domain. A mobile courtyard, such as vessels to be acquired that are placed on one’s moving animal, cannot acquire the objects.  However, a boat is not considered mobile despite moving on the water, as the subjective experience is one of relative stability and stand …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 18th, 2023

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

Does the Study of the Hypothetical Have Practical Value? Sanhedrin 15 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 1st, 2025

Our Gemara discusses how many judges are required to preside over the case of an animal that gores, determining that it requires 23 judges, similar to a human capital case. The Gemara then poses a hypothetical question: What would be the status of an animal that ascended Mount Sinai during the time it was forbidden? The relevant verses describe the temporary sanctity conferred upon Mount Sinai prior to the revelation and the giving of the Torah ( …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 22nd, 2022

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

Does This Feel Like Exile? Bava Basra 60 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 23rd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses various customs of abstention from demonstrations of joy, pleasure and material wealth in order to honor and internalize being contrite over our exile.   One of the challenges in our a time of relative prosperity is to honestly feel a sense of mourning and loss. We have to recall events from the Holocaust, or more recently October 7, and the general rise of antisemitism to arouse a mood of dread. It is impor …

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 …

Doing What He Wants Bava Basra 79 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 12th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph uses a play on words from a verse (Numbers 21:30) to describe the fate of the sinner who denies that God will hold him accountable: ונשים עד־נפח אשר עד־מידבא  We have wrought desolation at Nophah, which is by Medva The name of this place, Medva, also is a pun indicating that God will eventually bring justice and “do as He pleases.” (“Ad De-Baiy”, in Aramaic means “w …

Don’t Be Nile-istic Kiddushin 16 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 29th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph delves into the scenario of a Jew, due to poverty, selling himself as a slave to a gentile. Responsibility falls upon fellow Jewish brethren to redeem him from this spiritually detrimental environment. Tosafos and the Tosafos Harosh debate whether it would be permissible to employ subterfuge and trickery to redeem the Jewish slave if the asking price is unaffordable. In the leaflet "Misaviv Lashulkhan," Rav Elchanan Peret …

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 …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 27th, 2023

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

Don’t Blow Off Mitzvos Nedarim 16 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 10th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis references the concept of Mitzvos Lav Leyhanos Nitnu.  That is, the observance of a Mitzvah is not based on experiencing any pleasure.  Thus, in theory if one made a vow to not receive any benefit from an object, in certain circumstances, he may still utilize it in the performance of a mitzvah. If a person vowed not to receive benefit from a shofar, he can still use it to blow on Rosh Hashanah, as the mitzvah is …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 5th, 2023

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

Don’t Come Home Late Kesuvos 62 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 6th, 2022

How important is it to keep your word, even about the small things? I believe that trust, not just the literal kind, but the deep emotional kind, is built on consistent and reliable connection. If you say you’ll be home by a certain time, or will complete a certain task, keep your word. If you can’t, send an update. Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells as tragic story of a righteous man who was unable to keep his word, which highlights the d …

Don’t Fight, Get Divorced Kesuvos 81 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 25th, 2022

There are times where ambiguity and uncertainty is more painful than direct confrontation, even if the confrontation is objectively more damaging than the pending-but-not-certain-to-be-realized event.  Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses an interesting psychological phenomenon, but to understand it in context we need to learn the sugya for a bit. If a man does Yibum he inherits the kesuba from his deceased brother which becomes re-activated fo …

Don’t Get Hit With a Big Bill at the End of Your Stay Bava Metzia 88 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 26th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud beis references the Biblical directive (Devarim 23:25) to allow a field laborer to eat from the food as he is harvesting, so long as he not abuse the privilege by hoarding:   כִּ֤י תָבֹא֙ בְּכֶ֣רֶם רֵעֶ֔ךָ וְאָכַלְתָּ֧ עֲנָבִ֛ים כְּנַפְשְׁךָ֖ שָׂבְעֶ֑ךָ וְאֶֽל־כֶּלְיְךָ֖ לֹ֥א תִתֵּֽן׃    When you enter a fellow [Is …

Don't Hog a Mitzvah Kiddushin 53 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 5th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us that the modest Cohanim would not enter the fray to grab a portion of the Lechem Hapanim, despite it being a mitzvah to eat. On a practical halakhic level, this teaching is used as a source and reminder that it does not bring honor to a mitzvah if you fight over it, as we can see in Baer Heytev OC 53:27. However, is this teaching so clear-cut? The Gemara (Yoma 39a) provides more detail to the story: In the times …

Don’t Invite a Heavenly Audit Bava Basra 94 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 27th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses an interesting psychological and legal phenomenon. There are certain thresholds of defects or deficiencies in a purchased item which are tolerated, if not expected. Therefore, while one is not allowed to deliberately adulterate grains or beans, if a minor and typical amount of dirt, sediment or pebbles etc are found in the mixture, the buyer has no recourse. Furthermore, if he finds the product to have an amount …

Don’t Kill Off Ideas Kesuvos 31 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 5th, 2022

Our ideas and our thoughts are metaphorically our offspring.  When a person formulates an idea, he or she goes through a process of “conception”, literally and metaphorically.  The execution of the idea, bringing it from conception to delivery, is the final birth of the thought, as it now becomes action.  Our sages teach us, “The main progeny of the righteous are their good deeds.” (Rashi Bereishis 6:9, base …

Don’t Let Feelings “Into-Fear” Bava Basra 123 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 21st, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph recounts a story that illustrates the intense drama and intrigue surrounding Yaakov as he navigated the cunning deceit of his father-in-law, Lavan:   Yaakov and Rachel engaged in a significant exchange before their marriage. Yaakov proposed to Rachel, and she responded by warning him, “Yes, but my father is a deceitful person, and you cannot outwit him.” She explained that her father, Lavan, would never a …

Don’t Miss the Full Story Bava Basra 41 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 5th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses an interesting judicial ethic, based on a verse in Mishle (31:8) that one must help the mute express himself.  Even though a judge must be careful not to show bias nor advocate for a particular side, if he sees the person is having difficulty expressing himself because he is nervous or cannot organize his thoughts, he may “judiciously” offer him help (see Shulkhan Arukh Choshen Mishpat 17:9). &n …

Don’t Overplay the “God Card” Bava Basra 39 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 2nd, 2024

Our Gemara at the end of amud aleph into amud beis makes a rule regarding a situation when negative and critical speech, l’shon hara, is permitted:   כֹּל מִילְּתָא דְּמִתְאַמְרָא בְּאַפֵּי תְּלָתָא, לֵית בָּהּ מִשּׁוּם לִישָּׁנָא בִּישָׁא   Rabba bar Rav Huna says: Any matter that is said in the presence of three people is not subject to the prohibitio …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 23rd, 2024

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

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 …

Don’t Shoot the Messenger Bava Basra 152 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 24th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a type of legal deed known as a dayetikei. While this document shares similarities with other legal titles and deeds, it often specifically refers to a will or an estate bequeathal. A beautiful Midrash (Yalkut Shimoni, Nach 968) uses the term dayetikei in a parable to explore humanity’s relationship with desires and the Evil Inclination (Yetzer Hara): There was a man who frequently traveled to an inn for bu …

Don’t Shrei Over Spilt Milk (Into Meat) Yevamos 83 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 29th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis states the famous halakhic principle that one cannot make another person’s possession forbidden. For example, if I declare an object of my friend’s to be my god and object of worship and bow to it, it does not become a forbidden object that must be destroyed, unlike if the owner had done that. A person has no authority over another person’s possessions. Tosafos (“Ein”) raises a question about …

Don’t Suppress Feminine Instinct Kesuvos 59 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 2nd, 2022

  Elsewhere in Psychology of the Daf (Moed Kattan 9, Ta’anis 13, and Yevamos 34) we discussed the importance of beauty. It is a natural feminine instinct to want to appear attractive, and like any instinct, the Torah approach is to respect it and work with it without overindulgence or excessive asceticism. (See Rambam Deos, chapters 1-2.) Our Gemara on Amud Beis brings up this idea as well, however I think it may be misinterpreted by o …

Don’t Waste a Good Parking Space Yevamos 12 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 18th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a valuable moral principle: “A person should not pour the leftover water from his well when others are in need of it.”. In our Gemara’s case, it refers to a situation where there are two co-wives and one can do chalitza to either. If one of them is already invalid for marriage to a cohen, he should choose to do chalitza to her. Thus, the other widow could have a chance to marry a cohen in the f …

Doomed or Not, It is Up to God Bava Metzia 24 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 22nd, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph speaks of situations where an object faces inevitable doom, such as a lion is about to consume a sheep.  Even if this is in front of the owners and they protest that they are not giving up, since the consensus reality is that the objects are doomed, it is a de facto giving up (see Shulchan Aruch CM 259:7).  The rescuer may take full possession of the object.   Yismach Moshe (Shemos 30) uses this legality as …

Double Binds in Relationships Nazir 39 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 3rd, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph mentions in passing elderly men who dye their beards black to appear younger. This raises a question because there is a prohibition for men to dye their hair, as it is considered a feminine activity, and therefore a violation of a man appearing as a woman. (See Makkos 20b and Shulkhan Arukh OH 340:1). However, one might simply say this Gemara is talking about gentile elders, and from the context of the general discussion, …

Double Standards Bava Kamma 111 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 21st, 2024

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

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 …

Dr. Fauci and Talmud Bavli Sotah 7 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 5th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses various traditions of what is stated to the Sotah, in order to encourage her to confess (assuming she is guilty) and avoid the Ordeal of the bitter Waters: וְאוֹמֵר לָהּ בִּתִּי הַרְבֵּה יַיִן עוֹשֶׂה הַרְבֵּה שְׂחוֹק עוֹשֶׂה הַרְבֵּה יַלְדוּת עוֹשָׂה הַרְבֵּה שְׁכֵנִים הָרָעִים עוֹשִׂין And additi …

Due Process Sanhedrin 16 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 2nd, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph describes the process by which the Davidic monarchy determined whether to engage in warfare, once the king proposed this course of action: "The Sages immediately sought advice from Ahithophel to determine whether or not it was appropriate to go to war at that time and how they should conduct themselves; and they consulted the Sanhedrin in order to receive the requisite permission to wage a war under those circumstances; a …

Dying for Reassurance Kesuvos 70 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 14th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the principal of Mitzvah Lekayyem Divrei Hames, it is a mitzvah to follow he instructions and fulfill the wishes of the deceased. What is the reason for this principle?  We might consider that it is for practical reasons, in order to effectuate the legal transfer of assets without complex kinyanim or contracts, since a person who is about to die may not have the time or tools to execute a proper will and te …

Dying Regrets Kiddushin 64 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 16th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph makes an assertion that a person is much more likely to tell the truth when he is on his deathbed. When faced with imminent death, a person realizes what is truly important. A close colleague who was fighting terminal cancer told me that he was no longer afraid of people's opinions or bothered by small things. How true that was, and yet such focus and awareness of truth does not come often without such "gifts." The Gemara …

Dying to Be Heard Gittin 15 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 31st, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the ethical and legal concept of a מִצְוָה לְקַיֵּים דִּבְרֵי הַמֵּת It is a mitzvah to fulfill the directives of the dead. There are halakhic discussions over what extent it is legally binding, and under what circumstances, but there also seems to be some consensus that, regardless of the legality, there is a moral obligation to fulfill the wishes of the deceased. Why is this so? Th …

Dying to Live Gittin 28 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 13th, 2023

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

Early Admissions Bava Kamma 64 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 5th, 2024

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

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 8th, 2023

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

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 …

Easy Does It Kiddushin 17 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 30th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph employs a proverb, stating, "If you try to grab too much, you will not grasp anything. If you grasp a measured amount, you will succeed in retaining it." This principle holds significant weight in human development and behavior. The inclination to undertake vast projects in a sweeping manner, especially during times of impatience and frustration with moral sentiments, is a common occurrence. However, drastic changes often …

Echo Chamber Sanhedrin 9 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 26th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the status of a person’s ability to testify about himself. We have a general rule that close relatives are disqualified from serving as witnesses for each other. Extending this logic, a person is considered his own close relative and, therefore, cannot give testimony about himself. The Maharal (Gur Aryeh, Bereishis 46:15) expands on this idea, offering a profound insight into the role of the opposite gende …

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 …

Effectiveness of Forced Confession Bava Basra 167 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 9th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph records a situation where the sage Abaye suspected through circumstantial evidence that he was being presented with a fraudulent contract. It states that he exerted some form of pressure and coercion in order to induce a confession, and indeed the person did confess. This brings up an interesting point of the reliability of forced confessions. As a result of DNA testing and the Innocence Project there have been numerous s …

Effort versus Trust in God Kiddushin 59 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 5th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the halakhic and moral injunctions against jumping the line and grabbing an item that another person resolved to acquire. A person who does so is labeled as wicked. Tosafos raises a contradiction based on a teaching in Bava Metzi’a (10a), where we learn that if someone sees a presumably ownerless object and falls upon it to acquire it, while another actually grabs it with his hands and acquires it. The hal …

Efron’s Emptiness Bava Basra 61 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 25th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses various implied conditions and additions in the sale of property. Within that discussion Rashbam notes that one cannot use a price as indicator of how much or how few extras were included in the property, because we have a general principle that there’s no such thing as overcharging or undercharging when it comes to real estate. Unlike chattel, real estate varies in price greatly and what is considered over …

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 …

Embryonic Love Bava Basra 142 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 14th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis describes how Shmuel went to significant lengths to ensure the publicity of a particular halakhic ruling: “Shmuel said to Rav Ḥana of Baghdad: Go out and bring me an assembly of ten men, and I will say a halakha to you in their presence, so that it will be well publicized. The halakha was: With regard to one who transfers ownership of an item to a fetus, the fetus acquires the item.” This case raises an inter …

Emotional Amnesty Kesuvos 89 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 3rd, 2022

Our Gemara on amud aleph mentions the institution of Prosbol.  Since this year many have written prosbols on erev Rosh Hashanah, I thought reflect on this remarkable takanna. In a magnificent utopia blend between capitalism and socialism, the Torah accepts fair trade and commerce but also places certain limits to protect people from sinking into irrevocable poverty.  The Torah asks that creditors forgive debts at the end of the Shemitta …

Emotional Holding Nazir 12 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 3rd, 2023

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

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 …

Emptiness and Longing Kiddushin 81 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 2nd, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses how during the festivals, because it was a time of overall rejoicing and mingling of many people, there was a greater susceptibility to sexual transgressions. (Some say this is the source for the custom of fasting "Behaab" after Pesach and Succos.) Tiferes Yosef (Shavuos 15) provides a spiritual and psychological insight. Yom Tov induces a joyful state that, when properly channeled, leads to attachment to God. G …

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 …

Enforced Dignity Bava Basra 64 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 28th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis continued the discussion of several dappim regarding the dispute between Rabbi Akiva and the Rabbis over the attitude of the seller. Is he generous of spirit (ayin yaffa) or more parsimonious attitude, with halachic outcomes that indicate which extras get sold along with the property.   Recognizing this pattern of behavior and emotion, Meshech Chochmah (Behar) explains this as the intention of the verses that introduc …

Entrusted Possessions Bava Kamma 29 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 1st, 2023

Our Gemara on amud beis informs us of a legality involving a twilight zone of ownership and non-ownership:   The Gemara states that there are two entities that are not in a person’s legal possession and nevertheless the verse rendered them as though they were in his possession with regard to certain halakhic responsibilities. And these are: A pit that he dug in the public domain and leavened bread remaining in his possession on the eve …

Environmental Impact Study Bava Basra 12 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 7th, 2024

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

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 16th, 2023

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

Erev Yom Tov Madness Kesuvos 102 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 14th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis, cautioning against allowing a young child to be taken care of family custodians who have a stake in his inheritance, relates a macabre story:
תַנְיָא: מִי שֶׁמֵּת וְהִנִּיחַ בֵּן קָטָן לְאִמּוֹ, יוֹרְשֵׁי הָאָב אוֹמְרִים: יְהֵא גָּדֵל אֶצְלֵנוּ, וְאִמּוֹ אוֹמֶרֶת: יְהֵא בְּנִי גָּדֵל אֶצְלִי …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 17th, 2022

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

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 …

Even God Says Please Kesuvos 93 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 7th, 2022

Since God can do anything but also gives humans free will to make moral choices, we may surmise that He chooses to let us choose. Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses acquisition of real estate by walking along the borders of the property. There is a discussion amongst the Rishonim (see Rashi and Tosafos) about the precise nature of this demonstration of ownership. Regardless, there is a Biblical precedent in Hashem’s invitation to Avraham to …

Even the Fetuses Have Contempt Sotah 41 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 9th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the ethical and characterological problem of flattering sinners: וְאָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: כׇּל אָדָם שֶׁיֵּשׁ בּוֹ חֲנוּפָּה — אֲפִילּוּ עוּבָּרִין שֶׁבִּמְעֵי אִמָּן מְקַלְּלִין אוֹתוֹ,  And Rabbi Elazar says: Any person who has flattery in him, even fetuses in their mothers’ wombs curse him …

Every Great Story Begins With A Snake Pesachim 10 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 1st, 2020

Every Great Story Begins With A Snake - Nicolas Cage And if you say that sometimes one goes down into the pit for some requirement of his, and he will come to eat it, with regard to a loaf that was in the mouth of a snake, is it necessary for him to bring a snake charmer to take the loaf out of the snake’s mouth, or is this effort not necessary? זִימְנִין דְּנָחֵית לְצוּרְכֵּיהּ וְאָתֵי לְמֵיכְל …

Every Moment is Pregnant with Possibility Yevamos 75 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 20th, 2022

Our Gemara discusses various forms of infertility such as damage to testicles and other reproductive organs.  Of course, one of the greatest forms of existential distress is the inability to have children. It is easy to fall into despair.  A personage no less noble than the matriarch, Rachel, declared, “Give me children, for if not, I am dead.” (Bereishis 30:1) Yet we must also acknowledge that there are other ways for human …

Every Yiddle Bit Bava Basra 9 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 4th, 2024

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

Everyone Hears Only What He Understands Eruvin 89 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 6th, 2020

Gemara Eruvin 89 “Everyone Hears Only What He Understands” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe תוספות הכא מתני' כל גגות. גזרה משום תל ברה"ר - אף על גב דקיימא לן כר' מאיר בגזירותיו אפילו במקום רבים כדאמרינן בפ' אע"פ (כתובות נז.) גבי משהה אדם את אשתו שתים ושלש שנים בלא כתובה הכא אומר ר"י דאין הלכה …

Everyone Needs Encouragement Nazir 59 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 23rd, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis refers to a teaching approach repeated several times in Shas, known as,“To sharpen the students”. A teacher may say over something that is obviously incorrect in order to stimulate the students to question the teaching. The idea is to keep the students on their toes and create an environment where all ideas are critically challenged and not taken for granted. In other words, the teacher “serves softballs& …

Everything is a Process Nazir 32 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 24th, 2023

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

Everything is Copacetic Nazir 15 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 7th, 2023

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

Everything You Wanted to Know About Kares But Are Afraid to Ask Yevamos 8 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 15th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes one of the key verses in regard to sexual prohibitions: ויקרא י״ח : כט כִּ֚י כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר יַעֲשֶׂ֔ה מִכֹּ֥ל הַתּוֹעֵבֹ֖ת הָאֵ֑לֶּה וְנִכְרְת֛וּ הַנְּפָשׁ֥וֹת הָעֹשֹׂ֖ת מִקֶּ֥רֶב עַמָּֽם׃ ⁦All who do any of those abhorrent things—such persons shall be cut off from their people. The verse describ …

Eviction Notice Bava Metzia 101 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 7th, 2024

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

Evolution in the Talmud??

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 24th, 2020

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

Exit Strategy Bava Basra 91 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 24th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses famine conditions that could allow a person to leave Eretz Yisroel:   תנו רבנן: אין יוצאין מארץ לחוץ לארץ, אלא אם כן עמדו סאתים בסלע. אמר רבי שמעון: אימתי – בזמן שאינו מוצא ליקח, אבל בזמן שמוצא ליקח – אפילו עמדה סאה בסלע, לא יצא.   The Sages taught: One may not leave Eretz Y …

Extra Credit in Mitzvos Bava Metzia 65 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 26th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the legal technicalities of whether a rental or hire incurs financial obligation from commencement, or only at the end, when the rental or work contract is completed. Halachically this has implications for whether advance payment at a discount is considered charging interest or not. The halacha is that the obligation to pay a rental fee is incurred only at the end of the rental period.  The Chida (Midbar Kd …

Extralegal and Legal Actions and Intentions Kiddushin 55 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 5th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis considers the moral and halakhic dilemma of what to do if by violating a minor prohibition, one can accomplish a great merit. Our Gemara discusses the case of an animal found in Yerushalayim, which is assumed to have been dedicated for a sacrifice. Since it is of unknown designation, it cannot be brought as is on the altar, as each sacrifice has different procedures. Redeeming a non-blemished animal is forbidden, but the t …

Face Facts Yevamos 120 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 5th, 2022

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

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 10th, 2023

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

Factors That Create Receptivity Toward Criticism Sotah 49 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 17th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis laments the state of the world prior to arrival of the Mashiach, including the inability to to accept rebuke: בְּעִקְבוֹת מְשִׁיחָא חוּצְפָּא יִסְגֵּא וְיוֹקֶר יַאֲמִיר הַגֶּפֶן תִּתֵּן פִּרְיָהּ וְהַיַּיִן בְּיוֹקֶר וּמַלְכוּת תּהָפֵךְ לְמִינוּת וְאֵין תּוֹכַחַת בֵּית וַועַד …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 30th, 2022

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

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 22nd, 2022

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

Faith Matters Bava Kamma 96 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 6th, 2024

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

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 23rd, 2023

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

False Omens Bava Basra 109 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 11th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud beis discusses the famous incident of the Pesel Micha, as described in Shoftim 17.  In those anarchic times, a fellow made a sanctuary and appointed his own priest.  From our Gemara’s exposition of the story, the man met a person named Levi, and took it as a sign that he was to be HIS Levite, that is, a man to serve as his Cohen in his fabricated temple.   Indeed we find in our tradition an idea that certai …

False Pride and Real Guilt Bava Kamma 18 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 20th, 2023

Our Gemara from 17b to 18a discussed how certain actions are viewed, from their inception or from their end point?  For example, if an animal stomps upon a vessel, and the vessel does not break, but then from that force, rolls and breaks. If we follow the initial stomp, it would be the damage of “foot”, requiring full payment.  But if we follow the end, where the vessel broke by banging into another object, this is comparabl …

Familiarity Breeds Contempt Chaggigah 7 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 15th, 2022

  Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes a verse in Mishley (25:17): הֹקַ֣ר רַ֭גְלְךָ מִבֵּ֣ית רֵעֶ֑ךָ פֶּן־יִ֝שְׂבָּעֲךָ֗ וּשְׂנֵאֶֽךָ׃ ⁦Visit your neighbor sparingly, Lest he have too much of of you and loathe you. The gist of this verse is to not overstay your welcome. The Talmud extends this idea by metaphor to not frequent the Beis HaMikdash with offerings, as presumably frequency …

Family Planning: Quality versus Quantity Psychological Insights on the Daf Yomi Yevamos 36

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 12th, 2022

  Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the halakhic principle that one should not marry a woman who is still nursing a child, as she may become pregnant, and this could disrupt her milk supply.  The Gemara wonders why this concern is only active with the second husband, as even with her first husband she might become pregnant and interrupt the milk supply?  The Gemara concludes that in either case, the woman will use birth control.&nb …

Fathers and Roughhousing Psychology of the Daf Bava Metzia 12

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 11th, 2024

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

Fear and True Consent Bava Basra 50 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 14th, 2024

Our Gemara on this daf continued to discuss the legal implications of a psychological phenomenon that a woman is more likely to dodge the truth and fib out of a wish to please her husband, and perhaps out of fear of his reaction if she did object. This is based on a mishna (Gittin 55b):    If one first purchased from the husband the rights to use a field belonging to his wife, and afterward he returned and purchased the same field from …

Fear in the Classroom and in Pedagogy Kesuvos 28 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 3rd, 2022

Much as we would like to think of school as a positive and happy place, we cannot dismiss the necessary element of fear as part of the educational experience.  In order for teachers to maintain respect and order, students must have some degree of fear in relation to their authority.  Of course, taken to an extreme, children who experience overwhelming dread and anxiety will not learn well, and even if obedient, will be less likely to ex …

Fear no Love Pesachim 22 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 13th, 2020

The Gemara Discusses a challenge of how to understand what could possibly be equated to the fear of G-d. The reason why this puzzle arises is that in Hebrew there is a conjunctive word that you cannot easily translate into English, the word “Es”, which roughly translates into a verbal signal that some thing is coming along with the item explicitly named. So for example when the verses honor thy father and thy mother, there is this add …

Feeling Strapped to Tell the Truth Eruvin 96 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 13th, 2020

Eruvin 96 Michal, daughter of Kushi, King Saul, would don phylacteries, and the Sages did not protest against her behavior, as she was permitted to do so. מִיכַל בַּת כּוּשִׁי הָיְתָה מַנַּחַת תְּפִילִּין וְלֹא מִיחוּ בָּהּ חֲכָמִים Tosafos ibid quotes a Pesikta Rabasi (22) which states the rabbis did object. רא״ש חולין ח:כו וכן מיכל בת שאול היתה מנ …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 27th, 2024

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

Fiery Words Nedarim 57 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 21st, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis mentions an unusual idiom for bringing up a question: העלה בידו he brought up with his hands. The Ran says that sometimes the words mouth and hand are interchangeable in Hebrew, and brings a proof from a verse in Yeshaiyahu (6:6) and the Targum. וַיָּ֣עׇף אֵלַ֗י אֶחָד֙ מִן־הַשְּׂרָפִ֔ים וּבְיָד֖וֹ רִצְפָּ֑ה בְּמֶ֨לְקַחַ֔יִם לָקַ֖ח מֵע …

Fight Fire with Fire Chaggigah 27 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 8th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us: ⁦Rabbi Abbahu said that Rabbi Elazar said: The fire of Gehenna has no power over Torah scholars. This can be derived by an a Kal V’chomer inference from the salamandra, a creature created out of fire and immune to its effects, and whose blood is fireproof: If a salamander, which is merely a product of fire, and nevertheless when one anoints his body with its blood, fire has no power over him, all the mor …

Fighting Domestic Terror

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 11th, 2023

I am a coward. When I read the stories about grandmothers bravely fighting off terrorists, or Holocaust stories of people enduring death marches, barefoot in the freezing cold, I know that I am not made of that stuff. The events in Israel are unprecedented and require some commentary, at least for those who read my blog and allow me the vanity of thinking my ideas have value and, for whatever reason, draw inspiration from them. In our religion, s …

Fill 'er Up with Premium Bava Basra 134 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 6th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph details the vast array of wisdom, Torah knowledge, and even scientific expertise mastered by a Torah scholar like Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai, the least among Hillel the Elder’s eighty students:   The Sages said about Rabban Yoḥanan ben Zakkai that he did not neglect Bible and Mishna, Talmud, halachos and aggados, minutiae of the Torah and minutiae of the scribes, hermeneutical principles for a fortiori inferen …

Filling the Empty Space Kiddushin 77 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 29th, 2023

This daf delves into the intricate matter of the invalidation of Challalah to marry a cohen. A challalah is a woman who either descends from a forbidden priestly marriage, such as when a Cohen marries a divorcee, or a woman who engages in such a prohibited union, like a widow who marries a Cohen Gadol. As a result, she becomes a challalah, rendering her ineligible to partake of Terumah and preventing her from marrying another Cohen in the event o …

Finding Yourself by Winging it Bava Basra 163 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 5th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the standard width of a line in order to determine the acceptable width of a blank section between the closing line of the contract and the witness’s signatures. As we discussed on daf 162, this is a safeguard against cheating, to prevent the later insertion of fraudulent obligations and conditions. The yardstick used by the rabbis is comprised of two words, which contain tall and short letters, so as to a …

Fine by You, But is it Fine by Me? Bava Kamma 42 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 14th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis refers to the fine paid by the owner of an ox who gores and kills a Canaative slave. The amount is set at 30 shekel, regardless of the actual worth of the slave.  The gemara considers this a stringency, which then has implications in terms of inferences to and from other related laws, via reasoning of a kal v’chomer. The commentaries raise an obvious question: Why is this fixed amount assumed to be a stringency? …

First Impressions Last Sotah 20 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 18th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph refers to a Rasha Arum, a cunning wicked person. The Zohar (Vayeshev) describes the Evil Inclination as the prototypical Rasha Arum, because he arrives first in a person’s life. That is when a young child only knows raw instinct, he tends toward physicality and lust. Only later, as a child develops intellectual discernment, he is capable of having a good inclination. Since the evil incarnation has already long been …

Flood Assurance Bava Metzia 48 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 16th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a particular curse that befalls one who reneges on a transaction after money was exchanged. We have learned that exchange of money alone does not accomplish acquisition without the physical object being moved or lifted. Therefore, even though technically no transfer was completed yet, and legally he can stop the process, it is an ethical violation by going back on his word after the giving and accepting of payme …

For Fast-Acting Relief Try Slowing Down Eruvin 90 Psych of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 6th, 2020

“For Fast-acting Relief, Try Slowing Down.” — Lily Tomlin   וְרָמֵי בַּר חָמָא אַגַּב חוּרְפֵּיהּ לָא עַיֵּין בַּהּ, אֶלָּא הָכִי קָמִיבַּעְיָא לֵיהּ: שְׁתֵּי אַמּוֹת בְּגַג וּשְׁתֵּי אַמּוֹת בְּאַכְסַדְרָה, מַהוּ? The Gemara explains that this was not in fact the dilemma, and Rami bar Ḥama, …

For Morality there is no Threshold Bava Metzia 55 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 23rd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph teaches that ordinarily sums of money below a perutah are not legally pursuable, such as theft of less than a perutah.  Yet, when it comes to the Temple treasury, one must pay restitution for even less than a perutah.   Yismach Moshe (Mattos 6:2) uses this idea to explain why a gentile who steals from a Jew even less than a perutah is still held liable. The reason why theft of less than a perutah is not legally …

Forbidden Prayers Yevamos 59 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 5th, 2022

Our Gemara on amud beis discusses the prohibition of Esnan Zonah and Mchir Kelev, a prohibition against using an animal for sacrifice that was a payment to a prostitute or a barter for a dog: You shall not bring the hire of a harlot or the price of a dog into the House of the Lord your God for any vow; for both of them are an abomination to the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 23:19). This verse prohibits one from sacrificing an animal as an off …

Forced and Reinforced Bava Basra 48 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 12th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph continues a discussion about circumstances where a person is bullied to make a sale, but still is considered valid, due to the tendency of people to make peace with a situation once they are in it. Such as, even if a person was physically threatened to sell a property, after he accepts the money, he is agreeable enough. The Gemara attempts to prove this concept from a teaching about how one can be forced to fulfill a sacr …

Forced Interpretation Kesuvos 95 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 9th, 2022

When coerced, especially those in fear, may lie or be evasive. It is not because they are inherently dishonest people. Rather, the typical human response to fearful aggression is passive aggression.  Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses situations where certain legal transactions, though done in a manner that would ordinarily indicate sufficient intent, are rendered non-binding if the rabbis believed that the wife was under emotional coercion …

Formidable Foreskin Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 149

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 2nd, 2020

  וְאָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁבִּיקֵּשׁ אוֹתוֹ רָשָׁע, לַעֲשׂוֹת לְאוֹתוֹ צַדִּיק כָּךְ, נִמְשְׁכָה עׇרְלָתוֹ שְׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת אַמָּה, וְהָיְתָה מְחַזֶּרֶת עַל כׇּל הַמְּסִיבָּה כּוּלָּהּ. שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״שָׂבַעְתָּ קָלוֹן מִכּ …

Fountain of Youth Yevamos 65 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 11th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses two related physiological phenomena that today we do not recognize or understand well.  If a man was not able to ejaculate his seed with force similar to shooting an arrow, he was considered to be infertile.  Additionally, the woman was able to perceive this internally and her testimony on this was given more credence than the husband’s awareness or lack thereof. Based on this way that sexuality …

Freedom to Feel Bava Kama 74 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 15th, 2024

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

Friends with Liabilities Eruvin 19 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 28th, 2020

Eruvin 19 וְתוּ לֵיכָּא? וְהָאִיכָּא ״גֵּיהִנָּם״! — גֵּיא שֶׁעֲמוּקָּה (בְּגֵיהִנָּם), שֶׁהַכֹּל יוֹרֵד לָהּ עַל עִסְקֵי הִנָּם. The Gemara poses a question: Are there no more names? Isn’t there the name Gehenna? The Gemara answers that this is not a name rather a description: A valley that is as deep as the valley [gei] of ben Hinnom. …

Fringe Benefits of Mitzvos Bava Metzia 7 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 6th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses a situation of two people, in dispute regarding possession of a cloak made with gold threads on certain parts, and how it should be divided fairly.   The literal word used for the cloak is “talis”. Does the Gemara really mean a Talis, the garment which is a mitzvah to wear with Tzitzis fringes attached? Possibly, as it may be that Jews routinely wore four cornered garments as a standard, and did …

From Blessing to Reality Bava Kamma 12 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 14th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph references the idea that all land is linked, allowing the act of acquisition of one property to affect the acquisition of another, unlike chattel (movable objects). Sefer Daf al Daf quotes Rabbi Akiva Eiger (Shu”t 4:11) who asks a question based on this teaching. The verse in Bereishis (28:13) tells us that Hashem promises Yaakov that the land he was sleeping on would one day become his possession: הָאָ֗רֶץ …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 28th, 2024

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

Fundamentally Pious Bava Kamma 103 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 13th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses an incident that occurred to “a certain pious individual” “chassid echad”, who was involved in a purchase transaction, and there was question as to whom he should pay. There was a debate about whether the case involved a false oath. The Gemara challenges this position, because the litigant was described as a pious person. The Gemara then says, perhaps this situation came up after he repent …

G-d is in the Details Safek Deraban Psychology of the Daf Eruvin 5

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 14th, 2020

Eruvin Daf  ספק דרבנן לקולא  Famous Question of השגת הרמב״ן on Rambam Sefer Hamitzvos Shoresh 1: If rabbinic laws come from לא תסור, then they are deoraysa too. If so, why ספק דרבנן לקולא ספק דאורייתא לחומרא for Video Shiur click here to listen:  Psychology of the DAF Eruvin 5  The Ramban asks this question, and then suggests the obvious answer, that the rabbis build i …

Gates of Repentance Kesuvos 106 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 16th, 2022

Our Gemara on amud aleph tells us that there were seven gates in the Second Bais Hamikdash.  What is the symbolic significance of these seven gates? Sefer Yetzira tells us that there are seven gates to the soul.  That is: two eyes, two ears, two nostrils and the mouth.  Shalah (Torah Shebiksav, Shoftim, Derekh Chayim) interprets the verse, “You shall place Judges and police by all your gates” (Devarim 16:18) as app …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 31st, 2020

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

Gemara as Literature Eruvin 48 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 25th, 2020

Eruvin 48 כִּי אֲתָא לְקַמֵּיהּ דְּרַב פָּפָּא, אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אִי דָּיְיקִינַן כּוּלֵּא הַאי, לָא הֲוֵי תָּנֵינַן. When Rav Mesharshiya’s son came before Rav Pappa, the latter said to him: Were we to be so precise, we would not be able to learn anything at all, as we would be too busy answering such questions. פלא יועץ ערך גרסא גירסא - א …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 22nd, 2022

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

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 15th, 2023

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

Get Curious Instead of Furious

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 4th, 2018

Curiosity is a powerful relationship tool. We think we know someone else, we think we understand their motives, and we would like to believe we are right and know better. Yet, if we maintain a more curious attitude, especially when we feel frustrated or angry instead of becoming judgmental and indignant, we can turn difficult moments into learning and growth.   After Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of Knowledge, the scripture tells us they hi …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 14th, 2024

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

Getting Away with Murder Bava Basra 86 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 19th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the principle of Kim Ley Bederabbah Mineh. If one violates two prohibitions simultaneously, he is only liable for the more severe penalty of the two, but not both. For example:   If one stole a wallet on shabbos but did not lift the purse but instead dragged it on the ground, exiting the private domain and going into a public domain, he is exempt from financial penalty. The prohibition of performing labor o …

Getting Back on the Wagon Bava Kamma 31 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 3rd, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the liabilities of one who trips, and then another trips on him. Even though there is a dispute about this liability between Rabbi Meir and the Chachamim, all agree that if the person tripped and did not get up within a normal interval, he then becomes liable if someone trips on him. The Aramaic word used in the Gemara is Niskal, which is phonetically and linguistically equivalent to the Hebrew word nichshal, wh …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 28th, 2024

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

Getting Emotional about Our Feelings

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 1st, 2016

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

Gifts and Intimacy Bava Metzia 15 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 14th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses an interesting case where a man attempts to enact marriage to a person to whom he is forbidden, such as a sister. Usually marriage is enacted via an exchange of an object of value (classically, a gold ring). In this situation, since the marriage is obviously impossible, what did he intend to do with the object of value or the money? This is subject to a dispute between Rav and Shmuel:   Rav says: The money h …

Give Me Torah or Give Me Death Eruvin 99 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 16th, 2020

Reish Lakish said: One who expelled phlegm in front of his master has acted in a disrespectful manner and is liable for the punishment of death at the hand of Heaven, as it is stated: “All they who hate Me love death” (Proverbs 8:36). Do not read it as: “They who hate [mesanai] Me”; rather, read it as: “Those who make themselves hateful [masniai] to Me,” i.e., those who make themselves hateful by such a dischar …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 27th, 2023

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

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 22nd, 2023

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

Giving is Receiving Kiddushin 7 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 21st, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph presents a novel perspective on the bond of marriage through the exchange of an object of value. Conventionally, marriage involves the groom giving an object of value to the bride with her consent. However, our Gemara introduces an unconventional scenario where, surprisingly, if the woman gives something, it is as if she is the one receiving. Specifically, if she bestows a gift upon a dignitary, someone whose acceptance o …

Giving Pregnant Women Their Due Kiddushin 34 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 15th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph questions the Mishna’s declaration of a general rule regarding women not being obligated in time-bound mitzvos: וּכְלָלָא הוּא? הֲרֵי מַצָּה, שִׂמְחָה, הַקְהֵל, דְּמִצְוַת עֲשֵׂה שֶׁהַזְּמַן גְּרָמָא, וְנָשִׁים חַיָּיבוֹת! וְתוּ: וַהֲרֵי תַּלְמוּד תּוֹרָה, פְּרִיָּה וּרְבִיָּה, …

Glad We Thought of It Sanhedrin 8 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 25th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph debates whether Moshe’s statement in Devarim (1:17) reflects a hint of arrogance on his part: “And the cause that is too hard for you, you shall bring to me, and I will hear it.” Rabbi Ḥanina, and some say Rabbi Yoshiya, argues that this statement displayed a degree of presumptuousness. As a result, Moshe was later punished… Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak objects to this critique of Moshe. He points …

God Can Tolerate Many Sins So Long As We All Get Along Sotah 25 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 23rd, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses three situations where prosecution of Beis Din can be suspended if the accusing parties choose to forgive their original charges: אָמַר רַבִּי יֹאשִׁיָּה שְׁלֹשָׁה דְּבָרִים סָח לִי זְעֵירָא מֵאַנְשֵׁי יְרוּשָׁלַיִם בַּעַל שֶׁמָּחַל עַל קִינּוּיוֹ קִינּוּיוֹ מָחוּל וְזָקֵן מַמְרֵא …

God Himself Will Comfort Bava Basra 124 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 22nd, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses the halachic principle that a firstborn inherits a double portion. The Imrei Shefer (Vayikra 10:12) uses this idea to address a textual and halachic question regarding the Torah’s description of Aharon’s remaining sons. The verse refers to Elazar and Isamar as “Aharon’s remaining sons,” which typically implies a smaller remnant of a larger group, as noted by the Taz (YD 43:7). Aharo …

God in Search of Man Bava Metzia 30 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 29th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses an important exemption in the mitzvah to return a lost object. Should the person be of a dignified status, and lost items be of such a nature that the person would not even pick up his own possessions in those circumstances, he is then exempt. For example, imagine a bag of apples that is scattered all over the street, and requires bending down on one’s hands and knees to retrieve them. It is very possible t …

God is Responsible Bava Kamma 22 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 24th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the concept of damages caused by fire. There is a principle known as “Isho Mishum Chiytzav”, which means that the fire is not merely treated as a possession that he must watch, but it is like his arrow.  The action of sending a fire has implications as if he caused the damage directly from a physical action. אָמַר רָבָא: קְרָא וּמַתְנִיתָא מְסַיַּיע לֵיהּ …

God is the Baal Tekiah Bava Kamma 28 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 30th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the well-known principle that the Torah does not hold a person liable for sins committed that he could not stop or control, or if he was compelled by an overpowering force, or committed them under life threatening conditions.  The precise language is, “The Merciful One exempts a victim of circumstances beyond his control.” Rav Simcha Bunim Mipeshischa (Kol Mevaser II:Rosh Hashanah) notes the mann …

God Leaves the Driving to You Bava Metzia 33 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 1st, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses an interesting intersection between the letter of the law and ethical obligations  beyond legal requirements:   If one finds his lost item and his father’s lost item, tending to his own lost item takes precedence.   The Gemara provides a scriptural source that alludes to the need to ensure one doesn’t save others’ possessions to the extent that he himself becomes impoverished. &n …

God May Let You Do What You Want, Even If It Is Wrong Sotah 34 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 2nd, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses God’s ambiguous directive to Moshe about sending out the Spies:  שְׁלַח לָךְ אֲנָשִׁים אָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ שְׁלַח לְךָ מִדַּעְתֶּךָ וְכִי אָדָם זֶה בּוֹרֵר חֵלֶק רַע לְעַצְמוֹ וְהַיְינוּ דִּכְתִיב וַיִּיטַב בְּעֵינַי הַדָּבָר אָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ ב …

God of “Salivation” Kesuvos 104 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 16th, 2022

Judaism, like the healthy personalities it seeks to foster, is not rigidly about one thing. Most principles in Judaism are about balancing a tension between important and conflicting values. How could something as important as Torah, or the human personality it is designed to develop, possibly be monolithic? If so, there would be no need for more than one human. Judaism has ascetic and self-abnegating values, while at the same time discouraging e …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 19th, 2023

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

God’s Foreknowledge and Free Will Sotah 18 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 9th, 2023

Our Mishna on Amud Beis tells us that according to Rabbi Meir, one of the oaths that the Sotah takes is about her future behavior: רַבִּי מֵאִיר אוֹמֵר: אָמֵן שֶׁלֹּא נִטְמֵאתִי, אָמֵן שֶׁלֹּא אֶטָּמֵא. Rabbi Meir says that “amen, amen” means: Amen that I did not become defiled in the past, amen that I will not become defiled in the future. The Gemara elaborates:

…

God’s Long Hand for the Handicapped Kesuvos 68 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 12th, 2022

Sometimes it’s frustrating when you encounter a beggar who claims to be suffering from various mishaps illnesses and misfortunes, but you wonder if he or she might be faking. It is a Torah violation to turn down a beggar (Devarim 15:7, Shulkhan Arukh YD 247:1), yet sometimes your gut tells you, “This is a scam”. Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the situation of the beggar who fakes his illness in order to inspire more generosi …

God’s Role in Supporting Human Free Will Yevamos 62 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 8th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses Moshe’s rationale for accepting upon himself celibacy, which ion Jewish religious practice, not typically considered pious or proper. Moshe reasoned, “If the Jews had to seperate from sexuality in order to experience revelation at Mount Sinai, Kal V’chomer I myself must constantly refrain from sexuality, since God appears to me at any time.” The Talmud reports that God agreed with Moshe&r …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 6th, 2024

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

Going Against the Tide Kiddushin 29 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 11th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph enumerates various obligations upon a father toward his son, including teaching him to swim. Rav Elyashiv (Divrei Aggadah, Devarim 14:9) asks, "Why did the rabbis specifically choose swimming when there must be many other hazards and skills to learn? Why not Mathematics to avoid being cheated or Self-defense in case of bandits?" Rav Elyashiv suggests that the Gemara chose swimming because of a double entendre. He explains …

Going on a Binge Chaggigah 15 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 23rd, 2022

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

Going Through the Motions Psychology of the Daf Yomi Gittin 76

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 31st, 2023

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

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 23rd, 2023

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

Good Faith Efforts Nazir 17 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 9th, 2023

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

Good Intentions Aren't Good Enough Bava Basra 90 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 23rd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the different efforts of the Amoraim, Shmuel’s father and Shmuel himself to prevent hoarding, price manipulation and gouging in the marketplace. Interestingly, with good intentions, they employed opposite strategies. The Gemara also commented on whose intervention was more effective:   אבוה דשמואל מזבין להו לפירי בתרעא חרפא, כתרעא חרפא. שמואל בריה, מש …

Good, Is Good Enough Bava Kamma 54-55 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 26th, 2023

Our Gemara at the end of Daf 54 into Daf 55 shares a seemingly bizarre dialogue, where a great Rabbi and sage appears to be ignorant of a basic verse in the Ten Commandments: שָׁאַל רַבִּי חֲנִינָא בֶּן עָגֵיל אֶת רַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר אַבָּא: מִפְּנֵי מָה בְּדִבְּרוֹת הָרִאשׁוֹנוֹת לֹא נֶאֱמַר בָּהֶם ״טוֹב״, וּבְדִבְּרוֹת …

Good Job, Bad Job Sotah 31 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 28th, 2023

  Our Gemara on aleph concludes that Iyov’s level of love and fear of God matched Avraham’s. תַּנְיָא רַבִּי מֵאִיר אוֹמֵר נֶאֱמַר יְרֵא אֱלֹהִים בְּאִיּוֹב וְנֶאֱמַר יְרֵא אֱלֹהִים בְּאַבְרָהָם מָה יְרֵא אֱלֹהִים הָאָמוּר בְּאַבְרָהָם מֵאַהֲבָה אַף יְרֵא אֱלֹהִים הָאָמוּר …

Good Vibrations Bava Basra 158 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 29th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud beis states that there is something about the air of the Land of Israel that inspires wisdom.  What is this really about?   From a psychological perspective, it is understandable that the sense of confidence, security and identity that comes with living unapologetically as a Jew in the Jewish homeland certainly can enhance all kinds of creativity and development. Rabbenu Bechaye (Shemos 25:39) actually says somet …

Grabbing a Mitzvah Bava Basra 33 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 28th, 2024

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

Grandiose Charity Kesuvos 67 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 11th, 2022

When is it permitted to have ulterior motives along with a mitzvah?  Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses the tragic ending of Nakdimon Ben Gurion who was immensely wealthy, but became impoverished.  The Gemara wonders what could he gave done to suffer such a fate when he gave abundantly to tzeddakah? One answer given is that he did the mitzvah in order to aggrandize himself.   Maharsha asks, did we not learn in Rosh Hashanah (4 …

Grandparent Alienation Yevamos 70 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 16th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us the well-known aphorism, בני בנים הרי הם כבנים Grandchildren are considered as if they are children.  Grandparents can be a resource for their grandchildren, as well as a source of satisfaction and fulfillment to the grandparents.  If the relationship between the Grandparent and their child is a healthy one, the parents will also enjoy the grandparents’ involvement, offering an ex …

Great People and Great Errors Kiddushin 63 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 5th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes the injunction from Devarim (23:16): לֹא־תַסְגִּ֥יר עֶ֖בֶד אֶל־אֲדֹנָ֑יו אֲשֶׁר־יִנָּצֵ֥ל אֵלֶ֖יךָ מֵעִ֥ם אֲדֹנָֽיו "You shall not turn over to the master a slave who seeks refuge with you from that master." Although our Gemara darshens this verse differently, halakhically speaking, this verse is interpreted as a prohibition against returning a …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 3rd, 2022

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

Grieving the Loss of Our Dreams Bava Basra 111 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 14th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the fact that Miriam’s banishment was supposed to last for 14 days based on the following logic: If her father had but spit in her face, should she not hide in shame for seven days?” (Numbers 12:14). The Gemara then argues, in fact, Miriam experienced a more severe reprimand from the Divine Presence, therefore, she ought to have been ostracized for fourteen days. Yet, by dint of the fact that this di …

Grievous Errors Bava Kamma 38 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 10th, 2023

Our Gemara on amud aleph records a discussion between Ulla and the Babylonian sages, where Ulla takes a strong position regarding how one should be careful in what he says and implies at a mourner’s home: Ulla said to them: What business do I have with the consolation of Babylonians, which is actually heresy? As they say while consoling mourners: What can be done? This seems to suggest that if it were possible to do something, acting agains …

Grievous Grievances Kesuvos 92 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 6th, 2022

We know the Jews in the wilderness complained quite a bit. Did they have justification for doing so? Our Gemara on Amud describes a scenario where Reuven sold a field to Shimon with a stipulation that he will bear no responsibility if a prior creditor comes with a lien on the field and repossesses it. If that occurs, there is a question as to whether Reuven could offer claims in the court case as co-defendant, since essentially he is not a Baal D …

Growth and Comfort Do Not Coexist Kesuvos 110 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 24th, 2022

(source of title quote Ginny Rometty)
Change is not easy, even when it is a good change. Some of life’s most stressful moments come with good changes, such as marriage, birth of a child or moving neighborhoods. Our Mishna on Amud Beis discusses the marital considerations required when moving, even from a lesser quality environment to a higher quality environment: שָׁלֹשׁ אֲרָצוֹת לַנִּשּׂוּאִין, יְהוּ …

Guns Don’t Kill - Sin Kills Bava Metzia 93 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 31st, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the extent of a shepherd’s responsibility if a lion is approaching the flock:   What could he have done to prevent an attack by a lion? Rabba replies: He should have faced the lion with other shepherds and with sticks to chase it away.   There is a natural principle that animal predators are fearful of humans. This is not an absolute, but unless provoked by territory concerns or extreme hunger, an …

Gut Renovation Bava Kamma 66 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 7th, 2024

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

Habit Is Stronger Than Reason Eruvin 93 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 10th, 2020

Habit Is Stronger Than Reason - George Santayana.  The Gemara described a structure called an Achsadra, which in Greek is an Exedra (usually in the Gemara a chaf-samach combination is actually a Greek Chi. This structure consists of a Roof and at least some open walls, if not all four walls open, depending on the case discussed. In terms of Derash there is a Gemara in Menachos 29b that describes the world as a giant achsadra: ומפני מה …

Habits of Respect and Decency Bava Kamma 17 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 19th, 2023

At the end of 16b and the top of 17 Amud Aleph we learn that as a tribute to King Chizkiyahu, they set up a Yeshiva by his grave, and studied there.    Tosafos (16b) raises the question how could they have done this, since a dead person is not obligated or able to study torah, this would be a violation of “mocking a poor person.” Meaning the verse in Mishle (17:5) warns against the insensitivity of rubbing a person's deficie …

Hair Splitting Discussion Nedarim 4 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 28th, 2022

What is the significance of the Nazir not cutting his hair? We can understand that the Nazir’s abstaining from cutting his hair is to shun vanity, as is described later on in the mesechta 9b.  The Rama in Toras Haolah (III:71) explains further that the Nazir is required to abstain from three aspects: He must not drink wine, he must not become impure and he must not cut his hair. Each of these abstentions relate to a different kind of h …

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow Daf 18 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 27th, 2020

Eruvin 18 לְכִדְרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן מְנַסְיָא. דְּדָרֵישׁ רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן מְנַסְיָא: ״וַיִּבֶן ה׳ אֱלֹהִים אֶת הַצֵּלָע״ — מְלַמֵּד שֶׁקִּילְּעָהּ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְחַוָּה וֶהֱבִיאָהּ לְאָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן, שֶׁכֵּן בִּכְרַכֵּי ה …

Halachic Gray Areas Bava Metzia 96 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 3rd, 2024

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

Halakha Vs. Common Sense

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 24th, 2018

Ideally, there never should be an instance of Halakha versus common sense. As we shall soon see, while the Torah may not always be provable through deductive reasoning alone, it should never ask us to believe something that is patently unreasonable. I feel compelled to a write this in response to fundamentalist trends that seem to make virtue out of blind acceptance. Granted there is a certain logic to such a position, perhaps considering that G- …

Halakhic Explorations of the Status of Gender Reassignment Surgery Yevamos 55 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 21st, 2022

Our Gemara on 54b and 55b quotes a Bibllical phrase in Vayikra 18:22 where it describes sexual intercourse as “Mishkavei Isha”, the “Layings in regard to women”.  Though the pashut peshat is referring to sexual acts, the derash takes this to imply multiple forms of sexual intercourse, such as anal intercourse. Rabbenu Chananel on this verse (also quoted by Ibn Ezra) offers a creative explanation with modern relevance, …

Halakhic Independence vs. Conservatism Gittin 83 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 7th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis engages in a discussion regarding posthumous challenges to the halakhic position of Rabbi Eliezer. Rabbi Yehoshua addresses the group of questioners, including himself, stating: "אֵין מְשִׁיבִין אֶת הָאֲרִי לְאַחַר מִיתָה" (One does not refute the opinion of a lion after his death). This expression emphasizes that even if compelling questions arise, we cannot be certain that Rabbi Eliez …

Halakhic Reasoning and Myopic Dangers Psychology of the Daf Yomi Gittin 81

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 4th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph engages in a discussion to determine what occurred to a wife of a Cohen who was taken captive. Rabbi Dosa does not assume she was raped even though she may have been molested in other ways: אָמַר רַבִּי דּוֹסָא: וְכִי מָה עָשָׂה לָהּ עַרְבִי זֶה? מִפְּנֵי שֶׁמִּיעֵךְ לָהּ בֵּין דַּדֶּיהָ, פְּסָלָהּ מִן הַכְּהוּנָּה?! …

Haley's Comet and the Telescope Eruvin 42 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 18th, 2020

The Gemara quotes the machlokes Rabban Gamliel and Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya versus Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Yehoshua.  This machlokes also was enacted in regard to a voyage that all four of them took together as reported in the Mishna 4:1   משנה עירובין ד׳:א׳ מִי שֶׁהוֹצִיאוּהוּ גוֹיִם אוֹ רוּחַ רָעָה, אֵין לוֹ אֶלָּא אַרְבַּע אַמּוֹת. הֶחֱזִירוּהוּ …

Half-Baked Arguments Eruvin 81 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 29th, 2020

Half-Baked Arguments וּפְרוּסָה מַאי טַעְמָא לָא? אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹסֵי בֶּן שָׁאוּל אָמַר רַבִּי: מִשּׁוּם אֵיבָה. The Gemara analyzes Rabbi Yehoshua’s position itself: And with regard to a broken loaf of bread, what is the reason that it may not be used for an eiruv? Rabbi Yosei ben Shaul said that Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi said: The reason is due to potential enmity bet …

Hard Times, Good Men Sanhedrin 20 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 6th, 2025

Our Gemara offers a homiletic analysis of the verse in Mishlei (31:30): "Grace is false, beauty is transient and empty; but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised." At its most straightforward level, this verse teaches us not to be overly captivated by external charm or physical beauty, as they are fleeting and superficial. Instead, it is inner character, particularly the fear of God, that is praiseworthy and enduring. The verse disting …

Hashanah 2 Get Off Your Phone and Go Outside Psychology of the Daf Yomi Rosh

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 10th, 2021

  Our Gemara on Amud Aleph and Beis discuss the concept of וְיוֹם אֶחָד בַּשָּׁנָה חָשׁוּב שָׁנָה one day of the year counts as a whole year. For example, the year for counting the reign of kings begins in Nissan. Thus, a king who was coronated on the last day of Adar, will already be starting his second year the next day, on day One Nissan. However, the phrase יוֹם אֶחָד בַּשָּׁנָה חָש …

Hashanah 5 Gift and Make Up Psychology of the Daf Yomi Rosh

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 13th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the concept that regular sacrifices, be they sin-offerings or voluntary offerings, are under the category of asking God for acceptance or appeasement, unlike a first-born sacrifice, which is inherent and pre-dedicated. There is a subtle difference in language between Rashi and Tosafos, which I believe speaks of a philosophical disagreement. Rashi explains the idea of sacrifices to achieve appeasement or acceptanc …

Hashanah 4 Is Altruism “All-True”? Psychology of the Daf Yomi Rosh

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 12th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph leads with a well known dictum: If one gives charity, saying: I give this sela for charity in order that my children may live, or: I give it in order that through it I may merit life in the World-to-Come, he is still considered a full-fledged righteous person.  The Gemara also draws a distinction between a Gentile and A Jew: ⁦This only applies to a Jewish person. Because even if his condition is not fulfilled, he w …

Have a Heart! Eruvin 57 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 2nd, 2020

  מַתְנִי׳ אֵין מוֹדְדִין אֶלָּא בְּחֶבֶל שֶׁל חֲמִשִּׁים אַמָּה, לֹא פָּחוֹת וְלֹא יוֹתֵר. וְלֹא יִמְדּוֹד אֶלָּא כְּנֶגֶד לִבּוֹ. MISHNA: One may measure a Shabbat limit only with a rope fifty cubits long, no less and no more, as will be explained in the Gemara. And one may measure the limit only at the level of one’s heart, …

Having a Right Does Not Always Make You Right Sanhedrin 18 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 3rd, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses legal exemptions from the obligation to return lost items, focusing on situations where retrieval of the object would conflict with the dignity of the finder: “You shall not see your brother’s ox or his sheep wandering and ignore them; you shall return them to your brother” (Deuteronomy 22:1). The use of the unusual phrase “and ignore them,” rather than a more direct “do not ig …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 16th, 2022

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

He Made Me Do It is Not an Excuse Bava Kamma 6 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 8th, 2023

The Gemara on Amud Aleph and Bais delves into a complex lomdishe discussion regarding various forms of damages and factors that influence leniency or stringency. For instance, fire, as a damaging force, also has wind mixed into it, which can propel the fire into another person's property. In contrast, a pit solely causes damage by the fall itself. In a separate scenario, the Gemara addresses the case of someone who directed their sewage pipe into …

He Sees The Moment Bava Metzia 78 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 16th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the idea that certain funds are dedicated for one purpose and cannot be transferred to another purpose, no matter how noble. Thus, charitable funds donated for the indigent to use for the festive Purim meal cannot be used for other charitable needs. (The actual Halacha is subject to discussion and qualification, see Shulchan Aruch OC 694:2)    Chavos Yair (responsum 232) rules that if a person gave some …

He Who Lives by the Sword Pesachim 28 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 18th, 2020

The Gemara discusses a scenario where Rabbi Yehuda was proven wrong, using his own logic against him. The Gemara then quotes three aphorisms, used by people to describe this kind of situation: Rav Yosef said: This is as people say: In the spoon that the carpenter made, the mustard will burn his palate. In other words, one can be harmed by his own actions. Similarly, in this case the strongest proof against Rabbi Yehuda’s opinion is the one …

Healing Attitudes Bava Kamma 85 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 26th, 2024

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

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 25th, 2023

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

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 17th, 2024

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

Healthy Assertiveness Gittin 71 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 26th, 2023

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

Heavenly Consultation Pesachim 33 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 24th, 2020

The Gemara paraphrases a verse from the Book of Daniel (4:14), which the Gemara refers to as G-d’s angels meaning the council of angels, sages.   On this same verse, the Gemara is Sanhedrin (38b) says as follows: Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: At the time that the Holy One, Blessed be He, sought to create a person, He created one group of ministering angels. He said to them: If you agree, let us fashion a person in our image. אמ …

Heir Conditioner Eruvin 70 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 18th, 2020

  אוֹ דִּלְמָא: יוֹרֵשׁ כַּרְעֵיהּ דַּאֲבוּהּ הוּא? Or perhaps an heir is like his father’s foot, i.e., he is considered an extension of his father and substitutes for him in all regards, which means that just as his father could have renounced his rights, so can he. Yismach Moshe Pinchas 10 יפקוד ה' וגו' איש על העדה וגו' (במדבר כז טז). במדרש (במ"ר פכ"א …

Herbal Fertility Potion Eruvin 28 Psychology of the Daf Rabbi Simcha Feuerman LCSW-R, DHL

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 6th, 2020

וּבְגוּדְגְּדָנִיּוֹת מִי מְעָרְבִין? וְהָתַנְיָא: גּוּדְגְּדָנִיּוֹת — מְרוּבֵּי בָנִים יֹאכֵלוּ, חֲשׂוּכֵי בָנִים לֹא יֹאכֵלוּ. וְאִם הוּקְשׁוּ לְזֶרַע — אַף מְרוּבֵּי בָּנִים לֹא יֹאכֵלוּ! The Gemara asks: But may one establish an eiruv with sweet clover? Was …

Heresy and Bull Stories Bava Kamma 34 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 6th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the liabilities and after effects from an ox that gores another ox and injures it. The Gemara says that the owner of the damaging ox is liable for further deterioration in health and value of the ox. This is because the owner of the injured ox can claim, “The horn of your ox is still buried in my ox”. That is to say, the effects of the original attack continue. Bereishis Rabbah (2:4) states that Gree …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 10th, 2024

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

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 5th, 2023

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

Hide not your talents, they for use were made, What's a sundial in the shade? Pesachim 4

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 25th, 2020

The Gemara relates: A certain man would regularly say whenever involved in conflict: Adjudicate my case [dunu dini]. The Sages said: Learn from it that he descends from the tribe of Dan, as it is written: “Dan will judge [yadin] his people like one of the tribes of Israel” (Genesis 49:16). He expressed himself that way due to his lineage. The Gemara relates a similar incident: A certain man would regularly walk and say: The bushes on …

High Fidelity Kiddushin 6 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 18th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph raises a question about a grouping of similar items in a beraisa. There are six cases in total, and they are mostly similar. Yet, interestingly, they are divided into two sets of three cases:   תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: ״הֲרֵי אַתְּ אִשְׁתִּי״, ״הֲרֵי אַתְּ אֲרוּסָתִי״, ״הֲרֵי אַתְּ קְנוּיָה לִי״ – מְקוּדֶּשֶׁת. ״הֲרֵי אַ …

Higher Standards Nazir 40 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 3rd, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes several verses in the Torah that serve as the source for the prohibition against shaving one’s beard with a razor, or possibly in a razor like fashion, depending on how it is interpreted by various poskim.  There are two sets of verses that discuss prohibition, one having to do specifically with the Cohanim, and the other applied to all Jews. Halakhically, there is no distinction and our Gemara uses the t …

Highly Sensitive Persons Bava Basra 23 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 18th, 2024

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

History, or His Story? Nedarim 62 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 26th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us a harrowing story about Rabbi Tarfon, and how he was mistaken for a thief. In the end, he was released, but only because his captor found out he was the revered Rabbi Tarfon. This itself caused Rabbi Tarfon distress because he derived personal benefit from the crown of the Torah: רַבִּי טַרְפוֹן אַשְׁכְּחֵיהּ הָהוּא גַּבְרָא בִּזְמַן שֶׁהוּקְפְּלוּ ה …

Hitting Bottom Bava Metzia 61 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 26th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses textual and theological parallels between the prohibition of charging interest, the commandment of wearing Tzitzis and maintaining honest weights and measures in commerce. Rava says: Why do I need the mention of the exodus from Egypt that the Merciful One wrote in the context of the halachos of the prohibition against interest (see Leviticus 25:37–38), and the mention of the exodus from Egypt w …

Hitting Bottom Kesuvos 85 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 9th, 2022

Humans constantly bargain with forces of nature and truths that aren’t really interested or responsive to our bids. A colleague of mine, Dr. Norman Blumenthal has famously remarked, “People do not come to me for change. Instead they are (falsely) hoping that I can help them find a trick to alleviate the difficulties without having to change a darn thing.” Our Gemara on Amud Aleph described the act of rowing as “mimlach mel …

Hitting Rock Bottom Bava Basra 121 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 20th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses one of the reasons why the 15th of Av became a traditional day of rejoicing, drawing from the experience of the Jews in the wilderness. After the sin of the spies, it was decreed that the entire generation would wander for 40 years and die out before entering the land of Israel. Eichah Rabbah (Pesicha) offers a poignant description of how the 15th of Av marked a turning point in their fate:   Rabbi Avin and …

Hitting Rock Bottom Nazir 37 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 1st, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes a verse in Vayikra (6:20) that uses a strange language, “Anything that touches the flesh of the sacrifice shall become consecrated.” It’s a difficult verse to understand. Is holiness somehow contagious? Our Gemara interprets it as referring to the principle that absorption of an essence affects the object to an extent that it takes on the prohibition of that which it absorbed.  Noam Elimelech …

Hitting Rock Bottom Shabbos 125

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 9th, 2020

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

Holy Cow! Nazir 10 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 2nd, 2023

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

Holy Cow, that’s A lot of Suffering Bava Metzia 85 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 23rd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud aleph describes the intense years of gut pain that Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi experienced. The Gemara attributes his suffering to an incident where he was not merciful toward a calf. His suffering only abated, years later, when he spontaneously showed kindness toward weasels that were being harassed by his housekeeper:   There was a certain calf that was being led to slaughter. The calf went and hung its head on the corner of Rab …

Holy Inappropriate Chaggigah 5 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 13th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the concept that God hears and judges all our speech. This includes even talk between husband and wife when they are intimate. This would imply that it is considered a lack of modesty and decorum to engage in conversation prior and during marital relations. To this, the Gemara raises an objection based on an incident that occurred which showed that the great Amora and Rosh Yeshiva, Rav, engaged in levity and laug …

Holy Matrimony Psychology of the Daf Yomi Gittin 54

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 9th, 2023

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

Holy Rollers Eruvin 98 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 15th, 2020

This Gemara describes a predicament of someone who was reading from a scroll on a roof and one end dropped out of his hand and fell over the edge. Without getting deep into the halakhic issues involved I want to take a moment to focus on the function and history of a Sefer or a scroll. In colloquial Hebrew we translate Sefer to mean book. As we recited recently during the High High Holidays: וְתִפְתַּח אֶת סֵפֶר הַזִּכְר …

Home Team Advantage Myth or Reality? Eruvin 61 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 9th, 2020

  כִּי אֲתָא רַב דִּימִי אָמַר: טַטְרוֹגֵי מְטַטְרְגִי לְהוּ בְּנֵי גָדֵר לִבְנֵי חַמָּתָן, וּמַאי ״הִתִּיר״ — הִתְקִין. The Gemara relates that when Rav Dimi came from Eretz Yisrael to Babylonia, he said: This ruling was issued not due to their respective Shabbat limits, but rather because the residents of Geder would assault [metatreg] …

Homing Pigeons Bava Basra 24 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 19th, 2024

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

Honest Debate?? Eruvin 51 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 1st, 2020

  לָא הִיא, לָא תְּנָא לֵיהּ כְּרַבִּי יוֹסֵי, אֶלָּא כִּי הֵיכִי דְּלִיקַבֵּל לַהּ מִינֵּיהּ, מִשּׁוּם דְּרַבִּי יוֹסֵי נִימּוּקוֹ עִמּוֹ. The Gemara comments: But it is not so; that is not the opinion of Rabbi Yosei. Rabba only taught it as if it is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yosei so that Rav Yosef would accept …

Honest Intentions and Responsible Actions Kesuvos 86 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 30th, 2022

Are honest intentions the same as honesty?  If a person fully commits to something but later is unable to fulfill his pledge due to an unforeseen and legitimate change in circumstance, is that considered dishonest? Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses the idea of perias baal chov mitzvah, that there is a specific Torah directive to repay a loan.  But what is the scriptural source? Rashi uses the derasha found in Bava Metzi’a (49a): …

Honest to God Kesuvos 87 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 30th, 2022

When a person rationalizes his sins, the personal dishonesty might causes additional distortion beyond the original sins, with even more toxic effects.  Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes a verse (Devarim 19:15) that is used to describe the powers and limitations of a singe witness versus a pair: לֹֽא־יָקוּם֩ עֵ֨ד אֶחָ֜ד בְּאִ֗ישׁ לְכׇל־עָוֺן֙ וּלְכׇל־חַטָּ֔את בְּכׇל־חֵ֖טְא …

Honesty and Ambivalence in Religion

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 9th, 2019

Religious Therapists are obliged to be aware of what they are feeling and what they are seeing. What makes an effective clinician, is the one who is able to sense internal conflict, cognitive dissonance, and internal realities and external reality. In short, as we pray for every morning ‏דובר אמת בלבבו to speak truth within our hearts.   As religious Therapists, at times, we cannot help but notice conflict between c …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 18th, 2022

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

Honorary Member of the Tribe Bava Basra 118 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 19th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the phenomenon of ayin hara (the evil eye) and how the tribe of Yosef had a special immunity from it.   The Gemara explains: "We are of the descendants of Joseph, upon whom the evil eye had no dominion, as it is written: 'Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine by a fountain [alei ayin]' (Bereishis 49:22), and Rabbi Abbahu states a homiletic interpretation: Do not read it as alei ayin; rather, read it as …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 10th, 2023

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

How Bad is it to Embarrass Someone? Sotah 10 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 5th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis warns of the severity of causing another person public humiliation, to the extent that he or she would turn white:  מַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן חֲסִידָא, וְאָמְרִי לָהּ אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחַי: נוֹחַ לוֹ לָאָדָם שֶׁיַּפִּיל עַצְמוֹ לְתוֹךְ כִּבְשַׁן ה …

How Dishonest is Dishonest? Bava Basra 82 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 15th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses the conundrum of declaring bikkurim and reciting the appropriate ritual, even if those particular offerings may not actually be first fruits:   What is objectionable about reciting verses from the Torah even if they aren’t bikkurim? Rav Ashi said to him: The problem is due to the fact that this practice has the appearance of falsehood, because he issues a declaration before God that is possibly untrue …

How Important is Positive Self-Talk? Nazir 57 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 21st, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis records a statement made in frustration by Rav Adda bar Ahava that ended up as a curse against the children of Rav Huna. The words of a sage are so powerful, that even when not fully intended, they have an effect. This idea that words affect reality is a highly regarded principle mentioned dozens of times in the Gemara. Sanhedrin (102a) characterizes it as a covenant between one’s lips and God.  Sefer HaChinuch …

How Much Checking Do You Need to Do? Kesuvos 58 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 27th, 2022

One of the opportunities and challenges of Shidduchim is doing adequate and proper research. The cliche and much maligned question of whether the family uses a plastic tablecloth on Shabbos, is not merely urban legend. Whether or not that’s your burning question, it behooves us to discuss what level of research is necessary. Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses whether the “checking out” that relatives do is sufficient enough so as …

How the Vest Was Won Sotah 40 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 8th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph explains a dress code for the Cohanim when they go up to bless the congregation: דְּאֵין הַכֹּהֲנִים רַשָּׁאִין לַעֲלוֹת בְּסַנְדְּלֵיהֶן לַדּוּכָן. וְזֶהוּ אַחַת מִתֵּשַׁע תַּקָּנוֹת שֶׁהִתְקִין רַבָּן יוֹחָנָן בֶּן זַכַּאי …שֶׁמָּא נִפְסְקָה לוֹ רְצוּעָה בְּ …

How to Avoid Misinterpretations in Communication Bava Kamma 33 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 5th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph describes the liabilities of an employer whose worker enters his property to collect payments and is bit by his dog. The question of liability revolves around a misunderstanding of the word, “Yes”. Did it mean, “Yes, enter”, or “Yes, I acknowledge your presence at the gate and I will come to greet you.” Regardless of the halakhic outcome, the worker who assumed the homeowner meant, &ldq …

How to Benefit in This World and the Next Bava Basra 125 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 28th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a halachic aspect of the inheritance process. Specifically, the double portion granted to a firstborn applies only to property that is in actual possession, as opposed to funds that are due, such as an unpaid loan. The Noam Elimelech (Sefer Shemos, Shemos 5) uses this concept to address an age-old theological question: why do some righteous individuals seem to suffer greatly in this world, while others prosper in …

How to Get Paid Faster Kiddushin 48 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 29th, 2023

Our Gemara on amud Aleph and Beis discusses how we view the obligation to pay a worker’s wages, and how it would affect a betrothal that was done via an agreement for the groom to perform a task as the exchange of an object of value: תַנְיָא: ״עֲשֵׂה לִי שִׁירִים נְזָמִים וְטַבָּעוֹת, וְאֶקַּדֵּשׁ אֲנִי לָךְ״, כֵּיוָן שֶׁעֲשָׂאָן – מְקוּדֶּשׁ …

How to Influence People Even if You Don’t Make Friends Pesachim 30 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 21st, 2020

The Gemara discusses the principle of כבולעו כך פולטו which means that in order to remove non-kosher food essences that become absorbed inside utensils, one must subject them to the same conditions under which they were absorbed. For example if a utensil absorbed food essence in boiling water then it needs to be koshered in boiling water. Or, if a utensil absorbed food essence by exposure to direct flame, it needs to be koshered in t …

How to Study Contradictions Bava Basra 104 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 7th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses how to resolve discrepancies in the statements of a seller, where the seller’s first clause indicates approximation, and the second clause indicates specificity, or vice versa. For example, if the seller says to the buyer: “I am selling you a plot of land of a certain size measured precisely with a rope more or less”, thereby attaching to the sale two contradictory stipulations. Or if the seller …

How to Talk to Yourself About the Latest Shocking Story of Sexual Abuse

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 19th, 2021

I am writing about recent troubling sexual abuse allegations about a beloved and famous Jewish children's author.  There are newspaper articles quoting women who came forward claiming they were sexually abused and molested by him as young teenagers.  I don't want you to look up his name because I don't want to be the cause of you finding out more information about a person whose guilt has not been halakhically verified. It is not my pla …

Human Dignity Shabbos 124

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 8th, 2020

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

Human Dignity without God leads to Immorality Bava Basra 155 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 27th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a legal monetary dispute that could potentially be resolved via evidence gained by exhuming a corpse. The Gemara has to weigh the needs of justice versus the prohibition to disgrace a corpse.  The Gemara takes it as a given that disinterment is a forbidden desecration of the human body. The Gilyonei Hashas suggests it fits under the category of halanas hames, the prohibition against leaving a body unburied. …

Human Potential Sotah 46 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 14th, 2023

  Our Gemara on Amud Aleph laments the loss of potential in the wake of a seemingly random, senseless murder. אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן בֶּן שָׁאוּל מִפְּנֵי מָה אָמְרָה תּוֹרָה הָבֵיא עֶגְלָה בְּנַחַל אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא יָבֹא דָּבָר שֶׁלֹּא עָשָׂה פֵּירוֹת וְיֵעָרֵף בִּמְקוֹם שֶׁ …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 5th, 2024

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

Humility or Lack of vulnerability? Bava Metzia 67 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 26th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a practice that was technically not usury, but the Talmud ruled that rabbis should abstain from it nonetheless, because they should behave according to a higher standard. The Gemara records that Ravina did not abstain from this practice and stuck with the letter of the law. Tosafos (ibid) wonders about this, and Rabbenu Tam suggests that thiswas due to Ravina’s humility in that he did not want to portray hi …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 4th, 2024

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

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 1st, 2022

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

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 24th, 2021

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

I Forgive You, but Do I Really? Yevamos 72 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 18th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us that the reason why the Jews did not merit the healing north wind during the wilderness was that they were “censured”. What sin caused that state? Rashi says it was due to the sin of the Golden Calf.  However Tosafos argues and says that they Jews were forgiven for that sin, as it states “I forgive them”, and the Mishkan was constructed and Hashem had the Shekhina dwell there. Tosafos …

I Got You This Far, Didn’t I? Bava Metzia 79 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 17th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses various scenarios and liabilities incurred where a hired porter or wagon breaks down mid trip.  Even if the wares did not reach the desired and contracted destination, if at the current location they can be sold too, albeit inconveniently, or if after a day he can hire another transport for the remainder of the journey, the person must still pay the fare for the trip up to this point.  The claim of the …

I See Your Point, But I Hear Your Idea Nedarim 7 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 1st, 2022

Seeing and hearing are often metaphors for understanding. Is there a difference in the Hebrew language when sight is used, versus hearing, to connote perception and knowledge of events? Our Gemara on Amud Beis reflects on the danger of incurring the wrath and disapproval of the Sages.   וְתַנְיָא: כׇּל מָקוֹם שֶׁ״נָּתְנוּ חֲכָמִים עֵינֵיהֶם״, אוֹ מִיתָה אוֹ עוֹנִי It is …

Identity Crisis Shabbos 118

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 2nd, 2020

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

If the Shoe Fits, then Do the Mitzvah Yevamos 18 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 25th, 2022

Our Gemara on this Amud discusses numerous circumstances of chalitzah must be chosen over Yibum. A fundamental question that has been discussed by poskim is if Chalitzah is it’s own Mitzvah, somehow a fulfillment of Yibum, or is it more comparable to the “Mitzvah” of Jewish divorce. That is to say, when one is in a situation that requires a dissolution of the marriage, it is a Mitzvah to perform it properly with a Get. In lomdis …

If We Desire Respect For The Law, We First Must Make More Respectable Eruvin 91 Psych of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 8th, 2020

If We Desire Respect For The Law, We First Must Make More Respectable - Louis Brandeis  אָמְרוּ לוֹ: אֵין שְׁעַת הַסַּכָּנָה רְאָיָה. The Sages said to him: The halakha cannot be determined from that incident, as an incident occurring during a time of danger is no proof. At a time of danger it is permitted to carry even in places where carrying is ordinarily prohibited by rabbinic law. One can see in the …

If You Believe That You Can Damage, Then Believe That You Can Fix Kiddushin 35 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 17th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the halakhic significance of female facial hair if it is considered like a beard. The matter is relevant regarding whether the laws of leprosy of the beard will apply to this area or the laws of skin leprosy, which have different criteria. The Gemara seems to consider the possibility that even though the verse explicitly includes female facial hair as part of the beard leprosy (Vayikra 13:29, "A man or woman who …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 12th, 2023

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

If you only pray when you’re in trouble, you’re in trouble Eruvin 65 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 9th, 2020

אָמַר רַב חִיָּיא בַּר אָשֵׁי אָמַר רַב: כֹּל שֶׁאֵין דַּעְתּוֹ מְיוּשֶּׁבֶת עָלָיו אַל יִתְפַּלֵּל, מִשּׁוּם שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״בְּצָר אַל יוֹרֶה״. רַבִּי חֲנִינָא בְּיוֹמָא דְּרָתַח לָא מְצַלֵּי, אָמַר: ״בְּצָר אַל יוֹרֶה״ כְּתִיב. מָר עוּקְבָא …

If You See Something, Say Something Bava Metzia 51 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 19th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us an anecdote where Rami Bar Chamah noticed that his landlord appeared sad. He inquired of him, and ended up hearing about a mistake he made in business, and was able to offer him halachic guidance.   Noticing that a person is sad is an important factor in emotional intelligence. Being attuned enough to notice a person’s face or other subtle expressions allows for important opportunities to assist a pers …

Immersed in a State of Fear Kesuvos 72 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 16th, 2022

Our Gemara and Mishna on Amud Aleph discusses certain breaches in the marriage that forfeits the woman’s right to her kesuba.  One of these breaches are if the woman falsely pretended to not be a niddah, when in fact she was, leading to them having relations during a forbidden time. This phenomenon happens more often than people would like to believe.  I have no statistics, but having the privilege of working with couples for 28 y …

Immortal Teachings Yevamos 97 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 12th, 2022

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

Impatient Husbands and Niddah Eruvin 21 Psychology of the Daf Rabbi Simcha Feuerman LCSW-R, DHL

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 29th, 2020

  ״וְעַל פְּתָחֵינוּ כׇּל מְגָדִים״ — אֵלּוּ בְּנוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁמַּגִּידוֹת פִּתְחֵיהֶן לְבַעֲלֵיהֶן. לָשׁוֹן אַחֵר: שֶׁאוֹגְדוֹת פִּתְחֵיהֶן לְבַעֲלֵיהֶן. “And at our doors [petaḥeinu] are all manner of choice fruits [megadim],” these are the daughters of Israel who inform [maggidot] …

Impotent Rage Yevamos 53 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 21st, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis struggles to come up with a scenario whereby a man can be considered “forced” to engage in sexual intercourse. The sages aptly observed, there is no erection of the male organ without intent. Meaning to say, though a person might be externally coerced into sexual intecourse by some kind of threat, the actual action must be with some degree of will, as otherwise how can he become erect?  (The Gemara ultimat …

In Depth Study, by Any Means Bava Basra 129 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 1st, 2024

Our Gemara on amud beis discusses a conceptual difference between something that is gifted versus bequeathed:   If a person on his deathbed said: My property is given to you, and after you to so-and-so, and the first recipient was fit to inherit from him, the second gets nothing in place of the first. That is, he does not receive the property after the first one dies, as this formulation employed by the owner was not one of a gift, but a for …

In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, clarity Pesachim 15 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 6th, 2020

In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, clarity. Rupertus Meldenius However, how will we burn teruma in abeyance, whose impurity status is uncertain, together with ritually impure teruma? Perhaps Elijah the Prophet will come and establish prophetically that the teruma is not ritually impure, and he will render it ritually pure. The legal status of teruma in abeyance is uncertain. How can one actively render it impure when …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 10th, 2024

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

In Order to Perform a More Perfect Union Kesuvos 48 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 23rd, 2022

Warning: This posting contains sexually explicit content relating to the mitvah of marital relations  Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the obligation for a husband (and wife — see Ritva) to not hold back from skin to skin direct contact during marital relations out of a sense of false modesty.  The psychological benefits of skin to skin contact on mood regulation and the release of the oxytocin binding hormone has been scientifi …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 28th, 2023

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

In-Sight Kesuvos 108 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 16th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis uses an interesting phrase to describe Rabbi Gamliel’s approval of the opinion of another Tanna, named Admon:   רוֹאֶה אֲנִי אֶת דִּבְרֵי אַדְמוֹן   I “see” the words of Admon.   Clearly, the word “see” in this context means more than physical sight. It means seeing with the mind’s eye and heart, seeing the idea from the inside out.  Ramb …

In the Dark About This One Psychology of the Daf Yomi Beitzah 26

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 24th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis refers to an Amora who they considered to have an unreliable memory and confused the Mishnayos and beraisos he quoted. It is interesting that he was regarded with some degree of deference as a sage, despite this major shortcoming. There is no explanation in the commentaries aside from brief statements by Rashi and Shita Mekubetzes who seem to confirm that he was a respected Sage who confused his teachings, and was oddly to …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 26th, 2023

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

In the Quest for Truth, We Show No Favoritism Yevamos 82 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 27th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph uses a strange phrase, הא דרב אשי בדותא היא, which translates approximately as, “We must conclude that this teaching of Rav Ashi was mistaken.” The word בדותא translates into English with less contempt than the connotation In Hebrew. It is more than mistaken. It implies something made up without any basis (see Ran Nedarim 3a, “elah”, and Melachim 1:12:33.) It is difficult to un …

In Vino Veritas Bava Basra 96 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 29th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a principle of Oenology, which has halachic and metaphysical implications:   דאמר רבא: כל חמרא דלא דרי על חד תלת מיא – לאו חמרא הוא   Rava said: Any wine that does not contain three parts water to one part pure wine is not regarded as wine, as it is excessively strong.   In those days, the original wine mixture was so potent, that when they actually dran …

Inconvenient Truths Bava Metzia 58 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 26th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis gives examples of hurtful speech that taunts and belittles:   If one is a penitent, another may not say to him: Remember your earlier deeds. If one is the child of converts, another may not say to him: Remember the deeds of your ancestors. If one is a convert and he came to study Torah, one may not say to him: Does the mouth that ate unslaughtered carcasses and repugnant creatures, and creeping animals, comes to study …

Independence versus Interdependence Kesuvos 96 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 9th, 2022

Even though it is not good to be a burden on others, in close relationships, being able to receive kindness and service is a part of the relationship.  People want to feel needed and want to have the opportunity to give to those whom they love or regard.  Sometimes, resistance to love and intimacy hides behind false piety.   It can be a kindness to also accept, not just to give. Our Gemara on amud aleph tells us: אָמַר ר …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 10th, 2023

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

Inherited Difficulties Kesuvos 90 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 4th, 2022

Inheritances are serious business and no parents want their children to squabble about their yerusha. Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the institution of Kesubas Benin Dichrin, which is a rabbinic enactment designed to protect the mother’s familial assets.  The rabbis established a rule that the woman’s kesuba and accompanying Nedunya (dowry) shall go to her sons, and not any step brothers should the husband remarry.  There …

Innocent Until Improved Guilty Nedarim 76 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 9th, 2023

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

Insanity Plea Bava Kamma 94 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 4th, 2024

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

Inside or Outside? Bava Metzia 18 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 17th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis describes a rabbi’s quest for the correct halakha as “Nafak, Dak, Ve-ashkach - He went out, examined it, and discovered.”How does one “go out” and discover a thought? Is this not something that should be discovered by an inward journey?    Tosafos Yom Tov (2:9) says it refers to an intellectual journey. Midrash Shmuel (ibid) suggests it is a going out, because it is a letting go of a …

Insurrection Bava Basra 27 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 22nd, 2024

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

Intellectual Differences Between Men and Women Kiddushin 80 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 1st, 2023

In our Gemara on Amud Beis, there's a discussion regarding the vulnerabilities of women compared to men: גְּמָ׳ מַאי טַעְמָא? תְּנָא דְּבֵי אֵלִיָּהוּ: הוֹאִיל וְנָשִׁים דַּעְתָּן קַלּוֹת עֲלֵיהֶן. What is the reason that a man may not be secluded with two women, but a woman may be secluded with two men? The school of Eliyahu taught: Women are of light mind. The phrase …

Intellectual Greatness vs. Spiritual Greatness Yevamos 79 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 25th, 2022

The Gemara on Amud Aleph explains why Dovid Hamelech could not offer a reparation to the descendants of Shaul by making a proper but belated eulogy. “It is not the custom to make a eulogy after twelve months.” Why is it not the custom to do this? Rashi references a Gemara in Moed Kattan (21b) which is not referring only to eulogy, but in general we do not say Hamakom Yenachem after twelve months, because the person is already past the …

Intellectualized Defenses Pesachim 23 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 14th, 2020

The Gemara mentions a principle used in derashos known as אין ריבוי אחר ריבוי אלא למעט, one amplificatory expression after another is restrictive. Meaning, when the Torah includes an application of a law in one situation, and then in another verse includes it in another situation, it is deduced that in all other situations the law does not apply. The logic for this is that otherwise, if the law was only stated in one case, …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 25th, 2023

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

Internal and External Battles Bava Basra 85 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 18th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph continues discussing rules of acquisitions. An animal that can be acquired by pulling it into an area that is in his possession, but not by merely pulling it into an area that is not under his ownership. Panim Yafos (Matos) uses this Halacha to explain an anomalous feature of the spoils of war from the Biblical battle with Midyan (Bamidbar 31). In other Biblical wars, the soldiers were allowed to keep the booty, unless de …

Intimacy is not just Sexuality Eruvin 63 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 9th, 2020

  אָמַר רַב בְּרוֹנָא אָמַר רַב: כׇּל הַיָּשֵׁן בְּקִילְעָא שֶׁאִישׁ וְאִשְׁתּוֹ שְׁרוּיִין בָּהּ, — עָלָיו הַכָּתוּב אוֹמֵר: ״נְשֵׁי עַמִּי תְּגָרְשׁוּן מִבֵּית תַּעֲנוּגֶיהָ״. With regard to the neglect of the commandment of procreation, Rav Beruna said that Rav said: Whoever sleeps in …

Intuition Versus Logic Psychology of the Daf Yomi Gittin 50

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 5th, 2023

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

Intuitive Truth Versus Logical Truth Gittin 14 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 30th, 2023

Our gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a certain law as “a halakha without a reason”. The Aramaic word used is, “Hilkhesa”, which is also used to mean a Halakha LeMoshe Misinai, an oral legal tradition that is part of an ancient chain of teachings, even stemming back to Moshe. It is notable that Rashi understands this use of the word “Hilkhesa” to literally mean Halakha LeMoshe Misinai.  Rashi’s explanat …

Irrational Parental Requests Kesuvos 40 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 15th, 2022

What is the extent and nature of the commandment to honor parents? Is it to honor requests of substance that bring them benefit, as enumerated by Gemara Kiddushin (31b, quoted below), or is it even to honor their requests that have no concrete benefit? In other words, if your father or mother ask you to pour them a glass of tea, this is honoring their request and brings them a concrete benefit. But what about if one’s parents say, “Do …

Is a Rabbinic Derasha the Same as Torah Law? Sotah 16 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 9th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph describes a certain rabbinic derasha about Metzora as “Miderabanan”. This is an odd text because usually the term Midreabanan refers to laws that are rabbinic additions, not laws derived from derashos. The obvious difference being that something derived from a derasha has the force of a Torah law, and not subject to certain leniencies, such as physical duress, or following the lenient opinion when in doubt.&nb …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 8th, 2024

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

Is Good Stronger than Evil? Sotah 11 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 9th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us that not only does God punish measure for measure, but God also rewards measure for measure. Additionally, the reward is much more than just an equal measure, because the Middah of goodness is greater than the Middah of punishment.  אֲמַר לֵיהּ רָבָא הָא וְכֵן לְעִנְיַן הַטּוֹבָה קָתָנֵי אֶלָּא אָמַר רָבָא הָכִי קָתָנֵי וְכֵן ל …

Is it Ever OK If Parents Argue? Bava Kamma 25 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 27th, 2023

Our Gemara has on Amud Aleph discusses the source for the principle of Dayo Laba Min Hadin Liyhos Kanidon. Dayo is a limiting principle on the derivation of a Kal Vachomer. A kal v’chomer is the first of the thirteen hermeneutical principles that tradition says we use to understand and derive Torah laws. A kal v’chomer works by making an assumption that if this rule applies to one one situation, surely in a more stringent situation it …

Is It Love, Or Is It Hate? Sotah 9 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 5th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the evil plans that the Serpent had for Adam and Chava, namely to eliminate Adam as his rival. His plan was to incite Chava to eat from the forbidden Tree of Knowledge, which would lead her to giving Adam to eat as well. Adam would die as result, so he can have Chava all to himself.  The Maharsha raises the obvious question:  If Chava ate from the forbidden tree, would this not also result in her death? …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 1st, 2024

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

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 11th, 2023

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

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 17th, 2020

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

Is it Possible to be Forgiven by God Without Repentance? Bava Basra 89 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 22nd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the moral obligation to be absolutely scrupulous when it comes to honest weights and measures. This obligation and prohibition extends to the degree that one is not even allowed to have an accurate measures around the house, despite using them for other purposes, with no intention to defraud anybody:   A person may not keep in his house a measure that is too small or too large, even if it is used as a chambe …

Is it Wrong to Abuse an Artificial Intelligence Shabbos 128

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 12th, 2020

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

Is “Marrying Up” Good For You? Kiddushin 49 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 1st, 2023

Our Gemara on Daf 48 begins a discussion about a scenario where a woman was betrothed with a specific sum of money or another positive condition, and it turns out that she was given more money, an object of greater value, or a superior condition was met: מַתְנִיָּא: "הִתְקַדְּשִׁי לִי בְּכוֹס זֶה שֶׁל יַיִן" וְנִמְצָא שֶׁל דְּבַשׁ, "שֶׁל דְּבַשׁ" וְנִמְצָא שֶׁ …

Is Mortality a Punishment or a Gift? Kesuvos 43 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 18th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the principle of Modeh Bekenas Patur.  That is, if a defendant admits in court prior to prosecution by witnesses, he is exempt from fines.  Such as, the thief who normally would be fined double payment if convicted, can pre-empt this fine by confessing prior to witnesses testifying against him.  He then is only obligated to pay the principle and no further punitive damages. Yismach Moshe (Bereishi …

Is Repentance a Precondition for Redemption Bava Basra 117 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 20th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses how the Land of Israel was allocated to the incoming generation of Jews as they completed their wandering of forty years:   Rabbi Yoshiya says: Eretz Yisrael was divided among those who left Egypt, as it is stated: “According to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit” (Numbers 26:55), which teaches that the Jewish people would inherit Eretz Yisrael according to the names of …

Is Satan Real? Bava Metzia 94 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 31st, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis refers to a scriptural stylistic principle:   דִּבְּרָה תוֹרָה כִלְשׁוֹן בְּנֵי אָדָם   The Torah uses the idiom and vernacular.    Thus, repetitions, exaggerations and figures of speech that enhance the poetic experience and nature of the narrative are theologically legitimate, and not a sign of imperfection. God designed the Torah to be meaningful on many planes of p …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 6th, 2022

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

Is the Torah Always Reasonable? Yevamos 17 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 24th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the scriptural source for אשת אחיו שלא היה בעולמו. What is אשת אחיו שלא היה בעולמו? Although there are variations, the simple case is that of Reuven who married Rachel, and then dies childless. After Reuven dies, Reuven’s father has another boy (through Reuven’s mother or another wife), Shimon, who is of course Reuven’s brother. Ordinarily Shimon, who is a b …

Is There a Natural Moral Sense? Bava Metzia 8 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 7th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph makes a seemingly contradictory assertion that a deaf mute is lacking in enough intelligence or discernment to acquire possessions. The rabbis enacted a ruling that regardless, they should be allowed to possess objects. This was in order to forestall and protect a vulnerable population (the mentally impaired) from financial abuse.  If two people pick up an ownerless object at the same time, they acquire it jointly, e …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 18th, 2024

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

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 19th, 2024

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

It Could be Heaven or it Could be Hell Nedarim 54 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 18th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes medical advice from the Great Amora, Rosh Yeshiva and Physician, Shmuel: אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: נוּן סָמֶךְ עַיִן — נוּנָא סַמָּא לְעֵינַיִם! as Shmuel said an acronym: Nun, samekh, ayin, which stands for: Nuna samma la’einayim, which means: Fish is a medicine for eyes.  Maharsha says that the Jews, when they were complaining about the Man, also hinted at …

It Doesn’t Grow on Trees, You Know! Or…Does It? Bava Basra 95 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 27th, 2024

Our Gemara on this daf discussed wine that begins to become vinegary, and at what point does it lose its status of wine. In such a case, the blessing might revert from “Hagafen - He who creates the fruit of the vine” back to “Shehakol”, the universal blessing that one makes for foods that do not grow or have a specific status, drinks, meat, and other items.  Food items that have distinction or unique status tend to ge …

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