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Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R The Daf Yomi through a Psychological Lens.
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Torah Prerequisites Bava Metzia 54 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 22nd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis makes a derivation from the word, “veyassaf - he will add”, that the ⅕ penalty for redeeming a consecrated object applies even to a situation of ⅕ on ⅕. This occurs in a case where a consecrated item is redeemed with another consecrated item (now with an additional ⅕). If this item is to be redeemed, he must now add a ⅕ onto this new item, which is effectively ⅕ on ⅕.   Gilyonei Shas (Yevamos …
Yoma 13 Letting Go, and Letting Get Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 23rd, 2021

Our Gemara discusses certain kinds of conditional divorces which are not valid: If a man says to his wife: This is your bill of divorce on condition that you will not drink wine for all the days of my life and your life, that is not severance. The bill of divorce in the Torah is called a bill of severance, meaning that for the document to be valid all connections between the husband and wife must be severed. If there is a provision in the documen …
Yoma 12 Avoiding Relationship Gridlock Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 23rd, 2021

Our Gemara discusses the problem of what happens when a new Cohin Godol is nominated due to an invalidation of the prior Cohen Godol.  When the original Cohen Godol recovers from whatever it is that invalidated him, he is restored the office. What do we do with the second appointee? The Gemara says that we cannot demote him back to ordinary service because that would be a diminution of holiness. However, he cannot remain and share the office …
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 …
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 …
Rewarding Bad Behavior Sotah 26 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 24th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a dispute between Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Yishmael regarding what benefits accrue for the woman who goes through the Sotah ordeal and is  proven innocent. The verse states, “And she shall be cleared, and shall conceive seed” (Numbers 5:28) but how far does this go?: דְתַנְיָא וְנִקְּתָה וְנִזְרְעָה [זָרַע] שֶׁאִם הָיְתָה עֲקָרָה נִפְקֶד …
Unconscious Communication Bava Metzia 56 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 24th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph uses a scriptural derivation and comparison between real estate and Canaanite slaves. Just as the regular laws of overcharging or undercharging do not apply to real estate, so too, in regard to slaves, they do not apply.   Rav Yonasan Eibshutz (Yaaros Devash 1:17) uses this ruling to explain a deeper idea behind Esther’s plea to Achashverosh (Esther 7:4):   Had we only been sold as slaves, I would have kep …
Yoma 15 Does True Evil Exist Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 25th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discussed the directive that one should always turn toward the right side. This is a pervasive value statement which comes up in numerous halachos. The right side is treated as more important. Pele Yoetz under the entry for “Yamin” lists several halakhic procedures that should be done right side first. The right shoe should be placed on first, and the right side of a garment should be put on first, especially E …
Sharing the Burdens of Life Together Sotah 27 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 25th, 2023

  תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן אֲשֶׁר תִּשְׂטֶה אִשָּׁה תַּחַת אִישָׁהּ לְהַקִּישׁ אִישׁ לְאִשָּׁה וְאִשָּׁה לְאִישׁ לְמַאי הִלְכְתָא אָמַר רַב שֵׁשֶׁת כְּשֵׁם שֶׁאִם הוּא סוֹמֵא לֹא הָיָה מַשְׁקָהּ דִּכְתִיב וְנֶעְלַם מֵעֵינֵי אִישָׁהּ כָּךְ הִיא אִם …
You Made the Wine, I Just Made the Grapes Bava Metzia 57 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 25th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis rules that the oath and various other obligations of a watchman are not applicable when it is an item that belongs to the Temple treasury. The verse states, “His peer” (Shemos 22:6) , which excludes something belonging to the sacred coffers.    Ohr Hachaim (ibid) offers a metaphysical-legal explanation. There is a well known exemption from obligations of the watchmen or borrower when we consider the o …
Yoma 16 Kosher but Still Repulsive Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 26th, 2021

Our Gemara tells us that there was a chamber in the Temple where invalidated stones from the altar were stored. These were stones that were removed from the altar as a result of having been contaminated through idolatrous worship by gentile kings during the time of the Hasmoneans. Tosafos Yom Tov (Middos 1:1) questions how this is a proper rationale for demolishing part of the altar. The actual halakha is that something attached to the ground can …
Technically Not a Sin, Oh But it Is! Sotah 28 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 26th, 2023

  Our Gemara on amud aleph tells us that a husband who commits sins cannot expect the waters of Sotah to work.  He only has the right to make such moral demands on her if his own behavior is free of sin. דְּאִי אִית בֵּיהּ עָוֹן בָּדְקִי לֵיהּ מַיָּא כִּי אִית בֵּיהּ עָוֹן בְּדִידֵיהּ מִי בָּדְקִי לַהּ מַיָּא לְדִידַהּ וְהָא תַּנ …
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 …
Mind Reader or Emotion Reader? Bava Metzia 66 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 26th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the implications of a person who appears calm but perhaps he is not. The Gemara sometimes rules that a verbal commitment is binding as there is a clear indication of serious intent, while other times we assume he was under some kind of duress and offered an empty verbal assurance but made no kinyan (physical act of transfer or acquisition) to solidify the transaction. The actual halachos are complex however we wi …
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 …
Profiting from the Prophets Bava Metzia 64 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 26th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph uses the Hebrew word “Sachar” to describe the potential and likelihood for profit versus loss that one can achieve in a business venture. If he is a silent partner with another by contributing the funds and the other contributes the business efforts, whether it is categorized as charging interest via the profit or merely being in a partnership depends on many factors, including that there is equal or greater l …
The Illusion of Control Bava Metzia 63 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 26th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis conceptualizes the prohibition of charging interest as any financial compensation that is an incentive for the lender to delay payment of his debt. In essence, time is money, and the charging of interest is an enactment of the value that having access to money at one time over another brings profit. Assuming that the rate of interest is not exploitative, the Torah asks us to run against a normal instinct to manage money wi …
A Life Worth Living Bava Metzia 62 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 26th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud aleph discusses the famous moral dilemma of a circumstance where you must choose between another person’s survival or your own survival, such as you are in the desert with another person, and only have enough water for one person to survive.  Ben Petora taught: It is preferable that both of them drink and die, and let neither one of them see the death of the other. Until Rabbi Akiva came and taught that the verse sta …
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 …
An Absorbent Jew Bava Metzia 59 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 26th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud beis discusses the ways in which Dovid Hamelech was verbally tormented by his critics:   They torment me to the extent that even at the time when they are engaged in the public study of the halachos of leprous sores and tents in which there is a corpse, they say to me: David, one who engages in adultery, what form of execution do they give him? And I say to them: An adulterer who commits this sin with a married woman befor …
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 …
Yoma 17 The “Right” Way to Do Things Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 27th, 2021

Our Gemara again discusses the preference of right over left. On Daf 15 we investigated this concept metaphysically. I just wanted to add some more thoughts on this matter:   What happens when we want to know what the weather is? Do we look out the window, or do we look at an app on our phone? What about if you want to know what time sunset is in order to pray? Do we look out the window or do we look at the Myzmanim app our phone? The point …
More on the Psychology of Rabbinic and Torah Laws Sotah 29 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 27th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis, quoting our Mishna on Daf 27b, explains that Rabbi Yochanan predicted that a later generation of Sanhedrin will overturn Rabbi Akiva’s Kal V’chomer.  Maharitz Chayes on Daf 27 notes that this Gemara is a strong proof to the Rambam’s position (Laws of Mamerin (2:1) that a different Sanhedrin from a later generation can overturn rulings of a prior Sanhedrin based on derashos and limmudim, even of they …
Jung's Greatest Hits
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 28th, 2019

Carl Jung was a student of Sigmund Freud.  Unlike Freud, he had a deep and positive interest in spirituality, religion, and mysticism.  His psychological theories were still what we would call psychodynamic, in a sense that they involve understanding the ways that unconscious conflicts affect and determine functional or dysfunctional behavior.  However, his understanding of the inner drives and conflicts were more universal and rel …
Abortion Early Pregnancy Loss Trauma and Shame
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 28th, 2020

The following is a guest post from Chaya Feuerman, LCSW-R 
You lost your baby. You’re no longer pregnant. It’s a long story. You don’t want to talk about it. The doctors. The Rabbis. The Dayan. They all said you had to do it. You can’t talk about it. Nobody knows what really happened. Your husband refuses to talk to you about the baby. He doesn’t want you to bring it up ever again. You must move on. Everyo …
Yoma 18 She Is Not Your Object Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 28th, 2021

Our Gemara records a seemingly bizarre practice of Rav and Rav Nachman:  When they would travel to a foreign city without their wives, they would seek a temporary wife, so as to save them from temptation. Needless to say, this Gemara runs against modern sensibilities.  But not just for the moderns, Ben Yeyohada also cannot accept this Gemara literally as stated. He finds it repugnant that anyone, let alone rabbis, could behave in such a …
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 …
Sing Baby, Sing Sotah 30 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 28th, 2023

    Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the levels of prophecy that occurred at the splitting of the Red Sea and how the Jews and Moshe responded via the prophetic singing of Az Yashir: תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן דָּרַשׁ רַבִּי יוֹסֵי הַגְּלִילִי בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁעָלוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל מִן הַיָּם נָתְנוּ עֵינֵיהֶם לוֹמַר שִׁירָה וְכֵיצַד אָמ …
Beautifying or Deceiving? Bava Metzia 60 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 28th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses deceitful business practices, such as feeding an animal in a certain way to make it temporarily appear more robust than it actually is, or grooming a slave and dyeing his hair so he will appear younger.  Rav Yaakov Emden (Hagahos Ya’avetz, ibid) discusses if it is permitted for a woman of marriageable age to adorn herself with make-up and other cosmetics to appear pretty, and rules that it is permitte …
Yoma 19 Cold Feet and Insomnia Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 29th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis Records a practice of helping the Cohen Godol stay awake by placing his feet on the cold marble floor. Indeed, there is a scientific basis for this idea.  A paper published in the Journal Nature (1999)  https://www.nature.com/articles/43366.epdf?sharing_token=CfJJi5x59F3F2Zdd5qZuctRgN0jAjWel9jnR3ZoTv0McdLoGBqBWDxzYnDuZ89VSsOd_gDIC6yu7SbDYXsM9a63iLB7KHJyKS_Os-MtnAFZReWxUmFpT8xd8_HyFdpoMYMXGDBhQMfwABn_AKxbPCfBP2kwn …
Cutting Through Grief: A Torah Perspective on Self-Harm Makkos 21 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 29th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the prohibition of tearing or cutting skin out of grief. The verse states (Devarim 14:1): “You are children of your God. You shall not gash yourselves or shave the front of your heads because of the dead.” Tosafos in Yevamos (13b, “Deamar”) asks: If so, how can it be that Rabbi Akiva hit himself until he bled over the death of Rabbi Eliezer (see Sanhedrin 68a)? Tosafos offers two answers: …
Shekalim 14 When Your Children Do Not Turn Out As You Expected Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 2nd, 2021

Our Gemara tells us the tragic story about Nehunya who was the official well digger for the Temple. He had a special intuition to know where to dig for water and what rocks contain access underground aquifers. Yet, in a bizarre twist of fate, his own son died of thirst. The Gemara says this shows us that G-d can be exacting upon those who are most pious. That is, G-d may be patient and wait for others to repent because he knows they need time, bu …
Shekalim 13 People Talking Without Listening Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 2nd, 2021

The Gemara Tells of two incidents where there was such a drought that no new growing barley could be found for the Korban Omer. Each time, there was only one person who knew where to find fresh sprouting barley. Unfortunately, the person was mute and could only make motions with his hands. In each instance it was the Sage Pesachya, (who is otherwise known as Mordechai), who was able to decipher the hand motions and know where the barley was to be …
Shekalim 12 Those Who Help Themselves Help G-d Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 2nd, 2021

Our Gemara discusses the requirement that an olah sacrifice must be a male animal and a sin offering must be a female animal. What is the reason for this? Rambam in his Guide for the Perplexed (III:46) offers practical reason: The greater the sin, the less dignified and worthy is the sacrifice. The male animal is more valuable (it can be used for burdens in the field and can sire offspring. Therefore the male animal is set aside for the Olah, whi …
Keyn Nit Tantzen Oif Tzvey Chasunes Yevamos 26 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 2nd, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the circumstances of the Mishna on 25b. A judge who was unable to find grounds to annul a woman’s vows, which led to her getting divorced, may not marry that woman. This is to prevent appearances of improper bias, such as the judge having a secret motive to marry her, thus sabotaging her current marriage. 
It is important for judges to maintain the highest standards and be free of suspicion. Yet …
Who is Wrong? The Rebbe or the Student? Sotah 4 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 2nd, 2023

People from my parents’ generation used to draw a comparison to the old style of chinuch versus the new post Dr. Spock generation. In the old days, if a child came home from school and was crying that the teacher hit him, the parent would hit him again and say, I“If your teacher hit you, it must be for a good reason!“ While in our times, if a child came home, complaining that the teacher hit him, the parents would rush to the sc …
Safeguard Your Body and Soul Bava Metzia 34 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 2nd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the responsibilities of a free watchman, who is exempt from financial obligations if he claims it was stolen while adequate safeguards were taken. He must make an oath to affirm this. If he is reluctant to swear (pious individuals avoid making oaths even when true), he has the option to pay for the object. In an interesting twist of fate, if the thief was found, the thief now pays the object plus his additional …
Reeds vs. Cedars: Exile’s Comforted Blessing Sanhedrin 106 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 2nd, 2025

Our Gemara at the end of 105b into 106a compares the curse of Ahijah the Shilonite to the blessing of Bilaam:
Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani says that Rabbi Yonatan says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are importunate” (Proverbs 27:6)? Better is the curse that Ahijah the Shilonite cursed the Jewish people than the blessing that Balaam the wicked blessed …
Yoma 21 Amen, and A-Women! Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 30th, 2021

Our Gemara lists a number of miracles that occurred in the Beis HaMikdash, including that a pregnant woman never miscarried as a result of smelling the cooking sacrificial meats and craving them, as well as that the Coeh Gadol never had a nocturnal seminal emission on Yom Kippur night. What was the exact miracle regarding the pregnant women not miscarrying?  Some quote in the name of Rashi that the women would feel cravings for the meat, not …
Yoma 20 No Atheists in the Foxholes of Life Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 30th, 2021

The Sages taught: Three sounds travel from the end of the world to its other end, and these are: The sound of the sphere of the sun, and the sound of the bustle of the crowds of Rome, and the sound of the soul at the moment that it leaves the body, which should be audible throughout the world. And some say: Even the sound of a woman giving birth. What are we discussing? Based on Kli Yakkar (Bereishis 32:25) and Yismach Moshe (Bo 19:1) the Gemara …
Location Is Everything Sotah 32 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 30th, 2023

Our gemara on Amud Beis notes that the sin offering (chattas) is sacrificed in the same location:  וּגְנוּתוֹ בְּקוֹל רָם וְהָאָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן יוֹחַי מִפְּנֵי מָה תִּקְּנוּ תְּפִלָּה בְּלַחַשׁ כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא לְבַיֵּישׁ אֶת עוֹבְרֵי עֲבֵירָה שֶׁהֲר …
Tightly Bound: The Ephod and Breastplate’s Spiritual Synergy Makkos 22 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 30th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the biblical prohibition against removing the breastplate from the ephod. (The ephod is an embroidered garment attached to the breastplate, part of the vestments worn by the high priest.) The verse states: “And the breastplate shall not be separated (yizach) from the ephod” (Shemos 28:28). The Hebrew word yizach is a hapax legomenon, appearing only once in the Torah (Rasag, Introduction to Sefer Hami …
Majority in Halakha: Get the Whole Story Yevamos 27 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 3rd, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the well known Talmudic principle Of רובו ככולו the majority is considered as if it is the complete whole. There are numerous halakhic applications of this principle such as slaughtering most of the animal’s windpipe and foodpipe counts as it being fully cut, or closing most of a walled area as if it is fully closed. 
The Chasam Sofer (OC #140) discusses a famous question: If we say tha …
The Waking Dead Sotah 5 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 3rd, 2023

In the Lecha Dodi liturgy that we recite Friday night, which welcomes Shabbos and the redemption, there seems to be an incorrect ordering of these two stanzas: הִתְנַעֲרִי מֵעָפָר קוּמִי, לִבְשִׁי בִּגְדֵי תִפְאַרְתֵּךְ עַמִּי, עַל יַד בֶּן יִשַּׁי בֵּית הַלַּחְמִי, קָרְבָה אֶל נַפְשִׁי גְּאָלָהּ:   Shake the dust off yo …
Who Deserves Wealth? Bava Metzia 35 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 3rd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a judgment that people seem to have when comparing the wealthy to the impoverished. In certain halachic/legal situations, there is an assumption that the borrower trusts the lender’s financial assessment but not the reverse; the lender does not trust the borrower. One reason given for this by the Gemara is that people assume God would not have rewarded this man with wealth unless he was trustworthy. Conver …
Stir Up a Hornet’s Nest Sanhedrin 107 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 3rd, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses King David’s religious test:
A person should never bring himself to undergo a test of faith, as David, king of Israel, brought himself to undergo a test of faith and failed. David said before God: Master of the Universe, for what reason does one say in prayer: God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, and one does not say: God of David?  God said to David: They have undergone ordeals befor …
Be Strong, Victory is at Hand Yevamos 28 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 4th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us that a certain Mishna could not be understood by Rabbi Yochanan. That is he could not find a single Tanna’s position that could satisfactorily explain the halakhic outcome of the Mishna. We won’t get into the specific shakla v’tarya of the Gemara other than to note that part of Rabbi Yochanan’s assertion hinged on maintaining that the halakha does not factor in a concern of death in otherw …
Just the Flax, Ma’am Sotah 6 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 4th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis rules that a woman about whom there are strong rumors of infidelity, to the extent that she is the object of a particular kind of gossip, does not drink the Sotah waters:  הִיא וְלֹא שֶׁיִּשְׂאוּ וְיִתְּנוּ בָּהּ מוֹזְרוֹת בַּלְּבָנָה The baraisa continues: The next word in the verse, “she [hee],” excludes a third case: But not where she, i.e., her in …
On Loan from God Bava Metzia 36 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 4th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the curious Halacha that there are times when one watchman can hand over the object to another watchman and be completely dismissed of any further obligation, even without the owner’s expressed consent.   The phrase used is Shomer Shemasar Leshomer. Midrash Shmuel on Avos (1:1) notes that the Hebrew word “massar” (M-S-R) “to give” has a different connotation than the Hebrew wor …
Being God Fearing Isn’t Rocket Science Sanhedrin 109 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 4th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph gives us the midrashic backstory of the Tower of Bavel:
Rabbi Yirmeya bar Elazar says: They divided into three factions; one said: Let us ascend to the top of the tower and dwell there. And one said: Let us ascend to the top of the tower and engage in idol worship. And one said: Let us ascend to the top of the tower and wage war….

Rabbi Yoḥanan says: The uppermost third of the tower was burned, …
Too Holy to Handle Sanhedrin 108 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 4th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us about the fate of the Generation of the Exodus:
The members of the generation of the wilderness have no share in the World-to-Come and will not stand in judgment… this is the statement of Rabbi Akiva. Rabbi Eliezer says: The members of the generation of the wilderness were essentially righteous… It is they who entered into the covenant with God, and they will certainly be rewarded in the futur …
The Fault is Not in Our Stars
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 5th, 2020

When tragedies happen, we reflect.  I wish I was referring to the tragedy of Corona Virus, but that’s as they say, a halber tzura.  Instead, I am referring to the bizarre manner in which many of our Jewish brethren ignored warnings and signs about the dangers of this virus.  Certain strongholds of religious Jews have been violating in small degrees, and sometimes large, the social distancing safety practices. Shuls stayed ope …
Shekalim 15 Emotionally Intelligent Giving Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 5th, 2021

The eclipse of the Ego does not happen much more often than an Eclipse of the Sun, as they are equally matched in their grandiosity. Our Gemara details a number of situations that underscore the importance of using wisdom when one performs a good deed. They quote a verse in Psalms (41:2) “Fortunate is one who considers the poor.” אַ֭שְׁרֵי מַשְׂכִּ֣יל אֶל־דָּ֑ל  Notably, NOT one who GIVES to the poor, …
Woe Onto Him and Woe Onto Her Yevamos 29 Psychology of the Daf Yom
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 5th, 2022

Our Mishna on Amud Aleph discusses a scenario where unfortunately a person can end up having to divorce a woman whom he “married” through the action of ma’amar (which is the rabbinic Kiddushin-prelude to formal Yibum.) Should a second brother who was married to this woman’s sister also die childless, he now will have to divorce his current wife and do chalitzah to her, and do chalitzah to the sister. Why? Since ma’am …
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 …
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? …
Narcissism, Guilt and Self-Punishment Sotah 8 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 5th, 2023

Our Mishna on Amud Beis notes how providentially we find that the punishment fits the crime, as well as the Gemara later discussing that the reward also is commensurate, and even more, as we’ll discuss tomorrow on Daf 11. It is understood that the punishment and reward take on the same property or method as the original deed in order to show God’s providence, and it is not merely a coincidence. Is it true psychologically as well, is t …
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 …
Bread of Shame Bava Metzia 38 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 5th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph makes an assertion about the psychology of ownership pride in order to explain the following position stated by the Mishna:
In the case of one who deposits produce with another, even if it is lost due to spoilage or vermin, the watchman may not touch it, as it is not his. 
What is the reason that the first tanna said that the watchman should not touch the produce? Rav Kahana says that it is based on the p …
What Halachos Will Eliyahu Explain? Bava Metzia 37 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 5th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses several scenarios where there is an unresolved disposition of ownership:   In the case of two people who deposited money with one person, and this one deposited one hundred dinars and that one deposited two hundred dinars, and when they come to collect their deposit, this one says: My deposit was two hundred dinars, and that one says: My deposit was two hundred dinars, the bailee gives one hundred dinars to …
Shekalim 16 It’s Black and White Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 6th, 2021

Our Gemara tells us that the Torah was originally written with black fire engraved in white fire. Rashi Deuteronomy (33:2) brings a similar teaching. What is the meaning of this? The Maharal (Tiferes Yisroel 20) from what I can figure out seems to be saying that there are two kinds of potentialities in Torah. One is the active manifestation of G-d in his kindness and allowing things to exist through his power. This is how Avraham, who was known f …
Black Widow Yevamos 30 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 6th, 2022

Our Mishna on Amud Aleph discusses the scenario of a woman whose sister married her husband’s brother, and there is also another brother as well. The Mishna goes on to discuss what happens if the brother married to sister number one died childless, and then the other brother who was not married to the sister does Yibum. Should this brother also die childless, the third brother has no Mitzvah of Yibum since his dead brother’s wife also …
Moses and the Fake News Sanhedrin 110 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 6th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the ugly politics of the Korach rebellion. One aspect was an apparent smear campaign against Moshe, accusing him of adultery.
While on the face of it, such an accusation seems absurd, the straightforward message and lesson of the Gemara is that politics and rhetoric can become dirty. People in positions of power are intrinsically suspect and therefore must take extra steps to not even have the appearance o …
Shekalim 17 Deus Ex Machina Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 7th, 2021

The Gemara tells us the tragic story of the final days of the Bais HaMikdash. When King Yehoyachin Realized that it was inevitable that Nebuchadnezzar would capture the temple, he took the keys of the Temple, climbed up to the roof, and called out to G-d, ”Master of the Universe, in the past we were faithful to You and Your keys were handed over to us. Now that we are not faithful, Your keys are handed over to You.” There is a dispute …
Divorced From Reality Yevamos 31 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 7th, 2022

Our Gemara on amud aleph mentions that statistically, divorce is frequent, relative to a death by cave in and collapse of a building.  While we are on the topic of divorce statistics, I think we can all agree, that based on our own personal experiences, divorce is more prevalent now than other times in Jewish history. Fun fact:  In the Introduction to the eighth volume of the Iggeros Moshe, there is a biography of Rav Moshe that goes on …
Toxic Masculinity? Bava Metzia 39 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 7th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the connotation of the Hebrew word, netisha which translates approximately as, “abandon” or “leave behind”. The Torah (Shemos 23:11) commands that produce be abandoned in the field during the Shemittah year, as no commercial conduct is allowed.    Malbim on this verse notes that though Hebrew has another word for abandon, “Azivah”, the word “Netisha” has …
Relapse Prevention Yevamos 32 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 8th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph brings the opinion of Rabbi Yose who holds that in many situations we say, one prohibition does not fall upon another.  For example, if one were to engage in sexual relations with a woman who is forbidden on two counts, such as his mother in law, who also happens to be married, he incurs the penalty of the first prohibition that was activated even if the second prohibition has a more severe punishment.  The pena …
Special Eclipse Edition Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 8th, 2024

Eclipses and Torah Thought Psychology of the Daf, Special Edition The Gemara Succah (29a) states: ⁦When the sun is eclipsed it is a bad omen for the entire world. The Gemara tells a parable. To what is this matter comparable? It is comparable to a king of flesh and blood who prepared a feast for his servants and placed a lantern [panas] before them to illuminate the hall. He became angry at them and said to his servant: Take the lantern from be …
Mouse Psychology Bava Metzia 40 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 8th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses how to estimate normal depreciation and spoilage of produce, which has relevance when a watchman is returning an amount of produce deposited, but the original produce is no longer extant.  Thus, if he held 50 lbs of grain, and now is returning it, how much allowance should be made for spoilage?   The Rabbis hold that the amount is dependent according to the measure, and according to the time elapsed. R …
Does God Refuse Repair Attempts? Sanhedrin 112 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 8th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the concept of “The offering of the wicked is an abomination” (Proverbs 21:27). Although this verse comes from Mishlei, it appears to express an idea that is more than just rabbinic—it seems to be de’oraysa, a Torah principle. This is evident in its application to explain why the designated sacrifices of a person from an ir hanidachas, a condemned idolatrous city, must be destroyed and can …
Shekalim 20 Glatt Kosher Hypocrisy Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 9th, 2021

Our Gemara discusses various situations of meat and food whose chain of custody was broken, and thus we are unsure whether it is kosher. One such case discussed is when a kite bird swooped down and grabbed a piece of meat, and then brought it back. The question being, can we assume it is the same piece of meat, or another? This is similar to the situation described in Melachim (I:17:6) that ravens brought food to Eliyahu HaNavi while he was on th …
Shekalim 19 Don’t Surround Yourself with Yes Men Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 9th, 2021

Our Gemara tells about the pushka set up by Yehoyada the Cohen to collect funds for the renovation of the Beis HaMikdash in his times. This story is told over in Melachim II:12 and Divrei HaYamim II:24. The king at that time was Yehoash, and he has a very interesting story, with important lessons to be learned. He became king at a young age after being hidden in the Beis HaMikdash for six years (see Divrei HaYamim II:22:12, according to the Midra …
Shekalim 18 Spiritual Antenna Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 9th, 2021

  Our Gemara tells us that there were 10 additional menorahs and 10 additional tables made by Shlomo HaMelech in the Bais HaMikdash. There is a dispute as to whether or not they actually were used, that is kosher for being used, or they were merely ornamental. Why bother to make these additional sacred objects? And what is the meaning of the dispute? Rabbenu Bechaye (Shemos 25:10) does not answer this directly though he does point out a prob …
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 …
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:

…
The Blues Don’t Always Have to Bring You Down Sotah 17 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 9th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a mystical meditation that is inspired by the blue-like techeiles thread in the tzitzis: מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהַתְּכֵלֶת דּוֹמֶה לַיָּם, וְיָם דּוֹמֶה לָרָקִיעַ, וְרָקִיעַ דּוֹמֶה לְכִסֵּא הַכָּבוֹד — שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיִּרְאוּ אֵת אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְתַחַת רַגְלָיו כְּ …
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 …
Our Inner Exile Sotah 15 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 9th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis notes that the Sotah’s sacrifice is made of barley, which is considered animal food. The Gemara exhorts: She conducted herself in a beastly manner, therefore her sacrifice is that of a beastly food. It is important for us to reflect when reading such statements that they are not only for the Sotah, but are for all of us. Let us recall what we have learned on the first page of this Masechta: “Whoever sees the So …
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 …
A Mitzvah: Make No Bones About It Sotah 13 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 9th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us about Moshe’s retrieving the bones of Yosef while the Jews were caught up in grabbing the spoils from the drowned Egyptians: תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: בֹּא וּרְאֵה כַּמָּה חֲבִיבוֹת מִצְוֹת עַל מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּינוּ, שֶׁכׇּל יִשְׂרָאֵל כּוּלָּן נִתְעַסְּקוּ בַּבִּיזָּה, וְהוּא נִתְעַסֵּק בּ …
Sometimes It Is Best Not To Fight the Yetzer Hara Sotah 12 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 9th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Alpeh describes how beautiful Miriam had become, as indicated by various secondary names given to her by scripture. One name was Esnan, which means gift. However, it also is reminiscent of the scriptural use of this word in the context of payment given to a prostitute for sexual services (See Devarim 23:19). In Miriam’s case, the sexual charge is not seen as negative, and to the contrary, she is seen as somehow an inspira …
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 …
Weighing Sin Bava Metzia 41 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 9th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis considers the relative legal severity of two different kinds of watchmen: The free watchman, and the hired watchman. On a simple level, the hired watchman has more legal liability and severity than the free watchman. The hired watchman is liable for theft, and forms of non-negligent loss, while the free watchman can claim the object was stolen and be exempt, so long as he takes an oath that he employed an expected standard …
Succah 35 I-Thou and the High Holidays Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 10th, 2021

  Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us in regard to identifying that the verse is referring to an Esrog: GEMARA: The Sages taught that the verse states: “Fruit of a beautiful tree,” meaning, a tree that the taste of its tree trunk and the taste of its fruit are alike. What tree is that? You must say it is the esrog tree. There is a beautiful Zohar (I:220b) on this which interprets the function of the triad of Yamim Tovim in Tishrei: …
Backlash for Sins Kesuvos 35 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 10th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes the verse in Devarim (25:2-3) which are the scriptural source for the punishment of lashes. It is notable that though the verse states 40 lashes, there is a rabbinic tradition that seemingly overrides the explicit verse and the number of lashes is never to exceed 39.  (For more on the philosophical and psychological implications of this dichotomy, see Psychology of the Daf, Kesuvos 32.)  Regardless of the …
Courier Pigeon Gittin 86 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 10th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a unique feature of the dove, which has halakhic implications: Rav Daniel bar Rav Katina raises a challenge: "All birds disqualify water of purification by drinking from it, because some of the water spills from the bird’s beak back into the basin after being disqualified by having been in the bird’s mouth. This is the halakha with regard to all birds except for the pigeon, because it sucks the water, …
Eye Witnesses Avodah Zarah 53 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author:
August 10th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis uses an interesting phrase uttered by Ullah, expressing admiration and respect for Rav and Shmuel:Who shall give us of the dust of the graves covering Rav and Shmuel? We would fill our eyes with that dust, as they were great and holy men.What did Ullah wish to convey with this choice of words? Another Amora, Rav Chanina bar Pappi (Bava Basra 171b), makes the same declaration, so it’s a known idea, but we don’t know exa …
What is Torah Study? Psychology of the Daf Eruvin 2
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 11th, 2020

  סוכה דאורייתא תני פסולה מבוי דרבנן תני תקנתא The Gemara answers: With regard to sukka, since it is a mitzva by Torah law, the mishna teaches that it is unfit, as if it is not constructed in the proper manner, no mitzva is fulfilled. Whereas with regard to an alleyway, where the entire prohibition of carrying is only by rabbinic law, the mishna teaches the method of rectification, as the cross beam comes …
Succah 36 Break the Mold Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 11th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us a halakha that if an Esrog is grown in a mold and shaped to appear like a different entity, and it is no longer shaped like an esrog, it is unfit. Rav Moshe Avigdor Amiel 1882-1946) in his Derashos El Ami ( דרשות אל עמי שלש רגלים דיני אתרג ) sees a symbolic significance in this halacha. The most beautiful Esrog is the non-conventional lumpy one, not the perfectly smooth and round one. Fu …
Listen Your Way to a Better Intimate Life Kesuvos 36 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 11th, 2022

The great mystics saw God in everything.  The more physical something is, the more intensely spiritual potential is locked within it. After all, if God leaves a road sign, it pays to read it carefully.  When there is so much physical energy present, it is only the tip of the spiritual iceberg.  This is why erotic and sexual imagery is used constantly by the Zohar and other mystical works.  It’s much more than a metaphor. …
Divine Empathy Gittin 88 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 11th, 2023

In our Gemara on Amud Beis, we encounter a verse from Shemos (21:1): "וְאֵ֙לֶּה֙ הַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר תָּשִׂ֖ים לִפְנֵיהֶֽם׃" "These are the rules that you shall set before them." Be'er Mayim Chaim, in his commentary on this verse, draws attention to the phrase "before them." He notes that it would be more linguistically consistent to say "placing the rules upon them" instead. So, what is …
Taking Your Measurements Gittin 87 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 11th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis delves into the practices of a group of scrupulous sages known as the "נקיי הדעת שבירושלים" or "those of pure intellectual and characterological disposition." In this context, the Gemara discusses their preference for using precise words and avoiding unnecessary elaboration, especially when dealing with legal matters like a divorce bill. Rather than adding the descriptor "witness," they simply sign their n …
An Offer You Can’t Refuse Bava Basra 47 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 11th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a counterintuitive Halacha:   אמר רב הונא: תליוהו וזבין – זביניה זביני. מאי טעמא? כל דמזבין איניש, אי לאו דאניס – לא הוה מזבין, ואפילו הכי זביניה זביני. ודילמא שאני אונסא דנפשיה מאונסא דאחריני! אלא כדתניא:   If one was suspended, e.g., from a tree, and thereby …
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 …
Succah 37 Cut Out for Heresy Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 12th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis describes the ritual motions for shaking the four species: ⁦Rabbi Yoḥanan said: He moves them to and fro to dedicate them to He Whom the four directions are His. He raises and lowers them to He Whom the heavens and earth are His. In the West, Eretz Yisrael, they taught it as follows. Rabbi Ḥama bar Ukva said that Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi Ḥanina, said: He moves them to and fro in order to request a halt to harmful …
Respect for Psychological and Physical Torment of the Victim Kesuvos 37 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 12th, 2022

The Torah’s response to accidental death when there is a degree of negligence is for the perpetrator to go into exile until the death of the Cohen Godol, as our Gemara on Amud Beis describes. But what is the reason for exile?  The verses offer a mixed message because there is reference to not accepting payment as exchange for forgiveness (as described in our Gemara), which implies exile is a form of penance, yet the verses also speak o …
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 …
Punishment and Forbearance Even When It Looks Bad Avodah Zara 55 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
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August 12th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph records a polemical discussion with Rabbi Akiva:Zunin said to Rabbi Akiva: Both my heart and your heart know that there is no substance to idol worship. Nevertheless, don’t we see people who are lame go to worship idols and come back with restored function? What is the reason for this?
Rabbi Akiva said to Zunin: I will relate a parable to you. To what is this matter comparable? It is comparable to a trusted person wh …
Man Must Finish the Job Avodah Zarah 54 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author:
August 12th, 2025

The Mishna on Amud Beis records a polemic between Roman philosophers and our Jewish sages:
The gentiles asked the Jewish Sages who were in Rome: If it is not God’s will that people should engage in idol worship, why does He not eliminate it?
The Sages said to them: Were people worshipping only objects for which the world has no need, He would eliminate it. But they worship the sun and the moon and the stars and the constellations. Should …
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 …
Succah 39 Each Jew Has The Ability To Create New Torah Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 13th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph uses an interesting idiom to refer to a Torah sage. He was called a “Moshe”, as a term of endearment. The obvious meaning is that every sage is like his own Moses. This idea is taken to the fullest extent in mystical writings. The Benei Yissachar ( בני יששכר תמוז-אב ג-יב ) says that when each Jewish person contemplates Torah, he becomes a spark of Moshe Rabbenu’s neshama. Even more drama …
Overconfidence Bias Vs. Shlom Bayis Vs. Shlom Bayis Psychology of the Daf Yomi Succah 38
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 13th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis rells us about King Yoshiyahu’s repentance that was aroused after hearing the words of rebuke in the Torah, which can be found in II Kings 22). Chovos Halevavos (Gate III, Avodas Elokim:10) discussed the virtue of humility, which Yoshiyahu displayed, and allowed him to take the rebuke fully to heart. Let us study the virtue of humility from a psychological perspective. According to researchers  Hendijani & S …
Seeing is Feeling Gittin 89 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 13th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis introduces an intriguing idiom used to describe a precocious young child: "Flagos Reuven" (פלגות ראובן). This idiom finds its origin in a verse from the song of Devorah (Judges 5:15-16): "And the princes of Issachar were with Devorah, As Barak, so was Issachar— They rushed at his heels into the valley; Among the flagos of Reuven Were great decisions of heart. "Why did you stay among the sheepfolds, To hear …
Managing Unacceptable Thoughts by Accepting Bava Basra 49 Psychology of the Daf YomiThem
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 13th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis describes a legal process of rejecting a pending inheritance or acquisition:   With regard to an inheritance that comes to a person from another place, i.e., an inheritance one will receive in the future, a person can make a condition about it from the outset that he will not inherit it, since one can waive his future rights to property that is not currently his.    Sod Yesharim (First Night of Pesach 46) di …
Brilliant but Not Yet Bar Mitzvah Avodah Zara 55 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author:
August 13th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the case of a child prodigy who, at a young age, mastered the entire tractate of Avodah Zarah. The simple reading implies that they even relied on his halachic rulings. This raises a halachic question: Can one rely on a learned minor?
Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein (Peninei Chashukei Chemed, Vaera, 5779; see also Shulchan Aruch CM 7:3) notes that while Tosafos here understands they were actually asking the child for …
Too Strict? Psychology of the Daf Eruvin 6
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 14th, 2020

  וּמִי עָבְדִינַן כִּתְרֵי חוּמְרֵי? וְהָא תַּנְיָא: לְעוֹלָם הֲלָכָה כְּבֵית הִלֵּל, וְהָרוֹצֶה לַעֲשׂוֹת כְּדִבְרֵי בֵּית שַׁמַּאי עוֹשֶׂה, כְּדִבְרֵי בֵּית הִלֵּל עוֹשֶׂה. מִקּוּלֵּי בֵּית שַׁמַּאי וּמִקּוּלֵּי בֵּית הִלֵּל — רָשָׁע. …
Deus Ex Machina The Torah is Not in Heaven Psychology of the Daf Eruvin 7
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 14th, 2020

Maseches Eruvin Daf Sheva for Video Shiur click here to listen:  Psychology of the DAF Eruvin 7 תורה לא בשמים היא Rashi References the Gemara in Bava Metzia 59b עמד רבי יהושע על רגליו ואמר (דברים ל, יב) לא בשמים היא מאי לא בשמים היא אמר רבי ירמיה שכבר נתנה תורה מהר סיני אין אנו משגיחין בבת קול שכבר כתבת בהר סיני …
G-d is in the Details Safek Deraban Psychology of the Daf Eruvin 5
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 14th, 2020

Eruvin Daf  ספק דרבנן לקולא  Famous Question of השגת הרמב״ן on Rambam Sefer Hamitzvos Shoresh 1: If rabbinic laws come from לא תסור, then they are deoraysa too. If so, why ספק דרבנן לקולא ספק דאורייתא לחומרא for Video Shiur click here to listen:  Psychology of the DAF Eruvin 5  The Ramban asks this question, and then suggests the obvious answer, that the rabbis build i …
It is Not Fine at All Kesuvos 38 and 39 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 14th, 2022

It seems to be a staple of modern and ancient law, and even aspects of halacha to enact  fines upon perpetrators.  Our Gemara on Amud Aleph (see Rashi as well) notes that the institution of fines represent an extra-judicial response that is not about compensation per se, but some form of punishment.  According to the Klein Dictionary, the etymology of the word Kenas is Greek. It is related to the word census, which is to count.&nbs …
Rabbi Akiva’s Perspective on Beauty Gittin 90 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 14th, 2023

Our Mishna on Amud Aleph discusses a fundamental three-way dispute regarding the permissibility of divorce:   בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים, לֹא יְגָרֵשׁ אָדָם אֶת אִשְׁתּוֹ אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן מָצָא בָהּ דְּבַר עֶרְוָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברים כד), כִּי מָצָא בָהּ עֶרְוַת דָּבָר. וּבֵית הִלֵּל אוֹמְרִים, א …
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 …
Davening: Terminable and Interminable
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 15th, 2018

As a son of a community Rabbi and Principal, one of my earliest memories is DREADING the High Holy Days. I used to literally count how many days it was until next Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur like most kids would count how many days before school starts. Being a child of a public role model, I was expected at an early age to sit quietly and attentively during prayers. To make matters worse, in my childhood there was no genre of English Judaica. W …
Succah 40 Denial and Mindfulness Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 15th, 2021

The Gemara on Amud Beis describes the downfall of a person who is not mindful of the laws prohibiting commerce with produce of the Sabbatical year: A person who engages in commerce with Sabbatical-Year produce is ultimately punished with the loss of his wealth to the point that he is forced to sell his movable property and his vessels, as it is stated: “In this year of Jubilee you shall return every man unto his possession” (Leviticus …
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 …
Being in the Zone Bava 51 Basra Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 15th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph records a discussion where one sage mentions that the other was not within our “techum” so he was not able to join the discussion. The word “techum” in Hebrew, translates to the word boundary.    Rashbam interprets this literally, explaining that in those times they would establish the Beis Midrash (study hall) on the border of the city, allowing others from nearby cities who are within t …
Turmusa Trouble: The Bitter Brew of Jewish Boldness Avodah Zara 59 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author:
August 15th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the preparatory and cooking process of the Turmusa (lupine) bean, and how this affects its halachic status if cooked by a gentile. Apparently, for this bean to become edible, it requires an extensive process of cooking and re-cooking.A different Gemara (Beitzah 25b) uses the metaphor of the cooking process of the Turmusa to describe the stubbornness of the Jewish people:The lupine [turmus], an extremely bitter l …
A Well-Mixed Maseches Avodah Zara 58 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author:
August 15th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis ponders the exact definition of a particular Aramaic word for mixing wine and its relation to its Hebrew form. In the process, it cites a verse from Mishlei (9:2):
“She has prepared the feast, mixed the wine, and also set the table.”
The Aramaic mazag and Hebrew masach both refer to the process of diluting wine with water. In the ancient world, wine was apparently a kind of syrup or thick concentrate, mixed with …
Succah 41 Recovery Hinges On Working WITH Your Instincts Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 16th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the concept of remembering Zion, that is remembering and awaiting a time that it can be rebuilt and we return to our homeland and autonomous rule. Obviously, there has been some restoration with the modern state of Israel, however we must concede that due to our  national political and religious failings, the coming of a prophet who would lead to the rebuilding of the Temple and a world wide religious awake …
Walls and Self-Deception Kesuvos 41 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 16th, 2022

    Self-deception and unconscious self-destructive urges are confounding.  At times, we make best and sincerest efforts to avoid falling into certain patterns and dysfunctional behavior.  Despite this, like lemmings, we hurl ourselves over the cliff to our doom. Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes a verse (Devarim 22:8) that instructs one to make their home safe: כִּ֤י תִבְנֶה֙ בַּ֣יִת חָדָ֔שׁ וְעָש …
Love vs Responsibility Kiddushin 2 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 16th, 2023

Our Mishna on Amud Aleph delineates three methods to accomplish betrothal (Kiddushin): Via an exchange of an object of value, via a written contract, or sexual intercourse. As we have remarked numerous times, the paradigm of marriage is used to explain a person’s relationship with God. Rav Yaakov Yosef Mipolnoe understands these three methods of accomplishing marriage as also representing three stages of man’s relationship with God. K …
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