Blogs
Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R The Daf Yomi through a Psychological Lens.
Subscribe to this blog to get the latest updates emailed to you
Subscription complete
Search:
Showing Results 160 - 200 (2106 total)
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
Author:
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 …
It is Darkest Before the Dawn Bava Basra 53 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 16th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the principle that a grantor of a gift has a more generous attitude and disposition (Ayin Yaffa) than one who sells the same parcel of land. This leads to assuming certain rights and/or extras are transferred in the gift of property, while in a sale, a more precise and legalistic attitude is presumed.   The Shalah (Torah_Shebiksav, Bamidbar, Nasso, Beha'alotcha, Torah Ohr, Beha'alotcha) references this prin …
The Psychological Definition And Process Of Process Of Rationalization Bava Basra 52 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 16th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses circumstances where a person who is doing a noble deed such as tending to an orphan’s assets may be even more trustworthy. This is due to feeling high from the sense of worthiness, and not wanting to stoop low and discredit the personal sense of achievement.    Tosafos here (“Detarcha”) points out that Gemara (Gittin 35a) makes the opposite conclusion. A caretaker may rationalize small …
The Body's In-House Pharmacy Psychology of the Daf Eruvin 8
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 17th, 2020

Eruvin ספק טומאה גמרינן מסוטה Rashi here mentions the reason why a חצר that has many people passing through is considered a private domain for Shabbos but a public domain for questions about if an object became impure is because it is learned out from the law of Sotah. for Video Shiur click here to listen:  Psychology of the DAF Eruvin 8 The Sotah who was warned to not be alone with a certain man, and then it was proven …
Succah 42 He Who Denies His Heritage Has No Heritage Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 17th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph describes the two verses a young child should be taught to say, as soon as he is able to speak. The Shema and Torah Tziva Lanu Moshe. Ben Yehoyada raises the question as to why both verses are necessary and why not the first verse in Bereishis? The Shema is obvious because it’s a credo of a Jew, declaring belief in one God who is unified. However, the verse Torah Tziva etc certainly requires some analysis. I will of …
The Sin of Self-Betrayal Kesuvos 42 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 17th, 2022

If you accept that the Torah’s commandments are for our ultimate benefit, a sin is not merely a betrayal toward God, but even a betrayal toward ourselves.   Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes a verse in Vayikra (5:21) that discusses the violation of denying under oath monetary claims: “If a person will sin, make a violation to Hashem, and deny his friend’s claim regarding an object entrusted to him or financial matter or t …
Maid in Heaven Kiddushin 3 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 17th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis uses a verse regarding the Jewish maidservant to derive other forms of enactments that are accomplished via an exchange of an object of value, such as the marriage of a minor through the father’s acceptance: אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: דְּאָמַר קְרָא ״וְיָצְאָה חִנָּם אֵין כָּסֶף״ – אֵין כֶּסֶף לְאָדוֹן זֶה, אֲבָל יֵש …
Double Doors and Crossbars: The Fortified Inner City Avodah Zara 61 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author:
August 17th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph uses a phrase to describe a city with fully secured borders so inhabitants would know when any new person enters. The city is described as having “double doors and a crossbar” — in Hebrew, delasayim ubariach.
This phrase, delasayim ubariach, is a paraphrase from a biblical verse describing the fortified cities of the Canaanites (Devarim 3:5): “All those towns were fortified with high walls, gates, and bars… …
Blessings on the Head: Crowned with Continuity Avodah Zara 60 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author:
August 17th, 2025

In our Gemara on Amud Beis, Rav Adda bar Ahava makes a declaration: “May blessings rest upon Rabbi Shimon’s head.”What is the significance of this phrase? What does it mean, “Blessings upon the head” as opposed to simply “blessings upon him”?
This phrase is not only used regarding Rabbi Shimon; the Gemara (Megillah 25b) states that blessings will rest upon the head of one who praises an esteemed person.
Ben Yehoyada (ibid) exp …
Did Rav Yosef Suffer from Burnout? Psychology of the Daf Eruvin 10
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 18th, 2020

Eruvin Daf Ten אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף: לָא שְׁמִיעַ לִי הָא שְׁמַעְתְּתָא. Rav Yosef said: I did not hear this halakha of Rabba bar Rav Huna from my teachers. Rav Yosef had become ill and forgotten his learning, which is why he could not recall the halakha that a side post that is visible from the outside is considered to have the legal status of a side post. for Video Shiur click here to listen:  Psycho …
Trigger Warning Psychology of the Daf Eruvin 9
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 18th, 2020

 מָצָא מִין אֶת מִינוֹ וְנֵיעוֹר. The Gemara comments: Yes, it is possible that this is the ruling, for we can say that it has found its own type and been awakened. In other words, as the area within the entranceway is not a defined domain, it doesn’t have the status of an independent domain. Therefore, when it opens into a karmelit, to which it is similar, its status is negated, and it joins with the karmeli …
Succah 43 Noble Lies, COVID and the Rabbis Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 18th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us why we do not take the Lulav on Shabbos ⁦Apropos the prohibition against taking a lulav on Shabbat, the Gemara asks: Why is this prohibited? After all, taking the lulav is merely moving the object and is prohibited due to the rabbinic prohibition of set-aside. Since the mitzva to take the lulav is a mitzva by Torah law, let it override this relatively minor Shabbat prohibition. Rabba said: This prohibition is a …
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 …
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 …
Objects are Closer than They Appear Kiddushin 5 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 18th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph uses a derasha from the verses that describe Jewish divorce to learn a methodology for accomplishing matrimony: אָמַר קְרָא: ״וְיָצְאָה״ ״וְהָיְתָה״ – מַקִּישׁ הֲוָיָה לִיצִיאָה: מָה יְצִיאָה בִּשְׁטָר – אַף הֲוָיָה נָמֵי בִּשְׁטָר.  The verse states: “And she leaves his house and goes and becomes ano …
All the Resources of a Superpower Kiddushin 4 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 18th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us that the Hebrew word קִיחָה “Kicha” connotes acquisition to purchase, and not merely the acquisition of an ownerless object. Be’er Mayyim Chaim (Shemos 2:3) notes that the same Hebrew word is used when Yocheved “took” a reed basket to hide the baby Moshe. His understanding is that she acquired it via payment, much as we have a custom to make sure to acquire a Lulav or Hadass via …
The Full Picture of Monotheism Bava Basra 54 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 18th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discussed one of the ways to acquire ownerless property is to show proprietorship. For example, the great Amora, Rav acquired a garden, which had been ownerless property, by drawing an image. Rashbam says he drew pictures of animals and birds.     The fact that the Gemara (and Rashbam) casually mentions making a drawing of these figures is used as proof that this is not a violation of the prohibition (Shemo …
Succah 44 Emptiness That Can Only Be Filled by Nothing Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 19th, 2021

Our Gemara on amud beis describes the practice of beating the aravos on Hoshana Rabbah as a custom stemming from the times of the prophets. What is a custom of the prophets ? They had the power to make takkanos decrees obligating observance, so why decide to make something a custom? It seems to occupy a place that is not a mitzvah, even rabbinically, and this is why no blessing is recited. However, the deeper question is if it is worthwhile why n …
Reluctantly Reluctant Kesuvos 45 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 19th, 2022

It is said about Rav Yisrael Salanter that in order to gain credibility in the eyes of the Lithuanian Lamdanim, so they would consider his encouragement to form mussar study groups, he would give an in-depth pilpul shiur.  Only after earning their esteem, all the way at the end of the shiur, he would say, “It is a good idea to form mussar vaads.”  (See Appendix to Shu”t Seridei Aish, where he gives his own oral history …
Reduced Sentencing Kesuvos 44 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 19th, 2022

The Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the case of two obligatory contracts that seem to be stating the same thing.  Does the second contract abrogate the first, and therefore we follow the dates and commitments in the second contract?  (This would have an impact on liens dated from the first contract, which will now be annulled.) The Gemara concludes that when the contracts are identical, we assume the second one abrogates the first.  …
Depressed or Lazy? Bava Basra 55 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 19th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph refers to a pardakhas, which is an idle person. Rashbam describes this person as follows:   A person who is idle from work, learning, derech eretz, and is not involved with settlement of the world at all.   In the style of the Gemara at times, there is no commentary or moral assessment about this person. The focus is the practical halacha, no judgements. Yet, what are we to make of this person? Is he depressed, …
Heresy and Harlots Avodah Zarah 62 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author:
August 19th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the prohibition of Esnan Zonah, the object used to pay for a prostitute. This object has a negative spiritual halo that makes it forever prohibited for use in sacrifices, and may even extend to other sacred objects (see Shulchan Aruch OC 153:21). Our Gemara explores the moment the object becomes forbidden, which depends on when the transaction is finalized.
There is a fascinating Aggadah (Avodah Zara 16b–17a …
Succah 26 Laziness: Causes and Cures Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 1st, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes a verse in Mishle (6:9): עַד־מָתַ֖י עָצֵ֥ל ׀ תִּשְׁכָּ֑ב מָ֝תַ֗י תָּק֥וּם מִשְּׁנָתֶֽךָ׃ ⁦How long will you lie there, oh lazyone;  When will you wake from your sleep? Let us take this time to discuss psychological ideas about laziness and its cure. There is such a thing as bad character. However, psychology, unlike mussar, looks to unders …
Courting Contempt Kesuvos 26 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 1st, 2022

How far does the Jewish tradition go to protect the authority of the court? Will the court reverse its ruling when new evidence appears, even if this makes the judges appear incompetent? Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the concept of זילותא דבי דינא a denigration of the Jewish court of law. The Gemara considers that in a situation where new legal information came up that overrides the original ruling, in certain cases the judges s …
Unconditional Love Psychology of the Daf Yomi Gittin 77
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 1st, 2023

Continuing our theme from yesterday, let us further explore the material related to the three weeks. In our Gemara on Amud Aleph, we delve into the significance of the Get (divorce document) entering the wife's domain. If a husband places a Get in his courtyard with the intention of the wife acquiring it, it will not be valid, as he still owns the courtyard. Instead, he must physically place it into her hand. The verse in Yeshaiyahu (50:1) states …
Possessions or Possessed? Bava Basra 37 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 1st, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the legal and mercantile determination of Ayin Yaffa, which we can translate as “generous attitude and terms of sale”. This is expressed in the opinion of Rabbi Akiva, who says:    One who sells, sells generously, and he is presumed to have included in the sale even items that were not explicitly specified. For example, if one sold land and retained ownership of a pit or a cistern. In that …
We Have Met the Enemy and He Is Us Avodah Zara 45 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author:
August 1st, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis cites Devarim (12:2–3), urging vigorous eradication of idolatry’s traces.While this exhorts removing pagan worship, Arvei Nachal (Lech Lecha 3 5668) explains a deeper theology: The Jewish people, God’s chosen, channel spiritual life to the world, as stated (Bereishis 12:13): “All the nations of the Earth shall be blessed through you.” The Jewish psyche embryonically contains all nations’ traits, manifesting pos …
The Road to Perfection Contains Much Imperfection Avodah Zara 44 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author:
August 1st, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph cites a verse about David’s initiation as king (Shmuel II 12:30), capturing a crown from the Ammonite kingdom, with halachic implications for idolatrous images. It also symbolizes David’s ascendancy and leadership process.Shem MiShmuel (Bamidbar), quoting the Kotzker Rebbe, observes that this crown represented a secular aspect from the Ammonites, necessary for David’s rule.
The Gemara (Yoma 22b) states:Rav Yehud …
Truth & Misinformation in Halakha Psychology of the Daf Eruvin 11
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 20th, 2020



אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אִי מַשְׁכַּחַתְּ לְהוּ — לָא תֵּימָא לְהוּ לְבֵי רֵישׁ גָּלוּתָא וְלָא מִידֵּי מֵהָא מַתְנִיתָא דְכִיפָּה. Rav Sheshet said to Rabba bar Shmuel: If you find them, do not say to the members of the Exilarch’s household anything with regard to this baraita of an arched gateway, as it is proof against my opinion. …
Succah 46 Learn to Listen and Listen to Learn Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 20th, 2021

The Gemara at the end of Amud Aleph going into Amud Beis tells us an important truism about Torah and spiritual attainment: Rabbi Zeira said, and some say that it was Rabbi Ḥanina bar Pappa who said: Come and see that the attribute of flesh and blood is unlike the attribute of the Holy One, Blessed be He. The attribute of flesh and blood is that an empty vessel ⁦holds that which is placed within it, while a full vessel does not hold it. Howev …
Succah 45 Afterplay Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 20th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the value of Isru Chag, the day after the Yom Tov is completed. In fact, it states that feasting on Isru Chag is akin to building an altar and sacrificing on it.  There is a pattern in Judaism of savoring an experience and extending it. We find this represented in a Melave Malka after shabbos, or perhaps even the seven days of Sheva Berachos following a wedding celebration. In fact, it is a halakha to eat mo …
Ring Leader Bava Basra 57 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 20th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis describes the properties of the cloak and table of the Torah sage:     Rabbi Yoḥanan asked Rabbi Bena’a: How should the garment of a Torah scholar worn under his clothes be fashioned? He replied: He can wear any garment long enough that his flesh is not visible from beneath it. Rabbi Yoḥanan asked: How should the cloak of a Torah scholar be fashioned? He replied: He can wear any garment long enough …
Maintaining Boundaries Bava Basra 56 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 20th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a certain kind of plant known as Chatzuva, which was used by Yehoshua to mark property boundaries in Israel. This plant has a root structure that extends straight downward, making it a natural, long-lasting and reliable boundary marker.    This unique herbage makes an appearance in Gemara Beitzah (25b), where it sets a different kind of boundary:   Rami bar Abba also said: The sea squill, a plant …
The Worlds Oldest Profession and the Oldest Rationalization Avodah Zarah 63 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author:
August 20th, 2025

Our Gemara continues the discussion about Esnan Zonah from the previous Daf. On Amud Aleph, it debates whether the zonah in question is Jewish or gentile. This invites a deeper look: why does the Torah devote attention to the esnan prohibition, when the act itself is already forbidden?
Our Gemara continues the discussion about Esnan Zonah from the previous Daf. On Amud Aleph, it debates whether the zonah in question is Jewish or gentile. Later …
These and Those are Words of the Living G-d Psych & the Daf Eruvin 13
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 21st, 2020

Eruvin 13 אָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּא אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: שָׁלֹשׁ שָׁנִים נֶחְלְקוּ בֵּית שַׁמַּאי וּבֵית הִלֵּל, הַלָּלוּ אוֹמְרִים: הֲלָכָה כְּמוֹתֵנוּ, וְהַלָּלוּ אוֹמְרִים: הֲלָכָה כְּמוֹתֵנוּ. יָצְאָה בַּת קוֹל וְאָמְרָה: אֵלּוּ וָאֵלּוּ דִּבְרֵי אֱלֹהִ …
Rav Zeira Listened Carefully Psychology of the Daf Eruvin 12
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 21st, 2020

Eruvin 12 אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר רַב: מָבוֹי שֶׁאׇרְכּוֹ כְּרׇחְבּוֹ אֵינוֹ נִיתָּר בְּלֶחִי מַשֶּׁהוּ. אָמַר רַב חִיָּיא בַּר אָשֵׁי אָמַר רַב: מָבוֹי שֶׁאׇרְכּוֹ כְּרׇחְבּוֹ אֵינוֹ נִיתָּר בְּקוֹרָה טֶפַח. Rav Yehuda said that Rav said: Unlike other alleyways, carrying within …
It's the Thoughts that Count Kesuvos 46 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 21st, 2022

  The majority of Torah commandments more often focuses on actions and deeds, not thoughts.  Yet there are certain commandments that focus on our thoughts and how we must guard them and shape them.  (Chovos Halevavos wrote his Sefer by that name because he felt these mitzvos were ignored.) Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us: ״וְנִשְׁמַרְתָּ מִכֹּל דָּבָר רָע״, מִכָּאן אָמַר רַבִּי פּ …
Disorders and Fate Kiddushin 8 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 21st, 2023

In our Gemara on Amud Aleph, Rav Kahana is mentioned and regarded as a "great man," emphasizing his practice of wearing a head covering. This practice reflects a broader discussion about the significance of head covering in Jewish tradition. A well-known Gemara in Shabbos (156b) touches on this topic: "From Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak it can also be derived that there is no Mazal (astrological influence) for the Jewish people. Chaldean astrologers …
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 …
Leniency with Limits Avodah Zarah 64 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author:
August 21st, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses rabbinic allowances for a convert, such as permitting him to exchange idolatrous portions of an inheritance with gentile siblings for permitted items — something normally forbidden, since money from idolatry retains its prohibition.
Chasam Sofer (ibid) explains that the inheritance of a convert is a rabbinic enactment, not biblical; otherwise, the Sages could not permit such an exchange. The leniency is to …
Put the "Petal" to the "Meddle" Psychology of the Daf Eruvin 14
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 22nd, 2020

Eruvin 14 אָמַר רַב פָּפָּא: שְׂפָתוֹ שְׂפַת פֶּרַח שׁוֹשָׁן כְּתִיב בֵּיהּ, דִּכְתִיב: ״וְעׇבְיוֹ טֶפַח וּשְׂפָתוֹ כְּמַעֲשֵׂה כּוֹס פֶּרַח שׁוֹשָׁן אַלְפַּיִם בַּת יָכִיל״. Rav Pappa said: With regard to its brim, it is written that the brim is as the petals of a lily, as stated in the verse: “And it …
Succah 47 Chair and Chair Alike Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 22nd, 2021

The Gemara on this daf discusses the Yom Tov of Shemini Azereth, which unlike the last day of Pesach, is considered its own Yom Tov, requiring a new Shecheyanu. The Midrash calculates the number of bullocks brought on all the prior days of Succos to add up to 70, corresponding to the archetypal seventy nations. The last bullock brought on Shemini Azereth, which is a single bull, corresponds to the Jewish nation. The Gemara (Succah 55b) explains t …
Transition Time Kesuvos 47 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 22nd, 2022

There is a known halakhic principle of Tosefes Shabbos, that is one is supposed to accept or bring Shabbos a few minutes earlier.  One of the Lomdishe chakiros discussed is if this addendum to Shabbos is an early start for Shabbos, and essentially Shabbos itself, or is it a special zone to prepare for Shabbos, which is Shabbos-like in quality, but not actually Shabbos. Our Gemara on Amud Aleph implies that a woman can marry on Shabbos and Yo …
Dates Before Marriage Kiddushin 9 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 22nd, 2023

In our Gemara on Amud Aleph, various scenarios are discussed where a man proposes marriage in a playful manner, leading to uncertainty about the woman's consent: "There was a certain man who was picking dates from a date tree. A certain woman came and said to him: 'Throw me two.' He said to her: 'If I throw two dates to you, will you be betrothed to me with them?' She said to him: 'Throw, throw.' Rav Zevid said: Any use of the expression: 'Throw, …
Biting Words Bava Basra 58 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 22nd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph uses an Aramaic idiom to describe slander and libel, “ochel kurtza”, for now we can translate it as “nibbling” a metaphor for gossip. This Aramaic idiom is used generally for any type of gossip, and often specifically in the Gemara, to the act of slandering the Jews to the secular government. Actually, the first use of this phrase can be found in Daniel (3:8), which speaks of the Jews being slander …
Trigger Warning: When One Pain Awakens Another Avodah Zara 73 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author:
August 22nd, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph continues the discussion regarding nullification of forbidden substances. Another rule emerges: even though an amount sixty times greater can nullify a smaller amount of forbidden substance, if on two different occasions a forbidden substance was poured in—especially if it was prior to the permitted substance—then we look at them as one unit instead of two separate amounts. Therefore, we require sixty times the sum of …
Cask and You Shall Perceive Avodah Zarah 66 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author:
August 22nd, 2025

Over the next two dappim, various conceptualizations arise about the nature of what transfers or actualizes prohibited food substances. Is it the taste? Is it the name — that is, if two substances are both called “wine” but have different flavors, are they considered a mixture of distinct items or of similar items? This impacts whether or not they can be nullified in majority. Furthermore, if the non-kosher substance mixes but it has — or …
Neurotic Anxiety and Fear of God Avodah Zarah 65 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author:
August 22nd, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us about an encounter between Rava and a Gentile, Bar Sheshakh, who was not an idolator, but may have been an atheist, cynical of all religion:
Rava brought a gift to a minister named Bar Sheshakh on their festival day. Rava said: I know of him that he does not worship idols. Rava went to him and found him sitting up to his neck in rose water, with naked prostitutes standing before him.
Bar Sheshakh said to hi …
Exile Blues: When Paradise Feels Like a Prison Makkos 11 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 22nd, 2025

Our Gemara on this daf discusses the difficulties of exile for those who committed involuntary manslaughter and that they cannot return home until the Cohen Gadol dies. Sefer Daf al Daf brings down a question from Rav Chaim Kanievsky: What really was this great hardship? We have learned that the family goes with the person if they choose to do so, and then even the person’s rebbe is compelled to join him. What creature comforts is he actual …
No Strings Attached Divorce Psychology of the Daf Eruvin 15
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 23rd, 2020

Eruvin Daf 15 וְרַבָּנַן, הַאי ״סֵפֶר כְּרִיתוּת״ מִיבְּעֵי לֵיהּ לְדָבָר הַכּוֹרֵת בֵּינוֹ לְבֵינָהּ. לְכִדְתַנְיָא: הֲרֵי זֶה גִּיטֵּךְ עַל מְנָת שֶׁלֹּא תִּשְׁתִּי יַיִן, עַל מְנָת שֶׁלֹּא תֵּלְכִי לְבֵית אָבִיךְ לְעוֹלָם — אֵין זֶה כְּרִיתוּת …
Succah 48 The Secret to Happiness Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 23rd, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph describes the mitzvah of rejoicing on Shemini Azereth. The Peri Tzaddik (Chag Succos 43) explains the unique mitzvah of joy on this holiday over others: The other holidays mention joy, but with some qualifying Language such as “Rejoice before Hashem” (VaYikra 23:40), or “Rejoice on your holiday” (Deuteronomy 16:14). However, for Shemini Azereth, it states “You will be only happy” (ibid …
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 …
Rules About Exceptions Kiddushin 10 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 23rd, 2023

While no longer practiced and even already forbidden during the time of the Gemara (see 12b), one original method to establish a marriage bond was through sexual intercourse with the intention of consummation. Our Gemara on Amud Aleph delves into this process and examines when exactly the marriage bond is formed: A question was posed to the Sages: Does the initiation of intercourse effect acquisition, or is it the completion of intercourse that 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 …
Observant Judaism Or Is It Absorbent Judaism? Bava Basra 59 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 23rd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes verse in Koheles (4:12):    “A threefold twine does not quickly snap.”   The basic idea is that something threefold and intertwined has tensile strength that is beyond any single strand. There are numerous aggados that utilize this truth about material and physical properties and apply them to the spiritual. Our Gemara suggests that when there are three generations of Torah study in a fam …
Narcissism, Marriage and Judaism
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 24th, 2017

Narcissism, Marriage and Judaism Personality disorders, unlike many forms of mental illness, are not merely an illness, but also can be at least partially due to poor morality, or in Jewish terms, bad middos. Whatever fears, insecurities and distorted ideas that take place within the heart and mind of a person suffering from a Personality Disorder alone are not enough to cause selfish, manipulative or abusive behavior, without also making poor be …
Succah 49 Secrets of Torah Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 24th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis says that words of Torah are to be hidden. What does that mean, why should Torah be hidden? To the contrary, Moshe says to Yehoshua (Bamidbar 11:29): וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לוֹ֙ מֹשֶׁ֔ה הַֽמְקַנֵּ֥א אַתָּ֖ה לִ֑י וּמִ֨י יִתֵּ֜ן כׇּל־עַ֤ם יְהֹוָה֙ נְבִיאִ֔ים כִּי־יִתֵּ֧ן יְהֹוָ֛ה אֶת־רוּח֖וֹ עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃ ⁦But Mose …
Unrecognizable Differences Kesuvos 49 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 24th, 2022

What do you do when you do not recognize your children?  Of course, I do not mean physically, as that would be unlikely.  I mean, if their behavior is so foreign to you, that you wonder, “How do I even know this person, how can I love him or her?” Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a contradiction between two teachings, where one says that the Raven cares for its young, while another teaching implies that Ravens do not care f …
All Parts Make the Whole Kiddushin 11 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 24th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph delves into the case of a slave with severe character flaws, such as being a thief or a "kubyostos". One might argue that the buyer is entitled to a refund, but the Gemara maintains that such character defects are common among slaves, making the purchase still valid. The term "kubyostos" is defined by Rashi as a kidnapper, and by Tosafos as a gambler. This derogatory term appears in two other Midrashim: one involving Yaak …
Kosher on the Inside as well as the Outside Avodah Zarah 67 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author:
August 24th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes (Devarim 14:21):
You shall not eat anything that has died a natural death; give it to the stranger in your community to eat, or you may sell it to a foreigner. For you are a holy people (am kadosh) consecrated to your God.
In another verse (Shemos 22:30) referring to an animal torn apart by beasts:
You shall be holy people to Me (anshei kodesh): you must not eat flesh torn by beasts in the field.
The Kes …
Taking Custom with a Grain of Salt Psychology of the Daf Eruvin 17
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 25th, 2020

  וּפְטוּרִין מֵרְחִיצַת יָדַיִם. אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: לֹא שָׁנוּ אֶלָּא מַיִם רִאשׁוֹנִים, אֲבָל מַיִם אַחֲרוֹנִים חוֹבָה. We learned in the mishna that in a military camp one is exempt from ritual washing of the hands. Abaye said: They taught this exemption only with regard to first waters, i.e., hand-washing before eating. However, final waters, …
Admitting that We are Wrong Psychology of the Daf Eruvin 16
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 25th, 2020

Eruvin 16 הֲדַר אוֹקֵים רַב נַחְמָן אָמוֹרָא עֲלֵיהּ וּדְרַשׁ: דְּבָרִים שֶׁאָמַרְתִּי לִפְנֵיכֶם טָעוּת הֵן בְּיָדִי. בְּרַם כָּךְ אָמְרוּ: יָחִיד — נוֹתְנִין לוֹ בֵּית סָאתַיִם, שְׁנַיִם — נוֹתְנִין לָהֶן בֵּית סָאתַיִם, שְׁלֹשָׁה — נַעֲש …
Succah 50 It is Hard to Treat Daily Mitzvos with the Respect they Deserve Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 25th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes a verse in Malachi (1:8) that is, in my opinion, one of the most morally challenging statements in Tanach.  Malachi states in the name of God: וְכִֽי־תַגִּישׁ֨וּן עִוֵּ֤ר לִזְבֹּ֙חַ֙ אֵ֣ין רָ֔ע וְכִ֥י תַגִּ֛ישׁוּ פִּסֵּ֥חַ וְחֹלֶ֖ה אֵ֣ין רָ֑ע?! הַקְרִיבֵ֨הוּ נָ֜א לְפֶחָתֶ֗ךָ הֲיִרְצְךָ …
There Cannot be Enduring Love Without Respect Kesuvos 50 & 51 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 25th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the upper limit of charity, which is one fifth of earned income. The scriptural proof text comes from Yaakov (Bereishis 28:22), where he pledges to Hashem: “And of all that You shall give me, I will surely give a tenth of it [aser a’asrenu] to You”. The double use of the verb that means to donate one-tenth indicates that Yaakov, who issued this statement, was actually referring to two one-tenth …
Divorced From Reality Kiddushin 13 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 25th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph delves into the qualifications necessary for performing marriages and divorces. Due to their intricate nature and profound impact on the future lineage of multiple families, extra training and caution are required beyond standard Rabbinic expertise. Rav Yehuda, quoting Shmuel, asserts: "Anyone who does not know the nature of bills of divorce and betrothals should have no dealings in them," highlighting the potential for g …
Difficult Rabbinic Marriages Kiddushin 12 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 25th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis sheds light on an attempt by Yehudis, the wife of Rav Chiyya, to retroactively annul her marriage through a scheme. Although her plan ultimately failed, her actions raise questions about her circumstances and motivations. Fortunately, other Gemaras provide insight into her life: In Yevamos 65b, we learn that Yehudis had two sets of twins with extremely challenging pregnancies and labors. In fact, she successfully carried o …
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 …
Grains of Truth: Sand, Glass, and Jewish Destiny Avodah Zara 75 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author:
August 25th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses whether glass vessels require ritual immersion, like metal vessels, which Biblically require immersion when purchased from a gentile—or whether they do not, like earthenware vessels. The Gemara reasons they are similar to metal, because if exposed to enough heat, they melt and can be reformed. (Glass, after all, is made by superheating sand until it liquefies.)
This quality of sand to melt into glass is note …
Manna, with Ketchup Please Avodah Zarah 68 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author:
August 25th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses ta’am lifgam — when a non-kosher substance mixes in but imparts a foul taste, which may permit it.
The Boruch She’amar Haggadah applies this to the Dayyenu liturgy. For Dayyenu to make sense, each kindness from God in the poem must be valuable on its own. “If God gave us french fries, it would be enough; but He also gave us ketchup” makes sense. The reverse doesn’t, “If God gave us ketchup, we wo …
Succah 51 Obsessive Rules and Games of Cat and Mouse Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 26th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us about the challenges the rabbinic administrators had in maintaining decorum during the Simchas Beis Hashoeyva.  After all, it is human nature to become more loose and indiscriminate during festive times  (see Be'er Mayim Chaim, Deuteronomy 16:18:11): The Sages taught in the Tosefta: Initially, women would stand on the inside of the Women’s Courtyard, closer to the Sanctuary to the west, and the men …
Negotiating with Terrorists Kesuvos 52 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 26th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses various psychological techniques when considering negotiating with those who kidnap for ransom.  אֵין פּוֹדִין אֶת הַשְּׁבוּיִין יוֹתֵר עַל כְּדֵי דְמֵיהֶם, מִפְּנֵי תִּקּוּן הָעוֹלָם. הָא בִּכְדֵי דְמֵיהֶן פּוֹדִין, אַף עַל גַּב דְּפִרְקוֹנָהּ יוֹתֵר עַל כְּתוּבָּת …
Unbearable Urges Kesuvos 51 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 26th, 2022

Note: Aside from yesterday’s post, which included both dappim, today’s post is a repeat from Psychology of the Daf Moed Kattan 17. That posting included a significant line in our Gemara Amud Beis, which implied that sometimes a person can be faced with urges that cannot be controlled. People often repeat this line, “Hashem does not give you a nisayon (challenge) that you cannot overcome.”  While this might inspire som …
Silence is Olden Bava Basra Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 26th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph and Beis record halachic discussions and situations when the great Amora, Rav was presented with a challenge to his argument, it was met with silence on his part. Rashbam (“Umodeh”) notes that sometimes the silence is to be interpreted as tacit admission, and other times, it is interpreted as a response to a question that is lacking in sophistication. That is, when questioned by peers who are close to his leve …
Square Meals and Circular Logic Avodah Zara 69 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author:
August 26th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the halachic phenomenon of bitul, the nullification of prohibited substances. The Gemara states that the basic assumption is that sixty times the permitted substance will nullify the non-kosher material. There are exceptions, such as when the non-kosher food has a distinctive quality that interrupts its nullification, such as an item sold by number (not weight or volume), or chametz on Pesach, which is never nul …
As If Forced by A Demon. Psychological and Jewish Perspectives on Sexuality
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 27th, 2019

According to Torah values, is it considered proper to enjoy sexuality and all forms of amorous expression within the bounds of marriage, or is a more ascetic orientation the proper path? Jewish tradition has apparent contradictory directives in regard to sensuality, sexual pleasure and abnegation.  Recommendations of various Talmudic sages range from total denial of pleasure, such as dispensing with the sexual act “as if forced by a de …
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 …
Succah 53 Shidduch Dance Festival Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 27th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis references the famous kal v’chomer about shlom bayis, which is used as a halakhic rationale in various instances to be extra lenient and accommodating regarding marital harmony.  Since on Daf 51 we mentioned the twice yearly custom of the Shidduch dance as described in Mishna Ta’anis (4:8), I will discuss it in some more depth here. There were no days as joyous for the Jewish people as the fifteenth of Av …
Succah 52 Inner Demon or Inner Child? Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 27th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us about the fate of the wicked and the righteous at the end of days. It is one of my all-time favorite psychological Gemaras: ⁦In the future, at the end of days, God will bring the evil inclination and slaughter it in the presence of the righteous and in the presence of the wicked. For the righteous the evil inclination appears to them as a high mountain, and for the wicked it appears to them as a mere strand of …
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 …
Serving With Honor Kiddushin 14 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 27th, 2023

Our Mishna on Amud Beis addresses the topic of the Jewish slave, discussing the requirement for a Jewish slave who chooses to extend his servitude beyond the prescribed six years to undergo a ritual that involves piercing his ear. The Gemara later on (22b) elaborates on the significance of this ritual: Rabban Yoḥanan ben Zakkai would expound this verse as a type of decorative wreath [ḥomer], i.e., as an allegory: Why is the ear different from …
Depths of Creativity Bava Basra 63 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 27th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses that for a seller to imply that he is including all the underground cisterns and tunnels, he must say “from the depths of the Earth to the Height of the sky.” The English words for these boundaries do not capture the theological and contextual meaning of these words in Hebrew. The Hebrew word for “height of the sky” is rakia, and the Hebrew word for “depths of the Earth” is Teh …
Dough and Behold: Fine Flour, Fine Boundaries Avodah Zara 70 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author:
August 27th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph relates a teaching of Rebbe Yitschok: “One who finds a wallet on Shabbos may carry it in increments of less than four cubits.”Rebbe Yitschok makes an allowance to violate rabbinic proscriptions because the fear of financial loss is too difficult for the average person. In order to forestall a greater violation, this exception is allowed (see Shabbos 153a).
This is not the only time Rebbe Yitschok makes judgments th …
Private Needs vs. Public Welfare Eruvin 20 Psychology of the Daf Rabbi Simcha Feuerman LCSW-R, DHL
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 28th, 2020

Eruvin 20 וּמַאי קָא מַשְׁמַע לַן — דְּלָא אָתוּ רַבִּים וּמְבַטְּלִי מְחִיצְתָּא, הָא אֲמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר חֲדָא זִימְנָא! The Gemara asks: And what is he teaching us by this statement, that the passage of many people does not come and negate the effectiveness of a partition? But Rabbi Elazar stated this idea once before. דִּתְנַן, ר …
Friends with Liabilities Eruvin 19 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 28th, 2020

Eruvin 19 וְתוּ לֵיכָּא? וְהָאִיכָּא ״גֵּיהִנָּם״! — גֵּיא שֶׁעֲמוּקָּה (בְּגֵיהִנָּם), שֶׁהַכֹּל יוֹרֵד לָהּ עַל עִסְקֵי הִנָּם. The Gemara poses a question: Are there no more names? Isn’t there the name Gehenna? The Gemara answers that this is not a name rather a description: A valley that is as deep as the valley [gei] of ben Hinnom. …
The Wicked Son Returns Kesuvos 53 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 28th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the Rabbi’s frowning upon disinheriting a child, even partially, and even if the child is considered a wrongdoer.  The rabbis say, “It is not known what seed will come from him. Perhaps the bad son will father worthy children.” The Agra DeKalla (Bo:52) uses this idea to explain a difficult Midrash.  The Yalkut Shimoni (208) states:  When the verse says, “And so it shall com …
Relatively Free Kiddushin 15 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 28th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis delves into the status of a Jewish slave redeemed by relatives. Rabbi Yose asserts that upon redemption, the slave gains freedom. In contrast, Rabbi Akiva contends that redemption by relatives results in the slave being bound to serve the relative until his contract ends. Even Rabbi Akiva acknowledges that redemption by a non-relative leads to complete freedom. (One could surmise that the act of charity from an outsider mi …
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 …
A Peruta for Your Thoughts Avodah Zara 71 Psychology Of the Daf Yomi
Author:
August 28th, 2025

Our Gemara discusses a halachic rarity: sometimes being Jewish and part of the covenant brings leniency. A Jew who steals less than a peruta’s worth is exempt, while a gentile is fully liable.
Why? Rashi explains that Jews are forgiving about such a small amount; less than a peruta is not considered money.
Likutei Halachos (Choshen Mishpat, Laws of Stealing 1:1) expands: holiness requires boundaries. A person sensitive to holiness places …
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] …
Succah 55 Whistleblowers and Troublemakers Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 29th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis notes the irony that whilst the Jewish people had a standing center of worship, they were praying for the welfare of the entire world. Even so, their enemies destroyed this powerful beacon of Godly benefit to the entire world. ⁦Rabbi Yoḥanan said: Woe unto the nations of the world that lost something and do not know what they lost. When the Temple was standing, the seventy bulls sacrificed on the altar during the festi …
Succah 54 Is On Time Good Enough? Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 29th, 2021

Our Gemara on the top of Amud Beis tells us about the third shift of the paschal sacrifice, and that it was a “light shift”, in that it was completed even before Hallel reached “Ahavti”. The Gemara in Pesachim 65a fills us in on more details: The Paschal Sacrifice was brought in the Bais HaMikdash via three shifts, by halakhic mandate. That is, the entire population of Jews who came to bring the sacrifice would be divided …
Protecting Others from Your Indulgences Kesuvos 54 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 29th, 2022

  There are instances in life where our personal expression or enjoyment of life should be considered in relation to how it affects others. For example, if you are making a wedding of your youngest child.  On the one hand, it’s your last hurrah and you have come by your money honestly, so why not splurge and enjoy the celebration with many extras such as a larger band, and a more extravagant venue?  Yet, how will this make ot …
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 …
The Path to Torah Bava Basra 65 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 29th, 2024

 In continuing the sugya of ayin yaffa, our daf discusses when a sale is made with a generous attitude, which has implications regarding if one sells passage rights to get to the property, even if it may inconvenience the seller. Regardless, all opinions hold that a gift, as opposed to a sale, is granted with a generous attitude.   The Torah is described by the scripture as an acquisition but also a gift (Mishle 4:2):   כי לקח …
Go With the Flow: Nitzok Chibbur Avodah Zara 72 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author:
August 29th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses whether a stream pouring from one vessel to another constitutes a halachic connection (nitzok chibbur)—such that wine in the upper vessel remains kosher even if poured into yeyn nesech.Rav Hunah rules that regarding yeyn nesech, a downward stream is considered a connection. Even though gravity ensures the flow never returns upward, the continuum binds them. In modern terms, we might think of it like electrical …
Rescuing a Child who is Off the Derech Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 151
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 2nd, 2020

shabbos for Video Shiur click here to listen:  Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 151   תַּנְיָא, רַבָּן שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל אוֹמֵר: תִּינוֹק בֶּן יוֹמוֹ חַי — מְחַלְּלִין עָלָיו אֶת הַשַּׁבָּת, דָּוִד מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל מֵת — אֵין מְחַלְּלִין עָלָיו אֶת הַשַּׁבָּת. תִּ …
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 …
Succah 27 Intellectual Laziness Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 2nd, 2021

Our Gemara continued discussing the middah of laziness, it’s negative and infrequently positive qualities. I was particularly struck by something the Orchos Tzaddikim (16) mentions. In categorizing various forms of laziness he mentions intellectual laziness: ⁦Not only does the lazy man fail to attain knowledge of the Torah, since he does not occupy himself with the Torah as he should, but due to his laziness, false notions enter his heart …
The Yetzer Hara Always Has Time Kesuvos 27 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 2nd, 2022

When it comes to certain sins or desires, humans are ingenious and relentless in achieving their goals. An addict could spend hours, overcoming great adversity, planning and plotting to get his or her fix. Halakha recognizes this as well. Our Gemara on Amud Aleph raises a contradiction between our Mishna’s case and a Mishna in Avoda Zara (70b).  Our Mishna teaches us if a city was invaded by a marauding army, women who were married to …
Boundaries and Privacy Psychology of the Daf Yomi Gittin 78
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 2nd, 2023

In our Gemara on Amud Aleph, the discussion revolves around domains that are defacto considered personal, allowing the woman to acquire the Get even if she is technically still on her husband's property. One such location is analogous to the Babylonian equivalent of a pocketbook. Even if this item is on the ground (see Tosafos), and the ground belongs to the husband, it is understood to be designated for her personal use, enabling her to acquire …
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 …
Rationalize or Rational-Lies? Bava Basra 38 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 2nd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis weighs the effectiveness of an objection raised by an owner, claiming that somebody is squatting on his property, however, the claim was said in a circumstance or situation where it was not likely to reach the ears of the alleged squatter. This potentially is a problem because on the one hand, it doesn’t serve the squatter warning so he might not have maintained or secured properly his contract of sale, which might a …
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 …
Owning Your Intentions Kesuvos 55 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 30th, 2022

What does it mean to own something? Is a possession just something that belongs to you, or is there some kind of metaphysical valence that an object takes on when you possess it?  There would seem to be a certain significance attached to objects based on their owners, for example, we have a teaching that even the animals of the righteous do not commit transgressions (see Chulin 7a). Or, that certain food utensils must be immersed in the Mikv …
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 …
The Old Work Ethic Bava Basra 67 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 30th, 2024

Our Gemara on on Amud Aleph discusses circumstances, under which an act to  signify acquisition and legal title of one field that is being sold automatically enacts an acquisition of other fields within the sale as well.   If one sold another ten fields in ten different regions, all in a single bill of sale, once he takes possession of one of them, he has acquired them all; and the two cases seem to be analogous.    The Gemara …
Antidote for The King Size Human Ego Bava Basra 66 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 30th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes a series of verses that describe the unfortunate and complex situation of Yonasan, who due to the deprivations of battle, was starving and took a taste from honey he had found in the forest. Unbeknownst to him, his father King Shaul, had decreed a Fast upon the troops so that they repent and merit divine assistance. Effectively, he had violated his command and was subject to the death penalty. King Shaul, under tre …
Succah 56 The OG OTD Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 31st, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells about the fate of one Mishmar of cohanim, known as Bilga. The entire group of Cohanim was shunned due to the actions of one daughter, whom we might call the Original OTD Kid. She ran off with a gentile soldier, and upon the Greek occupation of the Temple Mount, she kicked the altar with her sandal, and said , “Lukos, Lukos (Greek for wolf, wolf), until when will you consume the property of the Jewish people, an …
More on Sex vs. Intimacy Kesuvos 56 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 31st, 2022

There is a saying, that men give affection in order to get sex, while women give sex in order to get affection. While of course this is not absolutely true, and especially in our times where each gender is feeling more free to express themselves along less designated official roles and behavior, it does seem to be a basic pattern in human nature that endures. Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses as a scenario where a couple had the chuppah ceremony …
Male and Female Archetypes Kiddushin 18 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 31st, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis engages in a fundamental debate regarding legal biblical exegesis. In the Tanach, Hebrew words are frequently spelled incompletely, accompanied by an oral tradition dictating their pronunciation. At times, the written and spoken forms yield distinct meanings, particularly with homonyms. The crux of the dispute lies in determining the primary source for deriving halakhic meaning. The Talmud employs an idiom to express this: …
Rebuke, Rinse, Repeat: The Art of Preaching Avodah Zara 74 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author:
August 31st, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis uses an interesting linguistic term to refer to the tank that holds the wine in the wine press: na’ava.This usage also appears in a verse (Shmuel I 20:30), when Shaul erupts at his son Yonasan. The trigger for this rage was Yonasan’s defense of David:“Saul flew into a rage against Jonathan. ‘You son of a twisted, rebellious woman—na’avas hamardus!’ he shouted. ‘I know that you side with the son of Yishai— …
Succah 28 Rashi Says, He Doesnt Know but is that True? Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 3rd, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us that Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai knew every branch of wisdom, including the conversation of ministering angels; the conversation of demons, and the conversation of palm trees. So, what exactly are these branches of wisdom? Rashi says here regarding the conversation of ministering angels; the conversation of demons, and the conversation of palm trees , “I do not know what it is.”  However, other sag …
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 …
Marital Therapy and God Psychology of the Daf Yomi Gittin 79
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 3rd, 2023

Our Mishna Amud Beis discusses a dispute between Beis Shammai and Beis Hillel regarding an “old Get”. An old Get is a Get that was written, but before it was given, the husband and wife were alone together. Beis Hillel is concerned that should they have momentarily reconciled, and then the Get was given sometime later, perhaps she got pregnant in between. If so, it would have the appearance of a child out of wedlock. Therefore, one sh …
Memory That Holds Water Avodah Zara 46 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author:
August 3rd, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis relates that Rabbi Eliezer taught, forgot, and was reminded by Rabbi Akiva of a rabbinic ban against using the red heifer purification ritual on Shabbos, even if it prevents timely purification for the Paschal offering.
Rav Dovid Kochav asks how Rabbi Eliezer could forget, given Pirke Avos (2:8), where Rabbi Yochanan Ben Zakai praises him as “a plastered cistern that does not lose a drop,” indicating a powerful memo …
Sexuality the Peacemaker and Premature Ejaculation Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 152
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 4th, 2020

Shabbos אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַבִּי לְרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן חֲלַפְתָּא: מִפְּנֵי מָה לֹא הִקְבַּלְנוּ פָּנֶיךָ בָּרֶגֶל, כְּדֶרֶךְ שֶׁהִקְבִּילוּ אֲבוֹתַי לַאֲבוֹתֶיךָ? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: סְלָעִים נַעֲשׂוּ גְּבוֹהִים, קְרוֹבִים נַעֲשׂוּ רְחוֹקִים, מִשְׁתַּיִם …
Succah 29 Torah Eclipses Science? Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 4th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph 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 before them and seat them in darkness. How can we make sense …
When There is Coercion, There Also is Obligation Kesuvos 29 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 4th, 2022

  Continuing our theme from yesterday’s daf about fear in the classroom and pedagogy, there is another dynamic involved in a relationship of dominance.  Whether ideal or not, when one party coerces and dominates the other party, there also is a moral obligation about the dominant party to provide for the subjugated party.  It is a truism in human nature.  For example, though the master may have many servants and obviousl …
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?! …
The Get of Luban Psychology of the Daf Yomi Gittin 80
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 4th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the importance of properly naming the city in the Get. This brings to mind an interesting slice of reality from about 100 years ago. In the Introduction to the eighth volume of the Iggeros Moshe, there is a biography of Rav Moshe that goes on for dozens of pages, and has the veracity of being written by his grandchildren. One of Rav Moshe’s first rabbinic positions was to serve as Rabbi of the town Luban. …
The Clothes Make the Man Bava Basra 40 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 4th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud refers to the principle of stam kinyan lekesiva omed:   A symbolic act of acquisition indicates one’s intention to do everything possible to finalize the transaction as soon as possible without waiting for the actual transfer of the item. Therefore, it is assumed that the parties would desire that a document be written, and no explicit authorization is necessary.     When the Gemara uses the term kinya …
A Hole is Greater than the Sum of Its Parts Bava Basra 19 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 4th, 2024

As part of an ongoing discussion regarding the effects of various constructions and substances on adjoining properties, and the requirements of neighbors to each other, the Gemara on amud aleph noted a property of sand:  “It heats hot items and cools cold items”, which has implications about whether it would cause damage to a neighboring wall.    Sand is fascinating and therefore the subject of symbolic meaning and proj …
Impure Motives Avodah Zara 47 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author:
August 4th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the halachic impurity of idolatrous material. Rabbi Akiva equates it to tumas niddah.
Chanukas Hatorah (32) uses this to explain Rachel’s evasion when Lavan searched for his stolen idols (Bereishis 31:35). Rachel, hiding them under her, claimed she couldn’t rise due to her period. Though not niddah, she wasn’t lying, as the idols’ impurity equated to tumas niddah.
Impurity in Jewish theology ties to …
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 …
Succah 30 Stolen Spirituality Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 5th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph rules that one is not allowed to use a stolen Lulav and esrog. The Mei HaShiloach (Likkutei Shas II: Succah) notes that though a stolen Lulav cannot be used, a stolen Succah can be used, because land really cannot halakhically be stolen, as it cannot be lifted up or taken anywhere. He then notes a parallel rule regarding using a Lulav on shabbos, which is not allowed, unlike a Succah which is.  Of course, the nuts an …
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 …
Neurotic Fear versus Reasonable Caution Kesuvos 30 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 5th, 2022

  One of the great challenges in the sphere of religious behavior and personal autonomy is how much effort is appropriate versus trusting and relying on God.  What is controlling and arrogant?  What is too passive and trusting?  In today’s daf, we will examine some classic Jewish thought on the matter, as well as discuss some of the psychology of anxiety and religion. Our Gemara on Amud Aleph makes the famous declaration …
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 …
For Whom the Baal Tolls Avodah Zara 48 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author:
August 5th, 2025

On this Daf, there are various discussions of how to negotiate the intrusion of idolatry in public spaces. In earlier times of less material wealth and technology, it was not uncommon for the entire town to rely on the town clock, which was typically located on the tallest building—usually a church. Since it is forbidden to receive material benefit from idolatry and idolatrous objects, Poskim have discussed whether it is permissible to tell the …
Transgender Persons, Halakhic and Psychological Perspectives
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 6th, 2019

A prominent member of the community, born as an Orthodox male, with a wife and several married and unmarried children, announces to his family and friends that he no longer can live as a man. He tells his community that he has felt all along to be a woman, and finds it unbearable to continue with this charade. He has begun hormonal and surgical treatments, and is now dressing like a woman.   His children, advisors, friends, are stupefied. Th …
Succah 32 The Ways of the Torah are Ways of Peace Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 6th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses how we derive which species is the correct one for the mitzvah of Lulav: And say the verse is referring to oleander, which has both characteristics. Abaye said: It is written with regard to the Torah: “Its ways are ways of pleasantness” (Proverbs 3:17), and that is not the case with the oleander tree, because it is a poisonous plant and its sharp, thorn-like leaves pierce the hand of one holding it. …
Succah 31 The Law of Return Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 6th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us of a sad and frustrating interlude where the servants of the Exilarch stole an elderly lady’s wood and made it into Schach. She was demanding justice be served, and truthfully according to the letter of the Torah law the actual stolen object must be returned. Financial payment is insufficient, so long as the object is unchanged and available. This is true even if one built an entire house and the one main s …
Conditional Conditions Psychology of the Daf Yomi Gittin 82
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 6th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph and Beis discusses the dynamic of a Get given on a condition. Rav Shlomo Yosef Zevin in Resise Hegyonos (Parashas Re’eh) uses this Gemara to explain a Midrashic comment on the following verses (Devarim 11:26-27): רְאֵ֗ה אָנֹכִ֛י נֹתֵ֥ן לִפְנֵיכֶ֖ם הַיּ֑וֹם בְּרָכָ֖ה וּקְלָלָֽה׃  See, this day I set before you blessing and curse:  אֶֽת־הַבּ …
The Clarifying Effect of Oppression Bava Basra 42 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 6th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis makes a reference to a Torah discussion that apparently transpired while the participants were hiding out in a cave. Rav Yaakov Emden comments on this: You see how much they cherished Torah, that even under duress hiding out in fear, they engaged in study.   Torah scholarship is in many ways different than other intellectual pursuits. Art, music, science and philosophy flourish with emotional, social and financial sta …
Rock Solid Attitudes Avodah Zara 49 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author:
August 6th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis begins a discussion regarding a particular deity known as Markulis. It is not necessarily Mercury, because the way in which the Gemara describes the worship and what we know from Greek mythology does not perfectly match. Regardless of its actual identity, the Gemara and commentaries describe it as being formed by a pile of two rocks and then one rock on top. An aspect of its worship seems to be throwing a rock at it. Inter …
The Zone of Proximal Development Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 155
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 7th, 2020

  As this Gemara addresses the eating habits and needs of different animals I thought to share a lovely aggadah about Dovid Hamelech and leadership. for Video Shiur click here to listen:  Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 155  מדרש תהילים ע״ח ויבן כמו רמים מקדשו. כשהיה דוד רועה את צאן אביו. במזמור כ"ב. לכך ויבן כמו רמים מקדשו. ויבחר בדוד עבדו וי …
A Doting Attuned Father Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 154
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 7th, 2020

Shabbos אַבָּיֵי אַשְׁכְּחֵיהּ לֵיהּ לְרַבָּה דְּקָא מְשַׁפְשֵׁף לֵיהּ לִבְרֵיהּ אַגַּבָּא דְחַמְרָא. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: קָא מִשְׁתַּמֵּשׁ מָר בְּבַעֲלֵי חַיִּים! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: צְדָדִין הֵן, וּצְדָדִין לָא גְּזַרוּ בְּהוּ רַבָּנַן. מְנָא תֵּימְרָא — ד …
More on Psychology of the Oral Torah Kesuvos 32 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 7th, 2022

The Oral Torah is taught to us when we are grade school children as a fact and feature of Torah, with little explanation as to its function and significance. I venture to say that many people just think of it as two parallel Torahs; one was originally written while the other was not. This does not make much sense as there should logically be a reason why certain aspects of the Torah were originally designated as oral and other parts not. From a s …
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 …
Being Good While You Are Bad Bava Basra 43 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 7th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis refers to the principle of ba’alayv imo. Ordinarily the borrower of an object has full liability, even for unavoidable accidental losses with zero neglect on his part. However, if the owner was employed by the borrower in some for of labor at the time of the lending, then the borrower is exempt from liability.   The Ateres Yeshua on Parashas Mishpatim adds a symbolic meaning to this legal tort: God is the owner, …
Border Patrol Avodah Zarah 50 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author:
August 7th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the status of stones near the pile of stones that make up the deity Markulis. If they are within four cubits, they are close enough that they are assumed to be part of the deity and just became detached.The area of four cubits manifests itself with regularity in Halacha. Whether for commerce, mitzvos, or even idolatry, this space around an object has a particular significance of meaning and attachment.
The Ge …
Succah 33 Personal Responsibility Is Eternal Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 8th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph explains, regarding the commandment to cover the blood of a slaughtered bird or wild animal: ⁦With regard to one who slaughtered a non-domesticated animal or a bird and is obligated to cover the blood, if he covered the blood and it was then uncovered, he is exempt from the obligation to cover it a second time. However, if the wind blew dust and covered the blood and no person was involved, he is obligated to cover it. …
Miscarriage of Justice Kesuvos 33 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 8th, 2022

It is a fact of life, psychologically and religiously, that the human psyche is in constant conflict and turmoil. Our Gemara quotes a verse that describes a quarrel between two men, an injured female bystanders and her fetuses. Toldos Yaakov Yosef reads into these verses a insightful allegory of the eternal struggle between the good inclination and the evil inclination. The verses are as follows (Shemos 21:22-24): וְכִֽי־יִנָּצ֣וּ …
Thinking the Unthinkable Gittin 84 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 8th, 2023

The Gemara on Amud Aleph presents an intriguing dispute between Abaye and Rava concerning the validity of a condition in a get (bill of divorce). If the husband stipulates a condition that is impossible, the Get is valid even when the condition cannot be met. What about a condition that is technically possible but unthinkable,.such as "on the condition that you eat pig meat"? Abaye argues that the get is still valid because the condition is void, …
Attachment and Mindfulness Bava Basra 44 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 8th, 2024

Tosafos on Amud Beis (“V’lo”) discusses a quasi legal opinion that each Jew owns their own four cubit section in the land of Israel, by virtue of inheritance from ancestors. Even though these lands were conquered, because they were done so illegally, they are still in the possession of the rightful owners.   As we discussed extensively in blog posts Psychology of the Daf Bava Basra 34 & 37, the righteous person sees God …
Twelve Months to Forget Avodah Zara 57 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author:
August 8th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses one who buys a slave from an idolatrous gentile household. As per Jewish law, the servant now becomes obligated in mitzvos. The question is: When can we safely allow him to touch wine without fear of yayin nesech?
Rav Naḥman said in the name of Shmuel: Even if the slaves were circumcised and immersed, they still render the wine forbidden, as they are accustomed to idolatry, until reference to idol worship d …
Power Beyond the Stones Avodah Zarah 52 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author:
August 8th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis reports on the way in which the Temple was desecrated by the Greeks prior to the Chashmonaim rebellion, victory, and miracles of Chanukah:
They desecrated the stones by using them for idol worship.
This indicates that Temple vessels that were used in idolatrous worship can no longer be used and must be sequestered.
The Maharal (Ner Mitzvah II:8) reflects on the miracles of Chanukah. In reality, the true miracle wa …
The Path of Rationalization Avodah Zarah 51 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author:
August 8th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis (through the following daf) records a dispute between Rabbi Yishmael and Rabbi Akiva regarding an idol that was crafted but not yet worshipped. According to Rabbi Yishmael, a gentile’s object of idol worship is not prohibited until it is worshipped, but a Jew’s object of idol worship is prohibited immediately. According to Rabbi Akiva, a gentile’s object of idol worship is prohibited immediately, but a Jew’s object …
Rupture and Reconnection Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 157
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 9th, 2020

Psychology of the Daf This Daf discusses the Biblically ordained process whereby a husband can nullify vows made by his wife within a certain window of time.  The mystics could not miss the symbolism within a process of an archetypal feminine manifestation creating a vow and then having it nullified by a masculine manifestation. for Video Shiur click here to listen:  Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 157 I take responsibility for my interpr …
The Ego Defense of Sublimation Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 156
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 9th, 2020

  הַאי מַאן דִּבְמַאְדִּים — יְהֵי גְּבַר אָשֵׁיד דְּמָא. אָמַר רַב אָשֵׁי: אִי אוּמָּנָא, אִי גַּנָּבָא, אִי טַבָּחָא, אִי מָהוֹלָא. אָמַר רַבָּה: אֲנָא בְּמַאְדִּים הֲוַאי. אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: מָר נָמֵי עָנֵישׁ וְקָטֵיל. One who was born under the influence of Mars …
At What Cost Does Change Come?
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 9th, 2020

This last Friday night I fell asleep pondering a scientific riddle:  The Boro Park community suffered painful losses during the initial days of Covid.  This community mostly ignored the distancing policies. Some will say, with large families and a religious lifestyle dependent on continuous communal interaction between shul, weddings, mikvah and school, they found it too hard to treat as a priority.  Whatever the case may be, in th …
Succah 34 How to Enjoy Torah Study Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 9th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph states: Rabbi Abbahu said that the Holy One, Blessed be He, said: I said that the Jewish people should be before Me as a plant placed by great waters, and what is that plant? It is a willow. And they set themselves as a tzaftzafa of the mountains. Ben Yehoyada interprets this allegorically to be referring to the study of Torah. Hashem wanted the Jews to be sustained by pure Torah study alone, much as the Willow is fully s …
Rav Soloveitchik Meets Heschel Kesuvos 34 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 9th, 2022

What makes Shabbos into Shabbos? It is told that when Rav JB Soloveitchick was showed AJ Heschel’s book, “The Sabbath”, he commented.  “Shabbos is ‘An Oasis in time? (Heschel’s poetic term, implying that Shabbos is unique space in time) — No, Shabbos is the 39 Melachos!”  Despite this very Lithuanian quip, the Shabbos is called holy, and how can we understand what that means in practical t …
Psychological Freedom Gittin 85 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 9th, 2023

The Mishna on Amud Aleph defines the essential characteristic of a Get (Jewish bill of divorce): "You are hereby permitted to marry any man." Lomdishe discussions consider whether this single declaration is sufficient to effect the divorce or if there are two distinct elements involved: the legal transaction of giving over the document and the declaration within the document that finalizes the unencumbrance. While this may appear as a minute anal …
Remember to Forget Bava Basra 46 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 9th, 2024

As is part of the text of Shas, occasionally the ancient editors and compilers would insert mnemonic words and acronyms to sum up various sections and tracts. On Amud Beis an unusual mnemonic is used: “Amalek”.   Rav Yaakov Emden notes this irony. How is it appropriate to use the name of our dreaded enemy, Amalek, of whom we are commanded to wipe out its memory, as a means to remember? The verse (Devarim 25:19) commands: “Y …
Judaism and the Myth of the Noble Savage Bava Basra 45 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 9th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes a verse from Tehilim (37:21):   לוה רשע ולא ישלם וצדיק חונן ונותן   The wicked man borrows and does not repay, the righteous is generous and keeps giving.   The mystical interpretation of this verse is that God is the lender, the one who gives us our soul for safekeeping. The wicked person in the verse is a person in the act of committing a sin. God is being gracious and loa …
Rabbinic Sex Abuse Prevention Pesachim 19 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 10th, 2020

  The Gemara discusses a series of rabbinic decrees, which added additional levels of impurity to a variety of objects: Rava said: But weren’t both decrees issued on the same day? As we learned in a mishna: The impurity of a Torah scroll and other sacred scrolls, and the impurity of hands that were not washed or immersed, and the impurity of one who immersed himself during that day, and the impurity of foods and vessels that became imp …
Taanis 30 Celebrating Diversity Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 10th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis tell us that One reason that the 15th of Av was a holiday is that it was the day in which the Jewish people, subsequent to the generation of the wilderness, were permitted to intermarry from one tribe  to another. Why is this considered such a holiday? Shall we say that the restoration of a certain type of liberty over whom you marry is really such a cause for celebration? There aren’t enough eligible mates with …
Taanis 29 A Date Which Will Live in Infamy Psychology & the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 10th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us that the fact that the Jews cried and complained about the land of Israel during the sin of the spies caused that day to be, forevermore, a day of mourning. As FDR said, “A Date Which Will Live in Infamy.”  That day, was of course Tisha B’Av. ⁦And it is further written: “And all the congregation lifted up their voice and cried and the people wept that night” (Numbers 14:1). Ra …
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 …
Dating Wingman Bava Basra 168 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 10th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph considers the modesty practices of Torah sages, noting that they often avoid paying close attention to a woman’s appearance. Therefore, it advises: Abaye said: A Torah scholar who goes to betroth a woman should take an Am Haaretz (common folk, non-learned person) with him to establish a positive identity of the woman. Otherwise, people might exchange another woman for her when given to him for marriage, taking advan …
Sort By:Reset All
title +
date +

Results per page:

...2345678...