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Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R The Daf Yomi through a Psychological Lens.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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 …
Time and Space Warps in Chazal Zevachim 87 Psychology of the Daf
Author:
December 10th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the principle that “There is no disqualification of limbs that are left overnight at the top of the altar.” If a limb was left overnight at the top of the altar, the priest may burn it forever — i.e., no matter how much time has passed.Is this rule just a halachic technicality or a sign of something even more spectacular? Tzofnas Pa’aneach (Beshalach 16:33) notes that the jar of Manna which was preserved …
To perceive is to Suffer Pesachim 21 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 11th, 2020

To Perceive Is To Suffer - Aristotle The Gemara discusses the directive to support the Ger Toshav by providing him with meat that was rendered Unkosher. A Ger Toshav is a non-Jewish person who accepts upon himself to abide by the Seven Noachide Laws.  As it was taught in a baraita: “You shall not eat of any unslaughtered animal; you may give it to the resident alien who is within your gates, that he may eat it; or you may sell it to a …
Love or Control? Pesachim 20 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 11th, 2020

The Gemara mentions a concept called Chibas HaKodesh, literally the affection for the holy. In a halakhic sense, normally a food product needs to be willingly exposed to water or certain other liquids before it is deemed receptive to ritual impurity.  However, the principle of Chibas HaKodesh bestows a significance upon the sacrificial food and renders it on a level to accept ritual impurity.  To explain this more, let us note that vess …
The Leader is Only As Strong as the People Nedarim 47 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 11th, 2022

Our Mishna on Amud Beis uses an unusual form, instead of saying  הֲרֵי אַתְּה עָלַי חֵרֶם behold you (“atah” masculine) are cherem, it says הֲרֵי אַתְּ behold you (”at” female), though the Mishna is referring to an interchange between two men, as it gives no indication of a gender specific halakha.  Tosafos Yom Tov notes this and remarks that occasionally Hebrew will use the word fo …
Cow-ardly Diagnoses Bava Kamma 39 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 11th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the case of an ox owned by a minor or a mentally incompetent person. It can also be established as a muchzak to be aggressive and gore people via three incidents, but since the owner is incompetent, an agent or guardian must be established.  The guardian serves in place of the owner and is warned by three incidents, in the same way that owner would have been if he was competent.   What is most fas …
The Mysterious Monotheism of King Akhenaten Bava Basra 169 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 11th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a principle regarding halachic agency. While one may appoint an agent to act on their behalf in legal matters, such as purchases, the agency remains valid only if the agent performs as directed. If the agent deviates significantly from their instructions, the transaction is nullified. The Sefer Kevodah Shel Torah frequently uses halachic principles to illuminate or expand upon biblical narratives. In Bereishis (4 …
Sound Advice: When Silence Speaks Louder Zevachim 88 Psychology of the Daf
Author:
December 11th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us that the cloak (me’il) of the Cohen Gadol atones for l’shon hara, hurtful speech. The noise made by the bells on its hem is a reminder of the power of sound and speech, appropriate or inappropriate.The verse (Shemos 28:33 and Rashi) tells us that the golden bells on the cloak were placed between two “pomegranates” of blue, purple, and crimson yarns. L’Levi Amar comments that the pomegranates represent qu …
Taanis 31 Marrying “L’shem Shamayim” Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 12th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us about the semi-annual Shidduch festival that happened on the 15th of Av and Yom Kippur. The young maidens would each promote their particular strength and virtue. The beautiful women would extoll the virtue of being attractive. say? Women with yichus would say, “Set your eyes toward family, and the children of a wife from a distinguished family will inherit her lineage.”  But the Gemara wonders, …
Pleasure and Good are Not the Same Nedarim 48 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 12th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a scenario where a person makes an oath to not benefit from the person, is forbidden from benefiting from any of the community property. Included in this community property is the Shul and the scrolls (what we would call books, but they didn’t have books or codexes in those days.)  The commentaries raise a question as to why it would be forbidden to benefit from the Shul or the Sefarim as there is a p …
True Sacrifice Bava Kamma 40 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 12th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes a verse from Vayikra (1:2): Speak to the Israelite people, and say to them: When any amongst you presents an offering from cattle to Hashem, You shall choose your offering from the herd or from the flock. Our Gemara derives various exclusions from the qualifiers in this verse (“from the…”, and “amongst”) to render certain animals as unfit for sacrifice, such as those used for immoral a …
Misplaced Truths Bava Basra 170 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 12th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph recounts an episode in which Rabbi Yitzchak bar Yosef believed that the esteemed Rabbi Abba owed him a large sum of money. Rabbi Abba, however, maintained that he had already repaid the debt. On the surface, this situation seems perplexing. One might expect sages of their stature to exercise exceptional care in tracking financial matters. Moreover, if there were any uncertainty, it would seem more in line with their piety …
Getting Your Goat Or Let it Stew Zevachim 90 Psychology of the Daf
Author:
December 12th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses what sacrifice takes precedence — the more holy (mekudash) sacrifice or the one that is brought more often (tadir)? For example, what gets sprinkled first: the blood from the daily Tamid sacrifice or the blood from a chattas?
Mei Shiloach (I, Mishpatim 5) relates this to the idea of what middah, what character trait, is more appropriate: patience or zealotry. Tadir — consistent and continuous action — re …
Slow and Steady, Easy Does It Zevachim 89 Psychology of the Daf
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December 12th, 2025

Our Gemara discusses the principle that an offering that is more sacred takes precedence over one that is less sacred. This rule seems to conflict with a different rule, that one proceeds in the order of lesser sanctity to greater sanctity, as known most famously for Beis Hillel’s reason that the Chanuka lights go from 1–8 and not 8–1 (Shabbos 21a). How do we know when to apply each principle?Rav Kook (Orach Mishpat 3) explains that when de …
Once in Holiness, Always in Reach Zevachim 84 Psychology of the Daf
Author:
December 12th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses Rabbi Shimon’s position that an invalidated sacrifice, such as one that was slaughtered at night, since it only became disqualified once it was already in a sanctified place — that is, once its service and worship function had already begun — it too is not taken off the altar if it was erroneously put on. This would be in contradistinction to a disqualification that occurred prior, such as an animal that w …
Fear no Love Pesachim 22 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 13th, 2020

The Gemara Discusses a challenge of how to understand what could possibly be equated to the fear of G-d. The reason why this puzzle arises is that in Hebrew there is a conjunctive word that you cannot easily translate into English, the word “Es”, which roughly translates into a verbal signal that some thing is coming along with the item explicitly named. So for example when the verses honor thy father and thy mother, there is this add …
Megillah 2 United We Stand Divided We Fall Psychology & the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 13th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis uses a phrase, שְׁלֹשָׁה עָשָׂר זְמַן קְהִילָּה לַכֹּל הִיא. The thirteenth of Adar is a time of assembly for all, as the verse indicates, it was on that day that the Jews assembled to fight their enemies, and the main miracle was performed on that day. Consequently, there is no need for a special scriptural derivation to include it as a day that is fit for reading the Megilla. The Li …
Self Destructiveness and Compliance Nedarim 49 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 13th, 2022

  Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us an interesting vignette about when Rabbi Yirmiyahu was unwell and a doctor came to visit him. when the doctor saw that he had a particular kind of food believed to intensify the illness, the doctor, exasperated, declared, ”The angel of death is in this house, and you were expecting me to try to cure him?” It is worth focusing on the common challenging human behavior pattern of self-destructive …
Also Known As Bava Kamma 41 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 13th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the use of the Hebrew word “es”, which has no English translation, but signals an association between a significant object, and other less significant objects that are subsumed within the context. Thus, Rabbi Akiva famously derives from “Es Hashem Elokecha Tira” “Es Hashem your God you must fear” (Devarim 6:13), to include fear for Torah sages under the directive to fear God. T …
You Really Can’t Judge Bava Basra 172 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 13th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis explores a situation involving two people with identical names, as well as fathers with identical names. This creates a significant problem in the absence of last names, as the culture of the Talmud relied on patronymic identification—“son of so-and-so.” The Gemara chooses the example of “Yosef ben Shimon” to illustrate the issue. This choice of names has piqued the curiosity of many commentat …
A Grave Cure Bava Basra 171 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 13th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes Rabbi Ḥanina bar Pappi, who expresses his profound reverence for Rav and Shmuel with a striking metaphor: “Who will give us some of the dust of Rav and Shmuel, and I will place it on my eyes, so highly do I regard them.” At first glance, the notion of putting dust in one’s eyes seems puzzling as an expression of honor. To understand this, we must look to a related account in Sanhedrin 47b, which …
Intellectualized Defenses Pesachim 23 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 14th, 2020

The Gemara mentions a principle used in derashos known as אין ריבוי אחר ריבוי אלא למעט, one amplificatory expression after another is restrictive. Meaning, when the Torah includes an application of a law in one situation, and then in another verse includes it in another situation, it is deduced that in all other situations the law does not apply. The logic for this is that otherwise, if the law was only stated in one case, …
Megillah 3 Logic Versus Intuition Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 14th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a certain kind of intuition, whereby there is a sense of foreboding without any known reason. Therefore, even though Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi did not actually see the vision that Daniel was seeing of a fearsome angelic being in real time, they were still in a state of uncanny dread. The Gemara explains that though they did not see the vision, their “mazal” saw it. Rashi translates this as their …
Taking Evil with a Grain of Salt Nedarim 50 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 14th, 2022

    Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us a heartwarming story about Rabbi Akiva and Rachel’s love for each other, and sacrifice for Torah: בְּסִיתְוָא הֲוָה גָּנוּ בֵּי תִיבְנָא, הֲוָה קָא מְנַקֵּיט לַיהּ תִּיבְנָא מִן מַזְּיַיהּ. אֲמַר לַהּ: אִי הֲוַאי לִי, רָמֵינָא לִיךְ יְרוּשָׁלַיִם דְּדַהֲבָא. א …
Fine by You, But is it Fine by Me? Bava Kamma 42 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 14th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis refers to the fine paid by the owner of an ox who gores and kills a Canaative slave. The amount is set at 30 shekel, regardless of the actual worth of the slave.  The gemara considers this a stringency, which then has implications in terms of inferences to and from other related laws, via reasoning of a kal v’chomer. The commentaries raise an obvious question: Why is this fixed amount assumed to be a stringency? …
A Time to Declare : When Moed Beats Shabbos Zevachim 91
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December 14th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph continues its discussion of what takes precedence — the more holy (mekudash) sacrifice or the one that is brought more often (tadir)?The Gemara attempts to bring a proof from the beraisa which rules that the Musaf sacrifices of Shabbos precede the Musaf sacrifices of Rosh Chodesh. If we are to assume the Musfei Rosh Chodesh are more sanctified than the Musfei Shabbos, but the Musfei Shabbos are tadir (frequent and conti …
Crime and Punishment Pesachim 24 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 15th, 2020

The Gemara states a well known principle that warnings for Biblical prohibitions that entail corporal or capital punishment cannot be deduced from an inference such as a kal v’chomer, but rather must be an explicit verse. For example, if the Torah says one who does melacha on Yom Tov gets lashes, surely one who violates the Sabbath should get lashes. We cannot derive a warning or punishment from that Kal V’chomer, rather Shabbos requi …
Megillah 5 Two Heads are Better than One Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 15th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us about an interchange between a master and a student. Rabbi Abba bar Zavda, had to correct his master, Rabbi Elazar about a particular recollection of an incident that affected the halachic analysis. Rabbi Elazar’s humble response was to quote Koheles (4:9), “Two are better than one”.  He wanted to reassure his student that he welcomed the correction and feedback. Reishis Chokhma (Shaar Haked …
Megillah 4 Do Not Cause Despair Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 15th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us a reason why the Megillah is not read on Shabbos: ⁦Rav Yosef said that there is another reason the Megilla is not read on Shabbos: Because the eyes of the poor are raised to the reading of the Megilla. The poor await the day on which the Megilla is read, because on that day gifts are distributed to the poor. If the Megilla is read on Shabbos, it will not be possible to distribute gifts to the poor, who will be d …
Tune In To Your Family’s Needs Nedarim 51 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 15th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us about shenanigans that Bar Kapparah, a badchan, did at Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi’s daughter’s wedding. At some point, part of a riddle challenge, he says: Tomorrow I will drink wine at your father’s dancing and your mother’s [kirekanei]. “Kirekanie” is probably an onomatopoeia. Some commentaries say it was singing (Ran), while others say dancing (Tosafos), and others say that it is m …
Animal Behavior and Consequences Bava Kamma 44 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 15th, 2023

We learned in our Mishna on Amud Beis, that according to the Tanna Kamma, an ownerless ox that gored and killed someone is still executed. This suggests that killing of a murderous ox is not merely a punishment for the owner but even a punishment for the ox.  At first glance, this would seem absurd, to hold an ox liable for its choices, as if it is intelligent.  However, we have already seen that the Talmudic view of animal thought is m …
You Do Not Own Your Wife Bava Kamma 43 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 15th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the payment requirements of someone who hit a woman causing an unborn child to miscarry. The perpetrator must pay the father of the unborn compensation for loss. The Netziv (Shu”t Meishiv Davar 4:35) makes an important observation that has implications for the philosophy of marriage. Netziv says, you might wonder how the Gemara assumed it was obvious that the father was entitled to damages, even if he neve …
Taking Responsibility and Returning to Self Bava Basra 173 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 15th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes a series of verses from Mishlei (6:1-3), which caution against the dangers of becoming a cosigner for another’s debt: son, if you have stood surety for your fellow, Given your hand for another, You have been trapped by the words of your mouth, Snared by the words of your mouth. Do this, then, my son, to extricate yourself, For you have come into the power of your fellow: Go grovel—and badger your fellow. …
Stains of the Soul: Laundering With Teshuva Energy Zevachim 92 Psychology of the Daf
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December 15th, 2025

Our Mishna and Gemara on Amud Aleph discuss the principle of blood from a chattas offering that was designated for sprinkling on the altar but ended up on an article of clothing. The garment must be laundered within the Temple courtyard to remove the blood.
What is the significance of the power of this blood? Toras HaOlah (III:35) says that the blood that is sprinkled represents the penitence for the sin. This is considered exceedingly powerfu …
Book Review: I Am for My Beloved
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 16th, 2019

Book Review I Am for My Beloved A Guide for Enhanced Intimacy for Married Couples David S. Ribner and Talli Y. Rosenbaum   Imagine one day, on the eve of the Pesach Seder, Eliyahu HaNavi issued a special hora’at Sha’ah, commanding all the Jews to eat a Ham and Cheese sandwich while reclining at the Seder instead of the usual Matzah and Maror.  Even the most devout believers would have great difficulty fulfilling this unusual …
Your Money or Your Life Pesachim 25 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 16th, 2020

  As it was taught in a baraita that Rabbi Eliezer says: If it is stated: “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,” why is it stated: “And with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5)? And if it is stated: “With all your might,” why is it stated: “With all your soul”? One of these statements appears to be superfluous. תַנְיָא, רַבִּי אֱלִיע …
Athens or Jerusalem? Nedarim 53 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 16th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the rabbinic enactment that the very earth from outside Israel has an impurity to it. Shem MiShmuel (Ki Savo 9) discusses the mystical peshat in why this is so. Land itself has a certain drive and magnetic draw. Many cultures refer to their country land as “mother” or “father”.  The Torah itself has references to the land itself, almost like it has a personality. For example (Vayikra …
Opposite and Helpful Nedarim 52 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 16th, 2022

There is a landmark lomdishe Ran on Amud Aleph that discusses in-depth the Torah logic regarding bitul, which means the way in which certain unkosher or forbidden substances can be nullified in larger amounts. One of the principles he establishes is the idea behind the opinion which holds that like matters cannot be subject to bitul, nullification, in contradistinction to two different matters. (שיטת רבי יהודה שמין במינו אי …
A Shattered Vessel and a Whole Lot of Soul Zevachim 93 Psychology of the Daf
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December 16th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the laws of the vessels in which the meat of sin offerings was cooked. A copper vessel is scoured and rinsed in the grounds of the Temple courtyard, while an earthenware vessel must be shattered.
Kli Yakkar (Vayikra 6:21) adds a symbolic dimension. While this rule applies to many sacrifices, the sin offering is the source text. The Kli Yakkar reads significance in this, seeing a special emphasis and message to …
Life in the Shadows Pesachim 26 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 17th, 2020

  אָמְרוּ עָלָיו עַל רַבָּן יוֹחָנָן בֶּן זַכַּאי שֶׁהָיָה יוֹשֵׁב בְּצִילּוֹ שֶׁל הֵיכָל, וְדוֹרֵשׁ כׇּל הַיּוֹם כּוּלּוֹ. They said about Rabban Yoḥanan ben Zakkai that he would sit in the street adjacent to the Temple Mount in the shade of the Sanctuary and expound to a large number of people all day long. There seems to me to be some …
Megillah 7 Healthy Narcissism Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 17th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us that Esther requested of the Sages, that the Holiday of Purim be established for posterity. Rashi here adds: “For a holiday, and to read the Megilla to be a remembrance of my name.” One might ask, what is legitimate about the second part of her request? Isn’t it self-aggrandizing? Part of me thinks, Esther was doomed in a marriage to a Gentile, and she realized that as a Jew, she may be complete …
Megillah 6 Torah in a Different Arena Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 17th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us of a prophecy that the coliseums and theaters used for idolatrous purposes will one day be used to teach Torah in public. Aside from the accuracy of this prediction, as we have seen Siyumim and other Torah gatherings taking place in Madison Square Garden as well as virtual media outlets, what is the significance of this prediction? That is, why does it matter? Would it not be enough to know that Torah will be pro …
The “I”, in Idolatry Bava Kamma 45 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 17th, 2023

Our Gemara uses a famous principle of halakhic derivation, אֵין רִיבּוּי אַחַר רִיבּוּי אֶלָּא לְמַעֵט an inclusionary statement following another inclusionary statement implies an exclusion.  Arvei Nachal (Parashas Eikev) sees this Torah idea as valid in all spheres of existence, and not merely derashos.  A person who seeks to aggrandize himself will lead to his diminishment.   Socra …
Ostentatiousness and Humility Bava Basra 175 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 17th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph references a social and psychological principle that a person is reluctant to appear excessively wealthy. This has halakhic implications, as it may lead a person on his deathbed to declare fictional debts in front of others in order to give the impression of having fewer assets, even though he does not actually owe them. As a safeguard, halakha requires specific language that clearly directs the debt to be paid, rather th …
An Impoverished Attitude Bava Basra 174 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 17th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis recounts the story of a person in dire financial straits who devised a plan to improve his situation, only for unforeseen circumstances to derail it. Reflecting on this, the Gemara uses the aphorism: “Poverty follows the impoverished person.” Similarly, in Bava Kamma 92a, the sages observe a poignant inequality: wealthy individuals who brought their first fruits to the Temple in gold and silver baskets were per …
Torn Between Two Commands Zevachim 94 Psychology of the Daf
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December 17th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a procedural dilemma: We have learned the rule that a garment that has blood of a sin offering sprayed on it must be laundered in the Temple courtyard. What do we do if the garment left the premises and became impure? On the one hand, it is forbidden to bring an impure vessel into the courtyard; on the other hand, there is a directive to cleanse the blood from the garment only in the Temple courtyard. The resolut …
He Who Lives by the Sword Pesachim 28 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 18th, 2020

The Gemara discusses a scenario where Rabbi Yehuda was proven wrong, using his own logic against him. The Gemara then quotes three aphorisms, used by people to describe this kind of situation: Rav Yosef said: This is as people say: In the spoon that the carpenter made, the mustard will burn his palate. In other words, one can be harmed by his own actions. Similarly, in this case the strongest proof against Rabbi Yehuda’s opinion is the one …
By Any Means Necessary Pesachim 27 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 18th, 2020

This Gemara discusses a scenario where the first generation Amora, Shmuel, amends a beraisa deliberately. Although usually the Halakha is not in accordance with Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi when a majority of sages oppose him, here the halakha was in accordance with him even against the majority. Shmuel reworded the beraisa to “falsely” indicate Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi’s opinion as the “Rabbis”, as if he was a majority, so those …
It Could be Heaven or it Could be Hell Nedarim 54 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 18th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes medical advice from the Great Amora, Rosh Yeshiva and Physician, Shmuel: אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: נוּן סָמֶךְ עַיִן — נוּנָא סַמָּא לְעֵינַיִם! as Shmuel said an acronym: Nun, samekh, ayin, which stands for: Nuna samma la’einayim, which means: Fish is a medicine for eyes.  Maharsha says that the Jews, when they were complaining about the Man, also hinted at …
The Chosson and Kallah Shmooze You Wish You Had But Never Got
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 18th, 2023

The Chosson and Kallah Shmooze You Wish You Had But Never Got Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, LCSW-R, DHL simchafeuerman@gmail.com   In this video series we will discuss the Jewish ideas about marriage, sexual pleasure, abstention, modesty, marriage communication, sexual dysfunctions such as premature ejaculation, delayed ejaculation, anorgasmia, painful intercourse, desire disparities, sexual addictions, sexual trauma and how to treat them and unde …
Dependency Issues Bava Kamma 46 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 18th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the Talmudic principle of Hamotzi Mechaveiro Alayv Hara’yah, which translates best as, “If you wish to make a legal claim upon someone, the burden of proof is on you.” The Gemara considers the following verse as a source for this principle, which were instructions that Moshe gave to the Council of Elders, and Aharon and Chur before he ascended Mount Sinai (Shemos 24:14): וְאֶל־הַזְּק …
Behavioral Momentum Bava Basra 176 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 18th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph references how the sages were careful to enact ordinances that protected purchasers from unknown liens and repossessions. However, they balanced this with a need for reasonable mechanisms for creditors to collect debt so as not to discourage people from lending. Additionally, there is a mitzvah incumbent upon the heirs to pay debts from the estate of the deceased, as discussed on 174a. The Pele Yoetz ("Loveh") employs bot …
Breaking News: The Case of the Suspicious Clay Oven Zevachim 95 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author:
December 18th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a technical rule regarding the requirement to shatter the earthenware vessel in which the meat from the sacrifice was cooked. Is it based on the absorption and retention of the material, or a divine decree applying to any earthenware vessel in which sacrificial meat is cooked, regardless of absorption? The difference would be a case where the meat was cooked while suspended in a clay oven in such a manner that no …
Megillah 8 The Torah is Open Source Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 19th, 2021

Our Mishna on Amud Beis tells us that Sifrei Torah, theoretically, can be written in any language. Rabban Shimon Ben Gamliel disagreed, and only allowed Sifrei Torah to be written in Greek, and of course Hebrew. He granted a special status to the Greek language on account of the verse (Bereishis 9:27), which implies a special affinity between the Greek nation and the Jewish nation: יַ֤פְתְּ אֱלֹקים֙ לְיֶ֔פֶת וְיִשְׁ …
The Upside of the Downside Nedarim 55 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 19th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us about the importance of humility in acquiring and maintaining knowledge of Torah. The notable aspect of this description is a cycle of humility, bequest-ascension, entitlement-grandiosity, failure, and then recovery: כֵּיוָן שֶׁעוֹשֶׂה אָדָם אֶת עַצְמוֹ כַּמִּדְבָּר, שֶׁהוּא מוּפְקָר לַכֹּל — תּוֹרָה נִיתְּנָה לוֹ בְּמַ …
Mother’s Bond Bava Kamma 47 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 19th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses The status of the calf fetus inside the cow. It is considered to be, at that time, a part of the mother‘s body. Therefore, if the cow Gores and damages are due from the value of the ox itself, the fetus is included in the lien. Although paternity may have halakhic status (see Chulin 80a), a mother's bond to the fetus is strong by virtue of a literal physical attachment that leaves a psychological imprint, …
Lack of Conviction Sanhedrin 2 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 19th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the principle that a Jewish court must be structured to avoid gridlock, which is why it always has an odd number of judges. This principle is used to determine the number of judges in various courts. For example, when the Gemara finds scriptural support for a capital court to consist of at least 22 judges, it is automatically assumed that the court must have 23 judges to prevent a tie. The Oholei Yitschok raises …
Known Unknowns: When Awareness Creates Reality Zevachim 104 Psychology of the Daf
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December 19th, 2025

Continuing its discussion of the status of a sacrifice that becomes disqualified, the Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses an interesting case in which a sacrifice was found to be a tereifa only after the blood was sprinkled, since examination of the internal organs occurs later:
“Rabbi Chanina holds that in the case of an animal that was found to be a tereifa due to a wound in its intestines, the sprinkling of the blood nevertheless effects accep …
Proof by Non-Event: When Not Seeing Is not Believing Zevachim 103 Psychology of the Daf
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December 19th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis contains a Mishna where Rabbi Chanina the segan (deputy) cohen sought to prove his halachic opinion by virtue of his testimony. His testimony was a negative one, stating: “In all my days, I never saw a hide going out to the place of burning.” (This refers to a sacrifice having been disqualified, and yet the hide still being given to the cohen.) The Rabbis reject his proof, stating: “Not having seen a phenomenon occur …
Knife to Meet You: The Akeidahs Cutting Insight Zevachim 97 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author:
December 19th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes a proof text that a knife must be used to slaughter the Olah sacrifice:
“Slaughtering may be performed only with a knife and not with a sharp stone or reed. The Gemara asks: And with regard to a burnt offering itself, from where do we derive that it must be slaughtered with a knife? This is learned from that which is written: ‘And Abraham stretched forth his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son’ (Be …
Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Just Zevachim 96 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
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December 19th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph mentions the miraculous process by which shards of earthenware vessels were absorbed in their place, which we discussed yesterday in one context. There were a number of similar “absorption” miracles in the Temple, as explained in the Gemara Yoma (21a):
“Shards of earthenware vessels were swallowed in the earth in their places, and there was no need to dispose of them. The shards of those vessels were miraculously …
Every Great Story Begins With A Snake Pesachim 10 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 1st, 2020

Every Great Story Begins With A Snake - Nicolas Cage And if you say that sometimes one goes down into the pit for some requirement of his, and he will come to eat it, with regard to a loaf that was in the mouth of a snake, is it necessary for him to bring a snake charmer to take the loaf out of the snake’s mouth, or is this effort not necessary? זִימְנִין דְּנָחֵית לְצוּרְכֵּיהּ וְאָתֵי לְמֵיכְל …
Taanis 20 Flexibility is Fundamental for Mental Health Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 1st, 2021

Our Gemara in Amud Aleph extols the virtue of flexibility: A person should always be soft like a reed, and he should not be stiff like a cedar. What does psychology have to say about this important quality? According to researcher Todd Kashdan: “Psychological flexibility spans a wide range of human abilities to: recognize and adapt to various situational demands; shift mindsets or behavioral repertoires when these strategies compromise pers …
Shabbos Table Insanity Nedarim 37 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 1st, 2022

  Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses why they did not teach cheder children new pieces of Torah on Shabbos. אֶלָּא: גַּבֵּי שַׁבָּת הַיְינוּ טַעְמָא דְּאֵין קוֹרְאִין בַּתְּחִילָּה — מִשּׁוּם דְּיִפְנוּ אֲבָהָתְהוֹן דְּיָנוֹקֵי לְמִצְוְתָא דְשַׁבְּתָא. וְאִיבָּעֵית אֵימָא: מִשּׁוּם דּ …
Toxic Anger and Toxic Waste Bava Kamma 30 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 1st, 2023

Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses practices of the Chassidim Rishonim, a sect of sages who were distinguished by taking upon themselves strict requirements of piety. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: חֲסִידִים הָרִאשׁוֹנִים הָיוּ מַצְנִיעִים קוֹצוֹתֵיהֶם וּזְכוּכִיּוֹתֵיהֶם בְּתוֹךְ שְׂדוֹתֵיהֶן, וּמַעֲמִיקִים לָהֶן שְׁלֹשָׁה טְפָ …
Entrusted Possessions Bava Kamma 29 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 1st, 2023

Our Gemara on amud beis informs us of a legality involving a twilight zone of ownership and non-ownership:   The Gemara states that there are two entities that are not in a person’s legal possession and nevertheless the verse rendered them as though they were in his possession with regard to certain halakhic responsibilities. And these are: A pit that he dug in the public domain and leavened bread remaining in his possession on the eve …
Biblical Russia Collusion Hoax Bava Basra 159 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 1st, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph grapples with why relatives are not able to testify. The logical reason is that since they have bias, their testimony is suspect.  The gemara rhetorically asks, “If so, why are Moses and Aaron disqualified from bearing witness for their father-in-law? Could this be because their testimony is not deemed credible? Are we to think that THEY could lie?”  This leads the Gemara to conclude that the disqual …
The Kosher and the Unkosher in Relationships Zevachim 78 Psychology of the Daf
Author:
December 1st, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the idea that two different prohibitions might alternately join with a permitted substance to nullify a different forbidden substance. In other words, two different prohibited substances can each join with the majority of permitted material to nullify the other.
The Rosh (Shu”t klal 20, article 2) says that even though our Gemara was discussing halachos that pertain to sacrifices, there is a modern-day appl …
Mindfulness: Some Novel Sources
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 20th, 2019

How often is a person conscious and mindful of what he or she is doing? Life is busy, we check our cell phones every three seconds, and when we aren’t regretting the past we are busy worrying about the future. Trauma treatment practitioners are becoming more aware that disassociation is something we all do. It is only a matter of degree and severity that separates trauma victims from others. Without using the term mindfulness, Jewish tradit …
One Punishment is Enough Pesachim 29 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 20th, 2020

The Gemara here discusses the concept of קים ליה בדרבה מיניה which is the following principle: If someone does a prohibited action that entails both a mortally severe punishment (such as heavenly death decree) and a financial penalty, he is exempted from the financial penalty. For example, someone commits an act of theft while simultaneously taking the object from a private domain to a public domain, since he is mortally liable fo …
Megillah 9 Easy Does It Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 20th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells uses an oft quoted principle, מַעֲלִין בַּקּוֹדֶשׁ וְלֹא מוֹרִידִין One elevates to a higher level in matters of sanctity and one does not downgrade. Today I will share with you a unique application of this principle, as described by Sefer HaYashar. Since he will be saying quite a chiddush, it’s worth taking a moment to discuss Sefer HaYashar’s provenance. Although there …
Spiritual Home Inspection Nedarim 56 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 20th, 2022

  Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the halachos of blemishes on a home. Now this is not your typical home inspection, looking for leaks or structural flaws. Instead the verses (Vayikra 14) discuss finding leprous spots on the walls of a home. These rules only applied to homes acquired after entry into the land of Israel and conquest.  כִּ֤י תָבֹ֙אוּ֙ אֶל־אֶ֣רֶץ כְּנַ֔עַן אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֲנִ֛י נֹ …
The Hole Truth About Sin Bava Kamma 48 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 20th, 2023

  Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the liability of someone who has a pit dug on his property, even if he did not do or ask for it to be done: Since this owner of the courtyard should have filled the pit with earth and he did not fill it, he is considered like someone who actually dug the pit. The idea that one is considered to be an active damager simply by neglecting to repair a hazard has metaphysical implications as well. Shem Mishmuel …
The Illusion of Money Sanhedrin 4 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 20th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the minimum number of walls required for a kosher Succah: "There must be two walls in their standard sense, completely closing each of those two sides, and a third wall, which, based on a halakha transmitted to Moses from Sinai, may measure even as little as one handbreadth." Sefer Daf al Daf quotes two interesting pieces of derush regarding this Halacha. The Alshich (Vayikra 23:33) explains that all the benefit …
To Study Torah or to Search Torah? Sanhedrin 3 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 20th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph uses an interesting idiom to describe a certain class of uneducated people, “dwellers on the corner.” This idiom is used to refer to a layperson who might still serve as a judge, assuming the other judges are learned. This idiom for an unlearned person is fascinating because idioms typically do not translate well from one language to another, and certainly not from one culture to another. Yet this idiom is rem …
How to Influence People Even if You Don’t Make Friends Pesachim 30 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 21st, 2020

The Gemara discusses the principle of כבולעו כך פולטו which means that in order to remove non-kosher food essences that become absorbed inside utensils, one must subject them to the same conditions under which they were absorbed. For example if a utensil absorbed food essence in boiling water then it needs to be koshered in boiling water. Or, if a utensil absorbed food essence by exposure to direct flame, it needs to be koshered in t …
Megillah 10 Veiled Interpretations Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 21st, 2021

  Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us a clever derash on the verse that describes Yehuda meeting up with the Zonah, who actually was Tamar in disguise. Tamar still wanted to bear children for Yehuda’s family line, and since Yehuda was delaying offering a levirate marriage with Shelah, she took matters into her own hands. The verse (Bereishis 38:15) states: וַיִּרְאֶ֣הָ יְהוּדָ֔ה וַֽיַּחְשְׁבֶ֖הָ לְז …
Fiery Words Nedarim 57 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 21st, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis mentions an unusual idiom for bringing up a question: העלה בידו he brought up with his hands. The Ran says that sometimes the words mouth and hand are interchangeable in Hebrew, and brings a proof from a verse in Yeshaiyahu (6:6) and the Targum. וַיָּ֣עׇף אֵלַ֗י אֶחָד֙ מִן־הַשְּׂרָפִ֔ים וּבְיָד֖וֹ רִצְפָּ֑ה בְּמֶ֨לְקַחַ֔יִם לָקַ֖ח מֵע …
Do We Dehumanize the Other? Bava Kamma 49 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 21st, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph compares a Canaanite slave to a donkey, in a sense that it is property that can be bought and sold (Am Hadomeh Lechamor). This Talmudinc dictum has been used to accuse Jews of having legal basis for treating non-Jews as if they were animals.  Later in this article, I will discuss some of the meanings to this verse and allusion, but I first feel compelled to respond defensively in a global manner.  One should nev …
The Pain of Descent: Why Falling Hurts More Than Staying Low Zevachim 105 Psychology of the Daf
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December 21st, 2025

Our Gemara discusses the ritual impurity incurred by those who burn certain sacrifices outside Jerusalem, including Yom Kippur offerings whose blood is sprinkled inside the sanctuary, as well as communal chattas and the chattas of a Cohen Gadol (Mishna Zevachim 12:5–6).Typically, impurity is associated with loss of life: exposure to a corpse, the Red Heifer ceremony, niddah and zavah, which represent loss of reproductive potential or disorder. …
Stain Power: When Subjectivity Soaks Through Zevachim 98 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
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December 21st, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses how various stains and substances on clothing cause a disqualification in the purification immersion because they act as a barrier between the water and the garment. While such an issue ought to be factual—i.e., does the water penetrate or not, or how much water must penetrate—instead, they are based on subjective human experience. Therefore, blood and fat stains are considered a barrier, but for a butcher wh …
Self-Care Pesachim 31 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 22nd, 2020

The Gemara discusses the following verse as proof that the security is owned by the lienholder: Devarim 24:13 you must return the pledge to him at sundown, that he may sleep in his cloth and bless you; and it will be to your merit before the LORD your God. הָשֵׁב֩ תָּשִׁ֨יב ל֤וֹ אֶֽת־הַעֲבוֹט֙ כְּבֹ֣א הַשֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ וְשָׁכַ֥ב בְּשַׂלְמָת֖וֹ וּבֵֽרֲכֶ֑ךָּ וּלְ …
Megillah 11 Satan Laughing with Delight Psychology & the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 22nd, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis uses an evocative phrase, “the Satan danced between them.” In our Gemara it is used to refer to what transpired subsequent to Achashveirosh assuming the Jewish prophecy of return had not been fulfilled. He celebrated and used the utensils from the Beis Hamikdash. The Gemara tells us, Satan came and danced between them, and vashti was killed. It is an interesting choice of words, “Satan danced”. It c …
Kosher Pig? Nedarim 58 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 22nd, 2022

Our Gemara on this Daf discusses the halachos of a דבר שיש לו מתירין an item that will eventually become permitted. When such material becomes diluted in a large mixture, many opinions hold that it cannot be nullified. There are different explanations for why this is so, but the simplest being that why rely on a leniency of nullification when anyways it will be permitted? There is a Midrashic tradition that in the Messianic future, …
Be Kind to Animals Because You Never Know…Bava Kamma 51 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 22nd, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the idea of making sure that despite someone having been convicted with the death penalty, the mitzvah of “Love thy neighbor” dictates that we choose the least painful and most dignified way to administer the punishment. For example, if the death punishment involves stoning (which actually is preceded by being thrown from a high structure, it should be constructed sufficiently high that he dies quick …
Premonitions of Doom Bava Kamma 50 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 22nd, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us the happy and then tragic story “Nechunia, the One Who Dug Cisterns”.  תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: מַעֲשֶׂה בְּבִתּוֹ שֶׁל נְחוּנְיָא חוֹפֵר שִׁיחִין שֶׁנָּפְלָה לְבוֹר גָּדוֹל, בָּאוּ וְהוֹדִיעוּ אֶת רַבִּי חֲנִינָא בֶּן דּוֹסָא. שָׁעָה רִאשׁוֹנָה אָמַר לָה …
To Lead by Force or by Enlightenment? Sanhedrin 5 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 22nd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph characterizes the halachic leadership of Babylonia versus Eretz Yisrael: "The verse states: “The scepter shall not depart from Judah nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet until Shiloh comes” (Genesis 49:10). …“The scepter shall not depart from Judah”; these are the Exilarchs in Babylonia, who are empowered by the government and consequently subjugate the Jewish people as with a s …
Christmas Trees on Succos? Context is Everything Zevachim 106 Psychology of the Daf
Author:
December 22nd, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph repeats a well-known scriptural interpretative rule: “Wherever it is stated in the Torah: Guard (hishamer), or Lest (pen), or Do not (al), it connotes a negative prohibition.”
One fascinating use of this principle is understanding the intent of the Ten Commandments’ directive to guard and remember the Shabbos. In version one (Shemos 20:8), we are commanded to “remember the Shabbos.” In version two (Devarim 5: …
Piece and Quiet and Whole Zevachim 99 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author:
December 22nd, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the principle that an Onan (a mourner who has not yet buried a relative and is in the intense early stages of grief and its preoccupations) cannot bring a shelamim sacrifice.
The Gemara’s proof text is a play on words from shelamim, which means whole or at peace:
“Rabbi Shimon says: The offering is called shelamim to teach that when a person is whole (shalem), i.e., in a state of contentment, he brings …
Just Drop The Burden Pesachim 32 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 23rd, 2020

Our Gemara quotes the same position of Rav Nechunya Ben HaKanah that we discussed earlier on Daf 29.  His position is that the concept of קים ליה בדרבה מיניה applies to even chiyuv kares (excision), and not merely a chiyuv misa biydei shamayim (heavenly death decree). To review, קים ליה בדרבה מיניה is the following principle: If someone does a prohibited action that entails both a mortally severe punishment (s …
Megillah 12 They Deserve Each Other Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 23rd, 2021

Our Gemara on the bottom of Amud Aleph through Beis uses an interesting phrase to tell us that neither Acheshveurosh, nor Vashti, were innocent. In other words, they deserved each other. The phrase is: אִיהוּ בְּקָרֵי וְאִתְּתֵיהּ בְּבוּצִינֵי Which roughly translates as he is with pumpkins and she is with zucchini. The Gemara quotes it as a common saying amongst people. What does that phrase really mean, not …
The Chovos Halevavos and SSRI’s Nedarim 60 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 23rd, 2022

Shittah Mekubetzes on Amud Aleph remarks that the Mishna often discusses people who vow against drinking wine because drunkenness brings sorrow and regret. He is paraphrasing a Gemara (Yoma 76b) וְאַמַּאי קָרֵי לֵיהּ יַיִן, וְאַמַּאי קָרֵי לֵיהּ תִּירוֹשׁ? יַיִן — שֶׁמֵּבִיא יְלָלָה לְעוֹלָם. תִּירוֹשׁ — שֶׁכׇּל הַמִּתְגָּרֶה …
Altar Ego Nedarim 59 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 23rd, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes the warning of Rav Nosson: Anyone who vows, it is as if he built a personal altar outside the Temple, and one who fulfills that vow, it is as though he burns an offering upon it The language is notable as there are two stages. First, the person impetuously makes an ill-advised vow. However, he’s not yet in such hot water. He can reverse course and humbly seek nullification from a sage. At this point he only b …
The Importance of Validation Sanhedrin 6 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 23rd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis describes Aharon’s character and temperament in comparison to Moshe. Moshe was a lawgiver and valued strict justice and truth. However, Aharon, whose role was not that of a judge, was a lover of peace and a pursuer of peace, and he would apply peace between one person and the other. Ben Yehoyada here notes that the Hebrew word used here, “pursuer of peace,” is more ambiguous sounding than the English tran …
Badusa Business: When Brilliance Goes Too Far Zevachim 100 Psychology of the Daf
Author:
December 23rd, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis uses an interesting phrase to reject an opinion of Rav Ashi, “badusa,” which we can translate as “made up.” The connotation is stronger than mistaken, as the root is likely B-D-A (see Melachim I 12:33), but it also may mean “outside,” that is, a teaching that is outside of the accepted chain of transmission. Perhaps a student made a mistake and misquoted Rav Ashi (Shita Mekubetzes Bava Metzia 71b). Some therefo …
Heavenly Consultation Pesachim 33 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 24th, 2020

The Gemara paraphrases a verse from the Book of Daniel (4:14), which the Gemara refers to as G-d’s angels meaning the council of angels, sages.   On this same verse, the Gemara is Sanhedrin (38b) says as follows: Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: At the time that the Holy One, Blessed be He, sought to create a person, He created one group of ministering angels. He said to them: If you agree, let us fashion a person in our image. אמ …
Megillah 14 Last Resort Therapy Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 24th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph observes: ⁦The verse states: “And the king removed his ring from his hand” (Esther 3:10). Rabbi Abba bar Kahana said: The removal of Ahasuerus’s ring for the sealing of Haman’s decree was more effective than the forty-eight prophets and the seven prophetesses who prophesied on behalf of the Jewish people. As, they were all unable to return the Jewish people to the right way, but the removal of Ah …
Megillah 13 Mindfulness and Consequences Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 24th, 2021

  Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us the familiar story of how Rachel and Yaakov planned to prevent him from being swindled by Lavan. They anticipated that Lavan would force Rachel to secretly let him switch her for Leah at the wedding, so they had secret signs. But, as with many plans, it didn’t quite go as they imagined. At the last minute, Rachel had a change of heart and couldn’t allow her sister to be publicly humiliated and r …
Do Not Scapegoat the Leader Bava Kamma 52 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 24th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the legal technicalities of how an acquisition of a flock of sheep is finalized: Reish Lakish says in the name of Rabbi Yannai: With regard to one who sells a flock of sheep to another, once he conveys the mashkukhit to the buyer, he has acquired the flock. But what is this “mashkukhit”? It is referring to the goat that goes at the front of the flock that they follow. The Gemara notes: This explanati …
Loving and Living on Edge of a Sword Sanhedrin 7 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 24th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph relates one of my all-time favorite Talmudic aphorisms: When our love was strong, we could have slept on a bed that was the width of a sword. Now that our love is not strong, a bed of sixty cubits is not big enough for us. The tone of this aphorism is defeated and pessimistic. It seems to reflect the perspective of an older married person who no longer feels the passion that once animated his relationship. However, the Ge …
Soulmates: When Pinchas Became a Cohen Zevachim 101 Psychology of the Daf
Author:
December 24th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis teaches us that unlike the other sons of Elazar, Pinchas did not receive the elevated status of priesthood until after the incident in which he avenged Zimri’s transgressive behavior in cohabiting with the Midianite princess Kuzbi. He was already born before Aharon and his sons (including Pinchas’ father, Elazar) were anointed, so the aura that was passed down to Elazar’s children was not given to Pinchas.We cannot c …
We Only Have What We Give Pesachim 35 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 25th, 2020

We Only Have What We Give - Isabelle Allende There is a wonderful Alshich on the following verse (Devarim 14:25-27) quoted by our Gemara: וְנָתַתָּ֖ה בַּכָּ֑סֶף וְצַרְתָּ֤ הַכֶּ֙סֶף֙ בְּיָ֣דְךָ֔ וְהָֽלַכְתָּ֙ אֶל־הַמָּק֔וֹם אֲשֶׁ֥ר יִבְחַ֛ר יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ בּֽוֹ׃ you may place the money. Wrap up the money in your hands and take …
Relax Exactly BECAUSE You Don’t Have Time Pesachim 34 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 25th, 2020

Pesachim 34 When Ravin ascended to Eretz Yisrael, he stated this halakha of Rav Sheshet before Rabbi Yirmeya. And Rabbi Yirmeya said: Foolish Babylonians! Because you dwell in a dark land, you state halakhot that are dim. כִּי סְלֵיק רָבִין, אַמְרַהּ לִשְׁמַעְתֵּיהּ קַמֵּיהּ דְּרַבִּי יִרְמְיָה, וַאֲמַר: בַּבְלָאֵי טַפְשָׁאֵי, מִשּׁוּם דְּיָת …
Terms and Conditions May Apply Nedarim 61 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 25th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the dispute between Rabbi Yehuda and the Rabbis about if the Yovel Year is part of the next Shemitta Cycle (year one of seven). The rabbis hold that the Yovel year, in a certain sense, is outside of the counting. It is the 50th year but not part of the new cycle.  The Maharal notes in Nesiv HaTorah (1) that there are three mitzvos that have a man made sanctification: (1) Terumos and Maasros (2) Hafrashas Ch …
Shared Responsibility, 100% Bava Kamma 53 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 25th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the opinion of Rabbi Nassan who holds that if two people or agents caused damage, though they split the payment, if one is unable to pay, the other assumes 100% liability. Rabbi Nassan seems to hold that instead of looking at each damager to be 50% responsible, we look at each one as 100% responsible. It just so happens that ordinarily since both can pay the debt, they split the cost. But when one cannot pay, th …
Glad We Thought of It Sanhedrin 8 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 25th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph debates whether Moshe’s statement in Devarim (1:17) reflects a hint of arrogance on his part: “And the cause that is too hard for you, you shall bring to me, and I will hear it.” Rabbi Ḥanina, and some say Rabbi Yoshiya, argues that this statement displayed a degree of presumptuousness. As a result, Moshe was later punished… Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak objects to this critique of Moshe. He points …
Hashem the Cohen: When God Steps In Zevachim 102
Author:
December 25th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph asks: Who ruled over Miriam’s tzoraas, which requires a cohen? It could not be Aharon, because he is her brother, and a close relative cannot make a ruling of tzoraas. The Gemara reflects:“Rather, the Holy One, Blessed be He, bestowed a great honor on Miriam at that time, and said: I Myself am a priest, and I will quarantine her for seven days to see if the shades of leprous marks persist, and I will declare her a lep …
Megillah 15 Did Haman Have Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder? Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 26th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis, based on a verse in the Megillah, tells us that Haman felt no satisfaction in all his wealth and success so long as Mordechai remained defiant and would not bow. This is a common psychological distortion and error that people make. Despite having many successes, they can harp on one particular lacking or failure and blow it up beyond proportion. This can be done internally so as to magnify one’s failures and minimiz …
History, or His Story? Nedarim 62 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 26th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us a harrowing story about Rabbi Tarfon, and how he was mistaken for a thief. In the end, he was released, but only because his captor found out he was the revered Rabbi Tarfon. This itself caused Rabbi Tarfon distress because he derived personal benefit from the crown of the Torah: רַבִּי טַרְפוֹן אַשְׁכְּחֵיהּ הָהוּא גַּבְרָא בִּזְמַן שֶׁהוּקְפְּלוּ ה …
Good, Is Good Enough Bava Kamma 54-55 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 26th, 2023

Our Gemara at the end of Daf 54 into Daf 55 shares a seemingly bizarre dialogue, where a great Rabbi and sage appears to be ignorant of a basic verse in the Ten Commandments: שָׁאַל רַבִּי חֲנִינָא בֶּן עָגֵיל אֶת רַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר אַבָּא: מִפְּנֵי מָה בְּדִבְּרוֹת הָרִאשׁוֹנוֹת לֹא נֶאֱמַר בָּהֶם ״טוֹב״, וּבְדִבְּרוֹת …
Echo Chamber Sanhedrin 9 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 26th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the status of a person’s ability to testify about himself. We have a general rule that close relatives are disqualified from serving as witnesses for each other. Extending this logic, a person is considered his own close relative and, therefore, cannot give testimony about himself. The Maharal (Gur Aryeh, Bereishis 46:15) expands on this idea, offering a profound insight into the role of the opposite gende …
Spiritual Spam Filter Set to High
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 27th, 2019

Spiritual Spam Filter Set to High I think we are so used to getting spiritual “spam” that we filter out important messages. It is a challenge to stay mindful and consciously connected to G-d in our daily routines. Some examples of spiritual spam include making blessings without paying attention, offering serious prayers such as Kaddish or Birkot Hashachar while winding tefilin and folding and unfolding the talit, and studying sacred t …
Pesachim 36 Face Facts Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 27th, 2020

Our Gemara brings a prooftext from the verse in Bereishis (43:34) that describes the gifts that Yosef gave to his brothers, and Binyamin, once they had reconciled: וַיִּשָּׂ֨א מַשְׂאֹ֜ת מֵאֵ֣ת פָּנָיו֮ אֲלֵהֶם֒ וַתֵּ֜רֶב מַשְׂאַ֧ת בִּנְיָמִ֛ן מִמַּשְׂאֹ֥ת כֻּלָּ֖ם חָמֵ֣שׁ יָד֑וֹת וַיִּשְׁתּ֥וּ וַֽיִּשְׁכְּר֖וּ עִ …
Megillah 16 Confirmation Bias Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 27th, 2021

Our Gemara tells us that how Haman reacted when Ahasuerus ordered him to fulfill his idea of the proper way to honor one who the king desires to glorify by parading him around on the king’s horse while wearing the royal garments: “And do so to Mordecai the Jew who sits at the king’s gate, let nothing fail of all that you have spoken” (Esther 6:10). The Gemara explains that when Ahasuerus said to Haman: “And do so to …
An Extra Helping of the Delights of Shabbos Nedarim 63 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 27th, 2022

Our Gemara discusses the ancient Jewish custom of eating garlic Friday night in order to enhance fertility, as it is a Mitzvah Friday night in particular to be intimate (See Ritva). By the way, there is corroborating scientific evidence that Garlic positively affects virility, and in particular cooked garlic. (See Bahrami KH, Mahjor AA, Johary H, Bahrami R, Bahrami A. Comparative study on histopatological and histomorphometric effect of raw and c …
Predictions or Warnings? Bava Kamma 55 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 27th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud discusses a portent in a dream when one sees the word “Hesped” “Eulogy” in a written form: וְאָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי: הָרוֹאֶה הֶסְפֵּד בַּחֲלוֹמוֹ – חָסוּ עָלָיו מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם, וּפְדָאוּהוּ. הָנֵי מִילֵּי בִּכְתָבָא. And Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi says: If one sees a eulo …
The Subtleties of Collective Responsibility Sanhedrin 11 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 27th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph recounts how the sage Shmuel HaKattan took responsibility in order to spare a colleague from public embarrassment: There was an incident involving Rabban Gamliel, who said to the Sages: “Bring me seven of the Sages early tomorrow morning to the loft designated for convening a court to intercalate the year.” He went to the loft early the next morning and found eight Sages there. Rabban Gamliel said: “Who …
Seeing the Divine in the Mundane Sanhedrin 10 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 27th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the scriptural sources for determining the number of judges required to rule on Jewish calendar calculations: The Gemara asks: Corresponding to what was it determined that the intercalation procedure should incorporate these numbers of three, five, and seven judges? …One said: These numbers correspond to the number of Hebrew words in each of the three verses of the priestly benediction (see Bamidbar 6:24&n …
Pesachim 37 Spiritual Ego States Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 28th, 2020

  Our Gemara brings a prooftext from the verse in Vayikra (26:26) that describes the famine-like conditions that would befall the Jewish people if they do not follow in G-d’s ways: בְּשִׁבְרִ֣י לָכֶם֮ מַטֵּה־לֶחֶם֒ וְ֠אָפוּ עֶ֣שֶׂר נָשִׁ֤ים לַחְמְכֶם֙ בְּתַנּ֣וּר אֶחָ֔ד וְהֵשִׁ֥יבוּ לַחְמְכֶ֖ם בַּמִּשְׁקָ֑ל וַאֲכַל …
Megillah 17 Exile Produces Growth Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 28th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us that the events of the years of Yaakov’s life were not recorded explicitly until he arrived in Egypt. Meaning to say, by the other forefathers, their ages are noted at various life events, such as marriages or birthing children. It really is remarkable in its absence as compared to the other Avos. For example (Bereishis 25:20) tells us how old Yitschok was when he married Rivkah. Or Bereishis (21:5) tells u …
Truth in Prayer Nedarim 64 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 28th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses Hashem telling Moshe that he now can return to Egypt, as “Those who have been seeking to kill you are now dead.” Moshe was a wanted man with his picture hanging in the Pitom and Ramses post office, for killing the Egyptian, so this was good news. Moshe had two sons in Midian, Gershom and Eliezer. Gershom named, Ger-Shom, meaning I was a stranger there. And Eliezer, Keyli-Ezri, my God saved me from the …
Overcoming A Sinful Habit Bava Kamma 58 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 28th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the change in liability of an animal that already had been exposed to food that it ate after falling into a garden.  Even if ordinarily the owner might be exempted from paying for what the animal eats if he took ordinary and reasonable measures to prevent it from breaking into another’s property, if this animal comes back to this garden, the owner will still be liable.  The Gemara says that since …
By Any Means Necessary Bava Kamma 56 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 28th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the liability of an owner who left an animal secured in a corral, but also in intense heat. Though the wall of the corral was sturdy, and therefore it was highly improbable that the animal should break out, and even if it did so in an unusual manner such as digging under the wall, we hold the owner liable for the damage the animal caused after it escaped. This ruling is despite the standard position of the Gemar …
Pesachim 38 Put Off Procrastinating Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 29th, 2020

The Gemara brings a prooftext from the verse in Shemos (12:17) about the requirement to guard the matzos during the process of preparation.  And you shall guard the matzot (Exodus 12:17). This verse teaches that one may use only matza that has been guarded from becoming leavened for the purpose of matza, i.e., with the intention of fulfilling one’s obligation of matza with it. ״וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם אֶת הַמַּצּוֹת״ …
Megillah 18 Praising God: How, and Why? Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 29th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph warns of using excessive praise of G-d during prayers:
⁦Rabba bar bar Ḥana said that Rabbi Yoḥanan said: With regard to one who excessively declares the praises of the Holy One, Blessed be He, his fate is to be uprooted from the world, as it appears as if he had exhausted all of God’s praises. As it is stated: “Shall it be told to Him when I speak? If a man says it, he would be swallowed up” …
Traumatic Coping Styles Nedarim 65 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 29th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us the story of how king Tzidkiyahu witnessed Nebuchadnezzar eating a live rabbit. Though he was a cruel despot, apparently, he had his limits and was embarrassed. He therefore made Tzidkiyahu swear that he would not tell of this to anyone else. The secret was too difficult for Tzidkiyahu to bear, and he had his vow annulled by the sages. When Nebuchadnezzar found out, there was not a very happy ending for the sages …
On Loan From God Bava Kamma 57 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 29th, 2023

Our gemara on Amud Beis discusses the four categories of watchmen: The persons who watches for no fee  The person who watches for a fee The person who borrows The person who rents The first three as described in the Torah, and rabbinically derived from various derashos, bear increasing responsibility commensurate with the amount of benefit derived. Thus, the Free Watchman is only liable for neglect, but not theft. While the Hired Watchman …
A Profession will make you a living self-education will make you a fortune Pesachim 11 Psych & the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 2nd, 2020

A Profession will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune. - Jim Rohn The Gemara rejects this contention: There, with regard to a firstborn, it is different, for if he leaves it and does nothing the animal will die, and therefore we say that a person is agitated over his property. In his agitated state he will overlook the details of permitted and prohibited actions and violate a prohibition. Here, however, if he leaves his …
Taanis 21 Earner-Learner or Full-Time Kollel? Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 2nd, 2021

Our Gemara on this daf relates two incidents about people who work for a living, which actually represent contradictory ideas.  On Amud Aleph we learned of two sages, Rabbi Yochanan and Ilfa. They both were in extreme poverty, and at a crisis point, pondered leaving torah study in order to engage in business. Ilfa decides to leave, while Rabbi Yochanan continues to engage in Torah study, obviously with great sacrifice. Years later, we find o …
Reading Between the Lines Nedarim 38 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 2nd, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us that Moshe became wealthy from the remaining material that was hewn from the Luchos.  (Presumably the stone was exceedingly valuable and he sold them as gems.) Ben Yehoyada says that it is ridiculous to take this Aggadah at face value, as even if it mattered to Moshe to be wealthy, why in the world would he commercialize something as special as a stone or gem-like material from God, even if it were leftovers …
Choices, Temperament, and Modern Mythology Bava Basra 160 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 2nd, 2024

Our Gemara on amud beis explains why the rabbis instituted a variation on the typical get (divorcement bill) that required an elaborate process of folds and stitches to complete it. Essentially, it was a delay tactic: The Gemara asks: And what is the reason that the Sages instituted the tied document? The Gemara explains: There was a place where there were many priests, and they were very quick tempered, and they would seek to divorce their wives …
Non-Existence Can Really Mess up Your Plans for the Weekend Zevachim 79
Author:
December 2nd, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the famous practice of Hillel the Elder, which we read in the Haggadah:“When eating the Paschal offering, matza, and bitter herbs on the first night of Passover, he would wrap them all at once and eat them together, because it is stated with regard to the Paschal offering: ‘They shall eat it with matzos and bitter herbs’ (Numbers 9:11), which indicates that these three foods should be eaten together.”The …
Pesachim 39 Sadly, We Can Get Used to Anything Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 30th, 2020

The Gemara tells us that Marror, the bitter herb, mimics the enslavement in Egypt. It started out soft but became harsh. Ritva on the Haggadah explains that the work became gradually more oppressive.  Similarly, the Gemara (Sota 11a) describes the sly way in which the Egyptians convinced the Jews to enter into service: They brought a brick mold and they hung it on the neck of Pharaoh to create the appearance that he was also participating in …
Megillah 19 Motivations for Change Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 30th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph Mentions different parts of the Megillah that we are required to begin reciting, in order to fulfill the obligation of reading megillah:
Beginning from where must a person read the Megilla in order to fulfill his obligation? Rabbi Meir says: He must read all of it. Rabbi Yehuda says: He need read only from “There was a certain Jew” (Esther 2:5). Rabbi Yosei says: From “After these things” (Es …
The Power of Prayer and Torah Together Nedarim 67 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 30th, 2022

On this daf we begin to learn about the relationship between husband and wife, father and daughter, in their ability to sometimes jointly, and sometimes individually, annul vows. A single Na’arah who makes a vow can have it annulled by her fathers say so on the day that he hears about it. If she is an arusa (married via kiddushin but not nisuin, that is not living together as husband and wife and still in her father’s house), the husb …
Stay Calm, and Don’t Jump to Conclusions Nedarim 66 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 30th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us about the Palestinian version of “Amelia Bedelia”: She was a simple but devout woman, and had difficulty comprehending the difference between her husband’s dialect and hers, leading to numerous frustrating encounters. Her husband would make a seemingly simple request, and she would misunderstand his words and give him something else to his great annoyance. Perhaps, she was what we would say today …
Simple Piety Versus Calculated Piety Sanhedrin 13 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 30th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph-Beis recounts the heroic martyrdom of Rabbi Yehuda ben Bava, who defied a Roman decree against ordaining judges, risking his life to ensure the chain of semicha (ordination) originating from Moshe Rabbeinu would not be broken. The Gemara tells the story as follows: “That man will be remembered favorably, and Rabbi Yehuda ben Bava is his name, as had it not been for him… the laws of fines would have ceased to …
Cut to the Core: Kares Chai and the Price of Disconnection Zevachim 107 Psychology of the Daf
Author:
December 30th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph references the 36 prohibitions that incur the heavenly punishment of kares, which literally translates as being cut off, and according to rabbinic tradition, spiritual alienation and a resultant early death. Is there any significance to the number 36?Maase Rokeach (Kodshim, Kerisus 1) provides several numerological insights.
The Gemara Sanhedrin (104a) states:“Rava says that Rabbi Yoḥanan says: For what reason were …
Pesachim 40 Safety Measures Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 31st, 2020

The Gemara mentions a popular saying of their time, “לֵךְ לְךָ אָמְרִינַן נְזִירָא, סְחוֹר סְחוֹר, לְכַרְמָא לָא תִּקְרַב״. Go around, go around, and do not approach the vineyard, they say to the nazirite.” This adage is used countless times in halakhic literature to support the importance of creating safety nets around prohibited item. Just as the Nazir is advised to stay awa …
Megillah 21 Wherever You Go, that’s Where I Will Be Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 31st, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us : ⁦From where is it derived that the teacher should not sit on a couch and teach his disciple while he is sitting on the ground? It is as it is stated: “But as for you, stand here with Me,” (Deuteronomy 5:26–27)  which indicates that the teacher and his disciples should be in the same position. What a wonderful source for the idea that a rebbe should also show a degree of respect for his …
Megillah 20 Affirmative Action Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 31st, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph records a dispute between Rabbi Meir and Rabbi Yehuda if one can fulfill the “recitation” of Shema merely by thinking the words. Rabbi Yehuda in the name of Rabbi Elazar ben Azariah says, no, as the operative word in the Shema is, after all, to listen. Thus, one must say the words loudly enough to hear them. Rabbi Meir holds since the Shema credo indicates that “these words shall be on your heart”, …
Out of Step, But Plenty of Soul Bava Kamma 59 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 31st, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis relates an interesting story about Rabbi Eliezer Ze’eira: Rabbi Eliezer Ze’eira was wearing black shoes, unlike the Jewish custom of that time, and standing in the market of Neharde’a. Officials of the house of the Exilarch found him and said to him: What is different about you that causes you to wear these shoes? He said to them: I am wearing them because I am in mourning over the destruction of the Temp …
Turning Over a New Leaf Sanhedrin 14
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 31st, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses an incident where Rabbi Zeira initially declined to accept Rabbinic ordination out of humility but later changed his mind based on a particular teaching: Rabbi Zeira would habitually hide himself so that they would not ordain him. He did this because Rabbi Elazar said: "Always be obscure and remain alive," meaning the more humble and unknown you make yourself, the longer you will live. However, when Rabbi Zeira …
How Many Details Really Matter Zevachim 108 Psychology of the Daf
Author:
December 31st, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the use of a particular verse regarding the prohibition against offering a sacrifice outside of the Temple. If two people simultaneously lifted and placed limbs on the altar, they are exempted. Apparently, it is necessary for it to be an action by one person in order for it to be considered a form of inappropriate service. The rabbis derive this from the verse in Vayikra (17:8):
“If a man, and a man, of the …
Are You Not Entertained?! Pesachim 12 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 3rd, 2020

In light of Rav Pappa’s statement, the Gemara discusses the topic of mealtimes. The Sages taught in a baraita: Eating in the first hour of the morning is the time of eating for Ludim, who are members of a nation of cannibals, and they are ravenous and in a hurry to eat. The second hour is the time of eating for robbers [listin]. Since they spend the night stealing, they eat early in the morning. The third hour is the time of eating for heir …
Taanis 23 Sleeper Story Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 3rd, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us the story of Choni Hameagel, who fell asleep for seventy years. We find this story with small differences in the Yerushalmi and Midrash Tehilim on Psalm 126. In those versions, it is actually the grandson of Choni. Another distinction in these other versions is that Choni (or his grandson) went into a cave, and we will note more about this later on.  The motif of a person falling asleep for numerous years is …
Taanis 22 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 3rd, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the importance of not inflicting excessive fasting and suffering, despite the importance of repentance and abstention when circumstances call for it: ⁦Rabbi Yosei says: An individual is not permitted to afflict himself by fasting, lest he become too weak to work and be beholden to other people, and those people may not have mercy on him. Rav Yehuda said that Rav said: What is the reason of Rabbi Yosei? It is as …
Sin and Repentance Are Part of the Plan Nedarim 39 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 3rd, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph teaches: שִׁבְעָה דְּבָרִים נִבְרְאוּ קוֹדֶם שֶׁנִּבְרָא הָעוֹלָם, אֵלּוּ הֵן: תּוֹרָה, וּתְשׁוּבָה, גַּן עֵדֶן, וְגֵיהִנָּם, כִּסֵּא הַכָּבוֹד, וּבֵית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ, וּשְׁמוֹ שֶׁל מָשִׁיחַ.  Seven phenomena were created before the world was created, and they are: Tora …
Getting Back on the Wagon Bava Kamma 31 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 3rd, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the liabilities of one who trips, and then another trips on him. Even though there is a dispute about this liability between Rabbi Meir and the Chachamim, all agree that if the person tripped and did not get up within a normal interval, he then becomes liable if someone trips on him. The Aramaic word used in the Gemara is Niskal, which is phonetically and linguistically equivalent to the Hebrew word nichshal, wh …
Scriptural Misappropriation Bava Basra 161 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 3rd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the possibility that a witness might sign a document using his father’s name alone, without his name, as an identifier, much as different sages used symbols as a signature mark such as a fish or a palm branch. While symbols were accepted and plausible as signatory devices, the Gemara concluded that a person would not use his father‘s name as an identifier, as this would be considered disrespectful. (W …
Better to Err by Doing… or by Not Doing? Zevachim 80
Author:
December 3rd, 2025

Our Mishna and Gemara on Amud Aleph discuss a dispute regarding what procedure is appropriate when the blood of an offering that is to be placed on the altar with four placements was mixed with the blood of an offering that is to be placed on the altar with one placement. Do you place the mixed blood on all four corners, or perhaps on only one? Potentially, each choice has a problem. If you place the blood on all four corners, one sacrifice will …
The Sins of the Fathers Pesachim 14 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 4th, 2020

This Gemara quotes an argument based on the simple reading of a verse.  מקרא מלא דיבר הכתוב Sometimes the plainly evident verse becomes a source of halakha, even in later generations. For example, an interesting shaalah was asked to the Noda BeYehuda ( תשובת נודע ביהודה יו״ד א סימן סט).  A person was engaged and after the tenaim the grandfather of the Kallah became an apostate. Since this was co …
What loneliness is more lonely than distrust? Pesachim 13 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 4th, 2020

What loneliness is more lonely than distrust? George Eliot   Likewise, collectors of food for the charity plate, who would collect food in large vessels for the poor to eat, who do not have poor people to whom to distribute the food, sell the food to others and do not sell it to themselves, as it is stated: “And you shall be clear before God and before Israel” (Numbers 32:22). It is not sufficient that a person is without sin in …
With Enemies Like These, Who Needs Friends? Nedarim 40 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 4th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph remarks about the benefit of good friends and the danger of friends of a lower caliber. Good friends will give you the right advice and guide you, such as Na’aman Who is able to take advice from his peers. However bad friends, such as Rechavam’s friends, give poor advice. Rechavam’s friends advised him to take a harsh stand as a new king, demanding even more taxes which led to a rebellion (see Melachim I …
Lights, Candles and Action Bava Kamma 32 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 4th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis describes how the sages would greet the Shabbos: Rabbi Yannai would wrap himself in his tallis and stand at the eve of Shabbos at twilight, saying: Come, bride; come, bride.  Ben Yehoyada comments that the Arizal would recite the greeting three times, corresponding to Chokhma, Bina and Daas. He says this corresponds to the three realms of interaction: Thought, Speech and Action. Since thought is hidden, one of the rec …
Click on Accept Bava Basra 162 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 4th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis rules that the final line in the contract can only be a review of the contents, and cannot serve as evidence of any additional obligations or information. This is a safeguard against fraud, as this makes it difficult for a forger to squeeze in additional information between the bottom line of the contract and the witness’s signatures. Sefer Daf al Saf quotes Sefer Haikarim (IV:40) who uses this to add depth to the cl …
The Blood Never Forgets Its Identity Zevachim 81 Psychology of the Daf
Author:
December 4th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph states a principle that the blood of offerings does not nullify each other even when mixed. If the blood of a firstborn offering was mixed with blood of other sacrificial animals, the blood shall be sacrificed together, as the blood of firstborn offerings is not nullified.
Similar to the Sefas Emes (Acharei Mos) that we discussed on dappim 75 and 76, even mitzvos and rituals of lesser holiness occupy their own distinct …
Taanis 24 (W)Holy Cruel Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 5th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us of some unusually difficult behaviors committed by the sage, Rabbi Yosei from Yokrat. ⁦Rav Ashi said to him: And didn’t the Master sit before and frequent the study hall of Rabbi Yosei from Yokrat? Rabbi Yosei bar Avin said to him: Yes. Rav Ashi said to him: And what is the reason that the Master left him and came here? Rabbi Yosei bar Avin said to him: He is a man who has no mercy on his own son, and no …
Serenity and Instinct Nedarim 41 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 5th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us that fever is both an agent of the Angel of death, i.e., extremely harmful, but at the same time also has health benefits. Ben Yehoyada notes that this aligns with our scientific knowledge in that the fever is the body’s way of fighting infection. The heat from the fever breaks down proteins and also viruses. Obviously, if the fever is too high it’s going to cook the person's internal organs, but at t …
How to Avoid Misinterpretations in Communication Bava Kamma 33 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 5th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph describes the liabilities of an employer whose worker enters his property to collect payments and is bit by his dog. The question of liability revolves around a misunderstanding of the word, “Yes”. Did it mean, “Yes, enter”, or “Yes, I acknowledge your presence at the gate and I will come to greet you.” Regardless of the halakhic outcome, the worker who assumed the homeowner meant, &ldq …
Finding Yourself by Winging it Bava Basra 163 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 5th, 2024

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