Birth Order and Your Lot in Life Horiyos 11 Psychology of the Daf

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September 12th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the relative merits of Lot’s daughters, who for the most part had good intentions, thinking the world had come to an end and only they were left to repopulate the Earth. Nevertheless, the younger one was more modest and chose a name that hinted to her child’s incestuous origins in a veiled manner, as opposed to the older daughter who called her son Moav, which straightforwardly means “from my father.” …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 12th, 2024

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

Reading Between the Lines Kiddushin 30 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 12th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the number of letters in the Torah and reports that the letter vav in the word גחון (Vayikra 11:42) is the midpoint of the Torah in terms of letters, and דרש דרש is the midpoint in terms of words (Vayikra 10:16). Since the word גחון has an even number of letters, the Gemara naturally inquires whether the letter vav belongs to the first half or the second half. Unable to resolve the question, the Ge …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 12th, 2022

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

Beitzah 13 Happily Ever After? Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 12th, 2021

The Gemara on Amud Beis tells us that Rav’s and Rav Chiyya’s wife would prepare cups of peeled barley grains for their husbands. The Gemara cites this as a proof that such an amount is not considered too large as to be processing the food for later instead of impromptu eating on the spot. When it is impromptu, certain leniencies apply in regard to preparing food for Yom Tov, as well as leniencies in tithing.  Since Rav Chiyya was …

Telescopes and Projections Horiyos 10 Psychology of the Daf

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September 11th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph recounts a story where Rabban Gamliel, who frequently journeyed on the sea, was informed by Rabbi Yehoshua about “a star that rises once in seventy years and misleads sailors.”
It is fascinating to note that the Rabbis apparently knew about Halley’s Comet. While this is indeed impressive, it is possible that the Babylonians also knew about Halley’s Comet, as they were sophisticated astronomers. Keep in mind, if …

The Psychology of Intuition and Rashi Bava Basra 78 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 11th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph describes a certain saddle used for women, known as a Kumni, which presumably functioned in a manner that allowed a woman to ride side-saddle and more modestly.  This brings to mind the famous Rashi (Shemos 28:4) that describes the form of the Ephod. The Ephod was one of the garments that the high priest wore, composed of cloth and had the breastplate attached to it. Apparently, there is no explicit teaching about wh …

Going Against the Tide Kiddushin 29 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 11th, 2023

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

Grandiose Charity Kesuvos 67 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 11th, 2022

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

The Principle of Opposites Enantiodromia Eruvin 33 & 34 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 11th, 2020

  רְשׁוּת הַיָּחִיד עוֹלָה עַד לָרָקִיעַ, וְכִי הֵיכִי דְּסָלְקָא לְעֵיל, הָכִי נָמֵי דְּנָחֲתָא לְתַחַת. וְאֶלָּא דְּקָאֵי בִּרְשׁוּת הָרַבִּים. it is obvious, for the private domain ascends to the sky, and just as it ascends upward, so too, it descends downward to the bottom of the pit, even if it is more than ten hand …

Status: Default or Earned? Horiyos 9 Psychology of the Daf

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September 10th, 2025

Our Gemara discusses the unique sin offerings brought by a King and a Cohen Godol. The King brings a male goat and the Cohen Godol brings a bull. These sacrifices are unlike that of a private citizen, who brings a female lamb or goat.
The Gemara also discusses what happens when the Cohen Godol and the King commit a sin subsequent to their reign or appointment. The Cohen Godol still must bring his unique offering and not that of a private citiz …

Money Can’t Buy Everything Bava Basra 77 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 10th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis rules that ein matbeya nikneh be-chalifin coinage cannot be acquired via chalifin (a legal symbol exchange of a minor object, that in Jewish law, affirms an agreement or acquisition of property or goods.) We can intuitively understand why this might be so. Money is symbolic, especially paper money, as it has no intrinsic worth. In ancient times, when a precious metal was used, there was some actual value to the coin, based …

Nipping Quarrels in the Bud Kiddushin 28 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 10th, 2023

In our Gemara on Amud Aleph, there's a crucial warning regarding the consequences of labeling a fellow Jew a "Rasha" (evil person): הָהוּא שַׁמּוֹתֵי מְשַׁמְּתִינַן לֵיהּ! דְּתַנְיָא: הַקּוֹרֵא לַחֲבֵירוֹ…. ״רָשָׁע״ – יוֹרֵד עִמּוֹ לְחַיָּיו! One who calls another a "wicked person" allows the insulted person to harass them in all aspects of l …

Beitzah 12 Don’t Blow Off Shabbos Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 10th, 2021

On Daf 43 of Succos we discussed some of the factors behind the strange practice of not blowing shofar on Rosh Hashana, and that the official reason of lest one carry seems to be only a surface level explanation.  Further in support that the official reason of fear of carrying is not sufficient, The Yismach Moshe (Emor 14) cites our Gemara where it is suggested that Bais Shammai could  hold that carrying in a public domain is forbidden …

Beitzah 11 Every Jew Has One Special Mitzvah Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 10th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us that we cannot assume that a dove will return to its coop if it does not have a line of sight, even if it is within 50 amos.  Thus, even a close-by coop that was around the corner, would not attract the Dove back to its nest. The language of this Gemara is too redolent of derash to be ignored. The Ishbitzer (Beis Yaakov Vayechi 26), citing this Gemara, compares the dove to a Tzaddik, and says that a Tzaddik …

Martyr Matters Eruvin 32 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 10th, 2020

Eruvin 32 בְּמַאי קָמִיפַּלְגִי? רַבִּי סָבַר: נִיחָא לֵיהּ לְחָבֵר דְּלֶעֱבֵיד הוּא אִיסּוּרָא קַלִּילָא וְלָא לֶיעֱבֵד עַם הָאָרֶץ אִיסּוּרָא רַבָּה. וְרַבָּן שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל סָבַר: נִיחָא לֵיהּ לְחָבֵר דְּלֶיעֱבֵד עַם הָאָרֶץ אִיסּו …

Ramping Up Your Efforts Zevachim 26 Psychology of the Daf

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October 9th, 2025

Our Gemara on this daf discusses a dispute regarding if the sprinkling of the blood on the ramp of the altar counts as if it was sprinkled on the altar. The simplest explanation of this dispute is whether the ramp is a separate entity, or part of the altar itself.
What is the spiritual significance of this, and for that matter, what is the significance of the ramp itself? The verse states (Shemos 20:23):
“Do not ascend my altar by st …

Letting Go of Control and Inviting God In Bava Basra 106 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 9th, 2024

Our Gemara references the biblical process by which the different portions of the land Israel was allotted to the tribes via a lottery. There is this theological idea that using a lottery can somehow bring out divine intention and messages. Let us try to understand how this might work.    There are a number of times where a lottery is used by Biblical figures to tap into divine guidance.  For example, Yehoshua used it to help deter …

Independence versus Interdependence Kesuvos 96 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 9th, 2022

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

Forced Interpretation Kesuvos 95 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 9th, 2022

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

Hitting Bottom Kesuvos 85 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 9th, 2022

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

Putting the Jew in Jewelry Kesuvos 63 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 9th, 2022

On this daf we hear about the great sacrifices that Rochel made to support her husband the famous Rabbi Akiva in his study of Torah. As the well-known story goes, Rabbi Akiva was unlettered and unlearned but Rochel saw great character and potential in him. She married him even though her wealthy father disowned her and she endured 24 years of poverty while her husband studied Torah abroad. When she finally sees her husband she throws herself at h …

Do not be a Perfectionist in your Studies Eruvin 67 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 9th, 2020

רַב חִסְדָּא וְרַב שֵׁשֶׁת כִּי פָּגְעִי בַּהֲדֵי הֲדָדֵי — רַב חִסְדָּא מִרַתְעָן שִׂיפְווֹתֵיהּ מִמַּתְנְיָיתָא דְּרַב שֵׁשֶׁת, וְרַב שֵׁשֶׁת מִרְתַע כּוּלֵּיהּ גּוּפֵיהּ מִפִּלְפּוּלֵיהּ דְּרַב חִסְדָּא. The Gemara relates that when Rav Ḥisda and …

Analytic Learners vs. Dynamic Learners Eruvin 66 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 9th, 2020

Eruvin 66 תָּהֵי בַּהּ רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר.  Rabbi Elazar wondered at Rabbi Yoḥanan’s ruling that the Sages had acted well when they rented the gentile’s property on Shabbat and then they renounced their rights to that one, so that at least it would be permitted to use the courtyard.  Tosafos Kesuvos 2b וכל אמורא היה תופס לשונו כמו מגדף בה ר' אבהו (סנהדרין ג: …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 9th, 2020

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

Non-Toxic Intoxication Eruvin 64 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 9th, 2020

  אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: שָׁתָה רְבִיעִית יַיִן — אַל יוֹרֶה. אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן: לָא מְעַלְּיָא הָא שְׁמַעְתָּא, דְּהָא אֲנָא כֹּל כַּמָּה דְּלָא שָׁתֵינָא רְבִיעֵתָא דְּחַמְרָא — לָא צִילָא דַּעְתַּאי. However, Rav Naḥman did not give his a …

Intimacy is not just Sexuality Eruvin 63 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 9th, 2020

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

Make Intentional Space for Holiness in Your Life Eruvin 62 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 9th, 2020

  וְאָמַר רַבִּי חִיָּיא בַּר אַבָּא אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: בֶּן נֹחַ נֶהֱרָג עַל פָּחוֹת מִשָּׁוֶה פְּרוּטָה, וְלֹא נִיתָּן לְהִשָּׁבוֹן. And Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba said that Rabbi Yoḥanan said: A Noahide, i.e., a gentile who stole is executed for his crime, according to the laws applying to Noahides, even if he stole less t …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 9th, 2020

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

Contradictions, Truth and Insults Bava Basra 105 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 8th, 2024

Continuing our study of the Gemara’s approach to contradictory statements, let us review the dispute between Ben Nanes and the Sages. If there is a discrepancy in the statements of a seller, where their first clause indicates approximation, and the second clause indicates specificity, or vice versa, Ben Nanes holds that we follow his last statement and the Sages hold that we choose the more conservative meaning within the contradiction. Tha …

Beitzah 40 Absent Mindedness and Relationships Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 8th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a particular sage, Rav Chana bar Chanilai who was so involved in his studies, that Rav Huna told him his meat was more prone to being under the ban of unknown meat because he would not pay attention to where it was placed and therefore may have been switched with Non Kosher meat. In essence, with all due kavod, Rav Chana bar Chanilai was being called absent-minded. The absent-minded processor archetype is indeed …

Beitzah 39 All’s Well that Ends Well? Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 8th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the wells made for the people from Babylonia who would use them when ascending to Israel for the festivals. These wells are discussed as well in Mishna Nedarim 5:5 and Gemara Bava Kama 50a. The Gemara over there in Bava Kama tells us an interesting story about a sage who was famous for maintaining and digging these wells as a public service: ⁦Having mentioned the deeds of Neḥunya, the Gemara relates that the …

The Anthropology of Pre-Literate Cultures and it's Relation to Mishna Eruvin 60 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 8th, 2020

Eruvin 60 אֲמַר לֵיהּ אַבָּיֵי לְרַב יוֹסֵף: הָא דְּרַבִּי יִצְחָק, גְּמָרָא אוֹ סְבָרָא? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: מַאי נָפְקָא לַן מִינַּהּ? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: גְּמָרָא גְּמוֹר, זְמוֹרְתָּא תְּהֵא?! Abaye said to Rav Yosef: Is that ruling of Rabbi Yitzḥak based on oral tradition or his own logic? Rav Yosef said to him: What …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 7th, 2024

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

Shuda Be The Right Choice Kesuvos 94 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 7th, 2022

How useful is intuition according to Torah philosophy? Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a dispute about two property deeds of sale both with the same date. In such situations where the law is in gridlock, that is there is no reasonable way to resolve a litigation, the Beis Din responds in various ways, depending on factors that we will not discuss in depth right now. The judges may declare that the assets in question be divided equally, which o …

Even God Says Please Kesuvos 93 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 7th, 2022

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

Beitzah 38 Ridicule or Rejoicing? Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 7th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph and Beis tells us of an incident where When Rabbi Abba ascended from Babylonia to Eretz Yisrael, he said: May it be God’s will that I say a statement of halakha that will be accepted by my listeners in Eretz Yisrael, so that I will not be put to shame. In the end, his statements were ridiculed as not being analytically sound.   The Chasam Sofer says Rabbi Abba’s prayer was not granted, as it was with …

Studies in Futility Eruvin 59 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 7th, 2020

אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב נַחְמָן: מַאי טַעְמָא? אִילֵּימָא מִשּׁוּם דִּשְׁכִיחִי גַּבֵּי הַרְמָנָא, מַדְכְּרִי אַהֲדָדֵי — כּוּלְּהוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל נָמֵי בְּצַפְרָא דְּשַׁבְּתָא שְׁכִיחִי גַּבֵּי הֲדָדֵי. אֶלָּא אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן: כְּגוֹן דִּיס …

Does the Cohen Make the Cut? Zevachim 22 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author:

October 6th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis identifies an uncircumcised cohen as unfit for service in the Temple. Rashi says this refers to a person whose brothers died from circumcision, so it is unsafe for him to undergo it. Tosafos (Rabbenu Tam) here and in Yevamos (70a) disagrees. If it is unsafe for him to have a circumcision, he is not penalized. Rabbenu Tam says our Gemara’s case of an unfit uncircumcised cohen refers to one who is technically healthy enoug …

Playing the Field Bava Basra 103 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 6th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes the verse that describes the Biblically mandated process of redeeming a field that one declared hekdesh (consecrating it for the Temple treasury). It is redeemed according to a standardized scale of fifty shekels of silver per an area fit to sow a ḥomer of barley.   Mei HaShiloach (Volume II, Leviticus, Bechukosai) wonders about the purpose of this process. Why would the Torah enshrine a process of the owner …

Grievous Grievances Kesuvos 92 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 6th, 2022

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

Beitzah 37 The Full Benefits Package Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 6th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis draws a distinction between an animal shared by two individuals and a barrel of wine. Each partner may take a portion of the contents of the barrel up to his limit of the techum boundary without being bound by his partner’s techum boundary. Yet partners in an animal cannot do so, and each is bound by the other’s limit. What is the reason for this distinction? The Gemara explains that a live animal cannot be div …

Unqualified Love Eruvin 58 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 6th, 2020

תַּנְיָא, אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן חֲנַנְיָא: אֵין לְךָ שֶׁיָּפֶה לִמְדִידָה יוֹתֵר מִשַּׁלְשְׁלָאוֹת שֶׁל בַּרְזֶל, אֲבָל מַה נַּעֲשֶׂה שֶׁהֲרֵי אָמְרָה תּוֹרָה: ״וּבְיָדוֹ חֶבֶל מִדָּה״. It was taught in a baraita that Rabbi Yehoshua ben Ḥananya said: You have not …

Slach lanu, Mchal lanu, Kapper lanu Zevachim 25 Psychology of the Daf

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October 5th, 2025

Our Gemara on amud aleph references the bowls in the Temple which are used to collect the sacrificial blood, as kafurei zahav, golden bowls, based on the verse in Ezra (1:10). In a play on words they also derive that the lip of the bowls can be used to wipe the sacrificial knife clean, as the root of the Hebrew word kafurei (K-F-R) implies to clean.
The word Hebrew word “kapper” has some interesting etymological roots and is most often ass …

Do Not Let Your Stuff Get in the Way Zevachim 24 Psychology of the Daf

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October 5th, 2025

Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses the requirement that there be no barriers between the priests and the Temple floor, or their hands with the holy utensils. They must perform the service barefooted, and have direct contact. What is the psychological significance of this requirement?
Rav Hirsch (Shemos 3:5) comments on this in relation to Moshe being told to remove his shoes at the burning bush:
“Understand the high destiny of the gr …

Possessed by Possessions Zevachim 23 Psychology of the Daf

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October 5th, 2025

Our gemara on amud aleph discusses the requirement of the Pesach sacrifice to be slaughtered and eaten only from those who registered as part of a group who share in that sacrifice. What is the psychological significance of such a requirement?
The Benei Yisaschar (Nisan 4:4) observes that the Paschal sacrifice takes place in the Spring season, an offering of sheep or goats, a hallmark of material wealth and success, at a time when those who ha …

A Procrastinators Dream and their Spouses nightmare Zevachim 21 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

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October 5th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis describes two separate reminders for the cohanim to begin the service in the Temple: (1) the noise of the wheel machinery that drew the Basin out of the well, and (2) Gevini the crier, who would notify the priests of the beginning of the service.
The Gemara comments that it is acceptable and not overly redundant to utilize two reminders. Rashash (ibid) notes that there is a similar idea expressed in Succah (55a), where …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 5th, 2023

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

Proto-Torah Observance by the Ancients Kiddushin 62 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 5th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis rules that conversion to Judaism requires a Bais Din of three Jewish judges. Conversion without this criterion is not valid. The Gemara (Sotah 12b) tells us that when the daughter of Pharaoh went to the Nile to bathe, she also wanted to cleanse herself of her family's idolatrous practices. We can either understand this to be how she merited to be the adoptive mother of Moshe, or she intuited that a holy destiny awaited her …

Beyond Forgiveness: The Power of Repentance Kiddushin 61 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 5th, 2023

Our Gemara on amud beis raises various proofs to Rabbi Meir's position that legal conditions for them to be binding must have both the positive and negative clause enumerated. Thus, one must state, "If you do X, then I will grant Y." The Gemara raises a question from the verse where God instructs Cain (Bereishis 4:7): הֲל֤וֹא אִם־תֵּיטִיב֙ שְׂאֵ֔ת וְאִם֙ לֹ֣א תֵיטִ֔יב לַפֶּ֖תַח חַטָּ֣א …

Complementarity and Stability in Relationships Kiddushin 60 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 5th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph uses a metaphor to explain a structured legal process, likening it to a row of interleaved bricks. Rashi explains that in a wall of bricks, the second row is staggered so that the end points of each brick in the first row come out in the middle of bricks in the second row. This arrangement enhances stability. Otherwise, if a first brick on the wall's edge becomes loose, it could lead to the entire vertical row of first br …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 5th, 2023

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

The Tiniest Unquantified Amount of Spirituality Kiddushin 58 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 5th, 2023

Our Gemara on amud beis discusses the dictum of Shmuel, which states that in order to release the obligation of Terumah from produce (which is forbidden to eat prior to taking off the Terumah, known as Tevel), even setting aside one grain of wheat for Terumah is sufficient. (Although the Rabbis required 1/60-1/40 as an appropriate gift to the Cohen.) The idea that a small grain of sanctification can accomplish so much becomes a launching point fo …

With Privilege Comes Responsibility Kiddushin 57 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 5th, 2023

In our Gemara on Amud Aleph, Rabbi Akiva's renowned derasha asserts that when the Torah adds ״את״ (es) to the commandment ״אֶת ה׳ אֱלֹהֶיךָ תִּירָא״, it obligates us to fear Torah sages as we fear God. The statement of Rabbi Akiva is that “Es”, comes to add an obligation to fear Torah sages as one fears God. Translating "es" into English is challenging, but it signifies an association, even when it seems obv …

Mixed Motives Kiddushin 56 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 5th, 2023

Our Gemara in Amud Beis uses a derash to derive that mixed species in the vineyard are forbidden to benefit from. בְּכִלְאֵי הַכֶּרֶם מְנָלַן? אָמַר חִזְקִיָּה: אָמַר קְרָא: ״פֶּן תִּקְדַּשׁ״ – פֶּן תּוּקַד אֵשׁ. From where do we derive that one is prohibited from deriving benefit from diverse kinds in a vineyard? Ḥizkiyya said: The verse states: “You s …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 5th, 2023

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

Avoiding Obsessing Over Mitzvos Kiddushin 54 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 5th, 2023

In our Gemara on Amud Aleph, we encounter a compelling argument regarding the use of Temple vestments by a Cohen for personal purposes. The Gemara boldly states: "שֶׁלֹּא נִיתְּנָה תּוֹרָה לְמַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת." "The Torah was not given to the ministering angels." That is to say, since it would be impossible to calculate the precise moment when the service was finished, expecting the Cohen to immediatel …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 5th, 2023

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

Unnatural Responses to Natural Temptations Kiddushin 40 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 5th, 2023

  Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us that if one successfully overcomes a particular temptation to sin, they will merit miraculous salvation. Ben Yehoyada explains that this is "Middah K'neged Middah," a measure for measure response from God. In other words, if we, as individuals, choose to forgo immediate gratification of our natural desires and drives for a higher spiritual purpose, God reciprocates by suspending natural laws and granting u …

Unburdened Kiddushin 31 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 5th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph recounts the famous story of Dama Ben Nesina, serving as an object lesson for the extent to which one should go to honor one's parents. The rabbis visited Dama to purchase precious gems for the Cohen Gadol's breastplate. Unfortunately, the key to the chest containing the gems was safely tucked under his sleeping father's head. Despite being offered an exorbitant sum, Dama refused to wake his father, apparently believing t …

Beitzah 36 The Crushing Price of Indecision Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 5th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us an interesting halakhic story about Abaye and his Rebbe Rabbah: ⁦The Gemara relates: Abaye’s millhouse once developed a leak on Shabbat. Abaye was concerned about the potential damage to the millstones, which were made partly of clay and which would become ruined from the leaking water, and he did not have enough buckets to catch all the water without emptying and refilling them. But the water was unfit fo …

Buried Feelings Bava Basra 102 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 4th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph and Tosafos discuss the restrictions on disinterring and disturbing the dead.   There are various reasons offered for this prohibition. The Gemara later on (154a) implies that exposing the decomposed body to viewing eyes is disrespectful of the body, and the person who once occupied it. Gesher Chaim (26:10), based on a Yerushalmi, rules that even if the body is fully decomposed and so there is no rot, it is inherentl …

Spiritual Standstill Bava Basra 101 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 4th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis tries to figure out how to properly allocate and position the number of graves described in the Mishna, and reconcile it within the stated dimensions of this space. One idea that was considered was that some bodies were buried standing up. The Gemara firmly rejects this as absurd, since this would be a disgraceful manner to lay a corpse. The Gemara declares:   This is like a burial of donkeys and is disrespectful. &nb …

Memory vs. Analytical Skills Kiddushin 52 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 4th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us an interesting story about Rabbi Yehuda’s reaction to Rabbi Meir’s students: The Sages taught: After the death of Rabbi Meir, Rabbi Yehuda said to his students: Do not let the students of Rabbi Meir enter here into our house of study, because they are vexatious [kanteranim]. And they do not come to study Torah, but rather they come to overwhelm me with halakhos. Sumakhos, a student of Rabbi Meir, pushe …

Blessings in de Skies Kesuvos 91 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 4th, 2022

How do you assign value to something that is priceless? As the saying goes though, the best things in life are free. As we discussed in yesterday’s daf, the kesubas benin dichrin is a circumvention of Torah inheritance law designed to encourage the father of the bride to give generous dowries. We also discussed that they only allowed the Kesubas Benin Dichrin clause to be activated when there would be at least one dinar left from the estate …

Inherited Difficulties Kesuvos 90 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 4th, 2022

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

Beitzah 35 A Nagging Problem in Marriage Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 4th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis describes the halakhic status of water dripping into a house from a leaky roof, and if it is permitted to put a pot underneath it to collect the drippings. You sort of can imagine this man’s wife begging him to get the roof fixed before Yom Tov, and him procrastinating. While we are on the subject of leaky roofs and nagging, let us take a look at what Mishley has to say about this: משלי כ״ז:טו דֶּ֣לֶף …

Use It or Lose It Zevachim 20 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

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October 3rd, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph raises a question regarding the lasting effects of the ablution from the waters of the Basin in the Temple:
“Ilfa raises a dilemma: According to the statement of Rabbi Elazar, son of Rabbi Shimon, who says that the disqualification of being left overnight is not determinative with regard to sanctification of the hands and feet, what is the halacha with regard to the water in the Basin? Is it disqualified by being lef …

Hands Down, Feet First Zevachim 19 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

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October 3rd, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis describes the process by which the cohanim performed the required ablutions:
“The Sages taught: How is the mitzvah of sanctification of the hands and feet performed? The priest lays his right hand on top of his right foot, and his left hand on top of his left foot, and sanctifies them with the water flowing from the Basin.
Rabbi Yosei, son of Rabbi Yehuda, says: He lays both his hands one on top of the other, and l …

King Sized Desires Bava Basra 100 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 3rd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis describes the right of a king to appropriate passageways through private property:   The Mishna teaches: A king’s thoroughfare has no maximum measure. The Gemara explains: This is because the halakha is that a king may breach (poretz) the fence of an individual in order to create a thoroughfare for himself, and none may protest his actions.   The Hebrew word for this domain expansion is “poretz” …

Knowledge Versus Wisdom Kiddushin 51 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 3rd, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses an interlude where a sage, named Bar Ahina, explained to Rava how a certain law is derived from a verse. Apparently, this Bar Ahina had a knack for noticing scriptural derivations as we see in a different Gemara (Sotah 39b) that once again, Bar Ahina helps Rava understand a scriptural derivation.  Akeidas Yitschok (65:1) uses this relationship as an object lesson from the dictum, “Who is a wise man? O …

Emotional Amnesty Kesuvos 89 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 3rd, 2022

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

Beitzah 34 Completely Faithful Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 3rd, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis considers oneg shabbos, the delight of shabbos to be an essential factor even so far as making unprocessed produce considered complete and obligated in maaser, when ordinarily it would be considered exempt. The Shita Mekubetzes explains that the gravitas of shabbos itself, and that you are choosing to enjoy it on shabbos,  somehow makes the produce complete even if not actually fully processed. This corresponds well w …

Cold Front: The Northern Exposure of the Yetzer Hara Zevachim 48 Psychology of the Daf

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October 31st, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis notes that while most sin offerings are slaughtered to the north (tzafon) of the Altar, the chattas Nachshon—the sacrifices offered by the princes during the inauguration of the Mishkan—is not. Rashi explains that this is because the chattas Nachshon was not for any particular sin.Though Rashi does not explain why, we see a link between the North side of the Temple courtyard and sin offerings. How does the North come t …

Mindless Offerings: Study on Autopilot Zevachim 47 Psychology of the Daf

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October 31st, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the principle of misasek (performing an act without any awareness that one is doing so) as it applies to sacrifices. If one slaughtered an offering without intending to perform the act of slaughter at all, but rather inadvertently while occupied with other matters, the offering is disqualified.A sacrifice, by definition, is a devotional act toward God; therefore, it’s logical that if the sacrifice—or any asp …

Repentance or Return? Bava Basra 128 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 31st, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses a situation in which a witness observed an event while mentally competent, then lost his sanity, and later returned to compos mentis. One might think that since there was a period when his thinking was compromised, even if he seems restored, perhaps some aspect of his memory or thought remains distorted. This could be compared to reassembling a complex piece of machinery and finding a few parts left over on the …

Maternal and Paternal Attachment Kiddushin 79 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 31st, 2023

In our Gemara on Amud Beis, there's an intriguing phrase used to describe young children's attachment to their mother: כרוכים אחריה, which I would translate as "wrapped up with her and following behind her." Rashi here employs a word that literally translates as attached, נדבקין. The Gemara in Shabbos (141b) uses a different idiom to describe paternal attachment: געגועים, which translates as "pinings or longings" and is li …

Completely Human and Incomplete Nedarim 6 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 31st, 2022

Honest acceptance of a limitation brings a person closer to transcending the limitation than stubbornly denying that there is one.  On a psychological level this is because we cannot work and grow to the fullest extent if we defensively deny the problem.   On a spiritual level, when we take things as far as we can, and then we give it over to God, He will close the gaps for us.  But if we just keep thinking, “I’m f …

Rosh Hashanah 23 Blues Moon Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 31st, 2021

Our Gemara and Mishna on Amud Beis tells us that the superfluous pairs of witnesses for the new moon were still asked questions about what they observed in order that they not feel unappreciated, and they came for no reason. The Gemara uses the phrase כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יֵצְאוּ בְּפַחֵי נֶפֶשׁ, that the witnesses should not leave disappointed. How do we translate פחי נפש? From the context of several Gemaras, fo …

When the Holy Charge Is Discharged Zevachim 46 Psychology of the Daf

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October 30th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph explains a general rule regarding the sanctification of sacrificial material and when it is subject to me’ilah (being violated when used for a profane, secular purpose or benefit). The Gemara declares: “There is no item whose mitzvah has been performed that is still subject to the prohibition of misusing consecrated property.”The idea is that sacrificial material remains in a sacred state up until the time the ritua …

Alternate Halachic Universe Bava Basra 127 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 30th, 2024

On our daf, we observe the great respect held for the concept of inheritance, particularly in regard to the firstborn. While generally, a person may stipulate whatever he pleases concerning his property, the restrictions are stricter regarding the firstborn’s inheritance. This is evident in the sugyos of the previous and upcoming dappim. For example, a father has the special power to identify his firstborn, waiving ordinary evidentiary requ …

The Power of Repair Kiddushin 78 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 30th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis references the principle that only kings from the Davidic lineage were granted the privilege of sitting in the courtyard of the Temple. Most rishonim hold that this is a Torah law (halakha Lemoshe Misinai, see Rashi Sanhedrin 101b), and no other prominent figure is granted this same privilege. The simple explanation is that a divinely ordained monarchy symbolizes God's glory on Earth and, as such, deserves a similar degree …

The Silent Treatment Nedarim 5 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 30th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph describes various oaths people make, apparently in anger to forswear social contact with another person. Silent Treatment is a human behavior that has been used throughout history to express discontent and shun others. Let us study this phenomenon. According to researchers Agarwal and Prakash (“Psychological Costs and Benefits of Using Silent Treatment”, Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Science Vol …

The Rambam Diet Eruvin 83 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 30th, 2020

The Rambam Diet דכתיב והעומר עשירית האיפה הוא מכאן אמרו שבעה רבעים קמח ועוד חייבת בחלה שהן ששה של ירושלמית שהן חמשה של ציפורי The Gemara responds: The Torah states that the manna, the dough of the wilderness, was “an omer a head” (Exodus 16:16). A later verse elaborates on that measure, as it is written: “And an omer is the tenth part of an …

Don’t Rush a Child to Grow Up Eruvin 82 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 30th, 2020

Eruvin 82 ותנן נמי גבי סוכה כי האי גוונא קטן שאין צריך לאמו חייב בסוכה And we also learned a similar halakha in a mishna with regard to a sukka: A child who does not need his mother is obligated in the mitzvah of sukkah by rabbinical law, so that he will be trained in the observance of mitzvot. והוינן בה ואיזהו קטן שאין צריך לאמו אמרי דבי רבי ינאי כל שנ …

Sober Reflections Zevachim 18 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

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October 2nd, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses Rav’s reluctance to teach publicly after drinking even a small amount of wine:“Rav would not place an interpreter before him, i.e., he would not lecture in public, from the time that he drank wine on one Festival day until the other, the second Festival day, due to drunkenness.”
The Gemara in Kerisus (13b) raises an obvious question: Let Rav teach his lecture, but not issue specific halachic rulings, or …

Seeing Ourselves Reflected in Others Bava Basra 99 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 2nd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud aleph discusses contradictory verses regarding where the Cherubs on the Holy Ark faced, acting as a bellwether of God’s pleasure or disappointment with the Jewish nation:    How were the cherubs standing? Rabbi Yoḥanan and Rabbi Elazar disagree about this. One says: Their faces were turned one toward the other. And one says: Their faces were turned toward the House, i.e., the Sanctuary. The Gemara asks: But ac …

Religion Without Resentment Kiddushin 50 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 2nd, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses that when someone prefers to bring an offering, if he wants to reneg, the Jewish court compels him to fulfill his pledge. However, since the verse (Vayikra 1:3) implies that it is brought with his will and intention, we force him until he verbalizes that he is “agreeing” and “wants” to bring the sacrifice. This is an interesting psychological domain of religious worship. On the one hand, …

Without Safety There is No Intimacy Kesuvos 88 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 2nd, 2022

What are some of the psychological functions of the kesuba?  We saw earlier in Psychology of the Daf (Kesuvos 82) that financial security is important for the woman to feel safe in the marriage. Our Gemara on Amud Aleph considers that a special allowance is made for a widow in that she can collect payment of her kesuba from her husband’s possessions even if he is not present. Or as discussed on 84a, the ability of the widow to collect …

Have a Heart! Eruvin 57 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 2nd, 2020

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

Yin and Yang Eruvin 56 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 2nd, 2020

  אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: אֵין תְּקוּפַת נִיסָן נוֹפֶלֶת אֶלָּא בְּאַרְבָּעָה רִבְעֵי הַיּוֹם, אוֹ בִּתְחִלַּת הַיּוֹם אוֹ בִּתְחִלַּת הַלַּיְלָה, אוֹ בַּחֲצִי הַיּוֹם אוֹ בַּחֲצִי הַלַּיְלָה. On the topic of the previous discussion with regard to calculating the directions of the world based …

Wherever You Go, That's where You'll Be Eruvin 55 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 2nd, 2020

  רָבָא אָמַר: ״לֹא בַשָּׁמַיִם הִיא״ — לֹא תִּמָּצֵא בְּמִי שֶׁמַּגְבִּיהַּ דַּעְתּוֹ עָלֶיהָ כַּשָּׁמַיִם, וְלֹא תִּמָּצֵא בְּמִי שֶׁמַּרְחִיב דַּעְתּוֹ עָלֶיהָ כַּיָּם. Expounding the verse differently, Rava said: “It is not in heaven” means that Torah is not to be found in som …

Be a Patient Teacher Eruvin 54 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 2nd, 2020

  רַבִּי פְּרִידָא הֲוָה לֵיהּ הָהוּא תַּלְמִידָא דַּהֲוָה תָּנֵי לֵיהּ אַרְבַּע מְאָה זִימְנֵי וְגָמַר. יוֹמָא חַד בַּעְיוּהּ לְמִלְּתָא דְמִצְוָה. תְּנָא לֵיהּ וְלָא גְּמַר. Having discussed the importance of reviewing one’s Torah study, the Gemara relates that Rabbi Perida had a certain …

Torah for its Own Sake Zevachim 45 Psychology of the Daf

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October 29th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph records that Rava objects to the issuance of a halachic ruling about sacrifices that would only become relevant once the Beis HaMikdash is rebuilt in the times of Mashiach.Abaye asks incredulously: If that is a concern, let the tanna not teach all the halachos of the slaughter of sacrificial animals, as it is entirely a halacha for the messianic period! Rather, one studies these halachos to delve into Torah and receive re …

A Spitting Image of the Father Bava Basra 126 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 29th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud beis discusses a paranormal method used to determine whether a child is the firstborn of the mother or the father. This has significant halachic implications, as only the natural firstborn of the father inherits a double portion, regardless of the mother's previous birthing history (Shulchan Aruch 277:8).   It is taught as a tradition that the saliva of a father's firstborn can heal a specific ailment, whereas the saliva o …

Filling the Empty Space Kiddushin 77 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 29th, 2023

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

Rosh Hashanah 22 Gambling with Addictive Behaviors Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 29th, 2021

  The Mishna on Amud Aleph tells us: MISHNA: The following are unfit to give testimony, as they are considered thieves and robbers: One who plays with dice [kubbiyya] or other games of chance for money; and those who lend money with interest; and those who race pigeons and place wagers on the outcome; The Gemara Sanhedrin (24b) offers reasons for why a career gambler is unfit as a witness, one of them is that he is not engaged in socially re …

Rosh Hashanah 21 Mends Justifying the Means Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 29th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses an important psychological and halakhic principle:  נמצא אתה מכשילן לעתיד לבא If you take a certain action now, you will cause them to stumble in the future. This reasoning applied to the case of the 40 pairs of witnesses who came to testify about sighting the new Moon. Even though technically we allow them to violate the techum boundary for this mitzvah, Rabbi Akiva detained them since …

Half-Baked Arguments Eruvin 81 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 29th, 2020

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

Cultivating the Sacred Routine Zevachim 44 Psychology of the Daf

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October 28th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses some of the qualities of the Cohen Godol’s daily mincha offering. Unlike most meal offerings, no portion is consumed by the Cohen, as it is fully offered as a sacrifice.Sefer Hachinuch (137) explains a possible reason for this uniqueness. If the Cohen were to eat from it, it would feel more routine—part of his daily eating habit—and would lose its sense of being a special devotional act.I wonder, if so, wh …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 28th, 2024

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

Hair Splitting Discussion Nedarim 4 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 28th, 2022

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

The Torah Speaks in the Vernacular Nedarim 3 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 28th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses an exegetical principle, דִּבְּרָה תוֹרָה כִלְשׁוֹן בְּנֵי אָדָם The Torah speaks in the language of men.  That is to say, sometimes there can be extra verbiage if it adds to poetic value or is part of how people use idioms.  This is an obvious point, as in order for the Torah to be comprehensible and even objectively pleasant, it must use phrases that are generally u …

Rosh Hashanah 20 Seeing is Beloving Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 28th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph asks, if you say that the Adar immediately preceding Nisan is always 29 days, why should they desecrate Shabbos for witnesses to travel, as the court can calculate the time of the New Moon without witnesses? The Gemara answers: Because it is a mitzvah to sanctify the New Moon on the basis of the testimony of witnesses who actually saw the new moon and not rely on calculations or established practices,מִצְוָה לְק …

The Sins of the Fathers Eruvin 80 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 28th, 2020

The Sins of the Fathers אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַבִּי זֵירָא לְרַבִּי יַעֲקֹב (בְּרֵיהּ) דְּבַת יַעֲקֹב Rashi: בריה דבת יעקב - אביו לא היה הגון לפיכך לא הזכירו: Rashi tells us that this Amora was called “Yaakov Son of the Daughter of Yaakov” because his father was not fitting to mention. We cannot know what crimes his father committed but it is inspiri …

Book Review: Modern Man in Search of a Soul by Carl Gustav Jung

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 28th, 2019

Carl Gustav Jung was originally a student of Freud, but it was in matters of religion and spirituality that he began to differ, and eventually broke away from his teacher and mentor. Jung was keenly interested in religion and spiritual process and how they related to his empirical studies of psychology.  Jung’s Analytical Psychology provides a superb foundation for developing a religion-friendly psychological approach.   Like Freu …

Everyone Together Under the Law Zevachim 40

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October 27th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the log of oil offered by the metzora (a log is a Biblical measure approximately equal to six eggs; see Bartenura, Mishnah Eduyos 1:2). This was one of the eight subsidies of sacred foods given to the kohanim.
Continuing the theme from yesterday’s daf and blogpost zavachim 42, the Maaseh Rokeach (Seder Moed, Yoma) explains that the eight sprinklings of blood in the Holy of Holies from the kohen gadol’s bu …

Everyone Together Under the Law Zevachim 43

Author:

October 27th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the log of oil offered by the metzora (a log is a Biblical measure approximately equal to six eggs; see Bartenura, Mishnah Eduyos 1:2). This was one of the eight subsidies of sacred foods given to the kohanim.
Continuing the theme from yesterday’s daf and blogpost zavachim 42, the Maaseh Rokeach (Seder Moed, Yoma) explains that the eight sprinklings of blood in the Holy of Holies from the kohen gadol’s bu …

The Impact of Shame and Diminishment Kiddushin 76 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 27th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis describes a rivalry between two sages regarding who would hold a public office. Rav Ada Bar Ahava ruled that they should split their duties, with one in charge of spiritual affairs and the other responsible for civic matters. Rav Dovid Sperber (Afarkasta D'Anya, YD 126) used this Gemara as a basis to reject a proposal for two rabbis to serve as the chief rabbi of a city. He referenced Rav Ada Bar Ahava's stance against "tw …

You Can Take the Boy Out of Midian But You Can’t Take Midian Out of the Boy Kiddushin 75 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 27th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a dispute regarding how long it takes for a convert to be seen by the community as a regular member of the tribe, which has halakhic implications in terms of how many generations would be allowed to marry a mamzer. If the community thought of the convert as purely Jewish, it would be maris ayin (the appearance of sin), as a full member of the tribe may not marry a mamzer. Some say it takes until people no longer …

Deep Understanding Nedarim 2 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 27th, 2022

The Ran (“U-shevuous”) on Amud Aleph uses an interesting phrase, לא ירדתי לסוף דעתו which literally means, “I was not able to descend into his understanding (or opinion)”, in other words, “I couldn't understand his reasoning”.  It is interesting to use the word descend when it comes to understanding.  Actually, a similar but opposite phrase is used in Midrashic literature (for example, …

Rosh Hashanah 19 Mommy Issues Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 27th, 2021

The Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us a historical incident when the government issued a decree forbidding Jews from Torah study, Shabbos and Bris Milah. The rabbis consulted with a certain matron [matronisa] whom all the prominent men of Rome would visit regularly, thinking that she would know how to annul the decree.  She said to them as follows: Come and cry out [hafgginu] at night in the streets and markets. They went and cried out at night, …

The Importance of a Secret Eruvin 79 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 27th, 2020

The Importance of a Secret  This Gemara tells over several teachings in the names of the סבי דפומבדיתא Who are the סבי דפומבדיתא, the Elders of Pumbeditha? סנהדרין י״ז, ב סבי דפומבדיתא רב יהודה ורב עינא The phrase: The Elders of Pumbedita, is referring to Rav Yehuda and Rav Eina The Gemara Chagigah 13a tells us an interesting story about the סבי דפומבדיתא רב יוסף …

Endearing Distinctions Zevachim 42

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October 26th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis relates a dispute about the total number of blood sprinklings from the bull and goat during the Yom Kippur service—43, 47, or 48—in the various sections of the sanctuary and the altar. The difference depends on whether the High Priest mixes the blood of the bull and goat before placing it on the corners of the inner altar, or places each separately. The additional 48th sprinkling depends on whether the pouring of the b …

Taking in the Flow Kiddushin 74 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 26th, 2023

Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses a legal process that seems odd and unfair. In certain situations, where there is strong compelling evidence on both sides and no hope to further clarify, the judges may arbitrarily decide to eddie in favor of one petitioner over the other. For example, Kesuvos (85b) deals with a case where a man’s deathbed wishes are to give his possessions to Tuvia. The problem is, there are two people named “Tuvia& …

Personal Touch Kesuvos 112 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 26th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us about the various ways the sages expressed their love for the Land of Israel: רַבִּי אַבָּא מְנַשֵּׁק כֵּיפֵי דְעַכּוֹ. רַבִּי חֲנִינָא מְתַקֵּן מַתְקָלַיָּה Rabbi Abba would kiss the rocks of Akko, which was on the coast of Eretz Yisrael. Rabbi Ḥanina would repair its stumbling blocks, i.e., any potholes in the land, so that travelers would …

Rosh Hashanah 18 Can Torah Study Alone Perfect Character? Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 26th, 2021

The Gemara on Amud Aleph speaks about an unusually powerful benefit of Torah study.  It can serve as a merit and protection and obtain forgiveness for sins beyond mere repentance. How does this work? Nefesh HaChayyim (Shaar Dalet) explains in great detail the value of Torah study and why this works.  The goal of every mitzvah is to attach to Hashem, and the goal of repentance is to repair any breaks in the attachment.  Therefore, i …

It’s What is Brought that Counts Eruvin 78 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 26th, 2020

It’s What is Brought that Counts This section of the Gemara discusses a scenario where the ladder or wall giving access was built out of wood from an Asheira Tree. Since an Asheira tree is idolatrous, It is forbidden to derive benefit from the wood. There are many times in the Gemara where this form of idolatry is mentioned. Let us take a closer look to understand the Asheira phenomenon and what was the nature of its prohibition : The first …

Consistent or Too Rigid? Kiddushin 73 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 25th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the interesting halakhic idea of “Kavua.” Regarding most Torah prohibitions, the majority annuls the minority, and the prohibited substance or item is discounted. Yet, there are certain objects or situations where the solidity and fixedness interfere with nullification. The classic example is the “Ten Stores” case, as described in Pesachim (9b): דִּתְנַן: תֵּשַׁע חֲנוּ …

Be Careful What You Wish For Kesuvos 111 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 25th, 2022

Even in the metaphysical world where all things are possible, it can be a bad idea to push too hard. Our Gemara on Amud Aleph, according to one text of Rashi, discusses an “oath” placed upon the Jewish people in exile to abstain from “pushing for the end.” Rashi explains the Jewish people should not force the Mashiach to come via excessive prayer. That is a difficult idea to understand. Can there be too much prayer? And I …

Rosh Hashanah 17 Tephiliphobia Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 25th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discussed a unique problem with those who do not wear tefilin: ⁦There is a category of sin called “sin with the body - Poshei Yisrael Begufan” that has an additional deleterious effects beyond the actual sin, and the punishments and judgements can be more severe. The Gemara tells us for Jews the “sin with the body” is “the skull that does not wear tefillin” and since Gentiles are also …

Stairway to Heaven Eruvin 77 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 25th, 2020

Eruvin 77 This Gemara mentions a סולם המצרי, literally an Egyptian Ladder, which according to the Talmud’s definition is a small ladder which has less than four rungs. What is this Egyptian ladder? Were the Egyptians midgets? The term comes up in only one other place in the Talmud, and that is in Mishna Bava Basra 3:6  סֻלָּם הַמִּצְרִי אֵין לוֹ חֲזָקָה, וְלַצּוֹרִי יֶשׁ לוֹ חֲ …

Loving Distance Zevachim 41

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October 24th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis compares the chattas of the Kohen Gadol and the chattas of the congregation. Certain differences in how the ritual is described in the Torah imply messages about the nature of the sin and the status of the sinner:“The school of Rabbi Yishmael taught: For what reason are the diaphragm and the two kidneys stated with regard to the bull for an unwitting sin of the anointed priest, and they are not explicitly stated with reg …

Cloud Cover Zevachim 40

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October 24th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a halachic requirement for inner sin offerings, such as those brought on Yom Kippur whose blood is sprinkled in the Holy of Holies: if there is a breach in the roof, the service may not be performed.Likkutei Halakhos (Yoreh Deah, Laws of Vows 4) notes that the Succah recalls the Clouds of Glory—the Shekhina that enveloped the Jewish people in the wilderness. This is the same “cloud” that greets the Cohen G …

Reverse the Trend Kiddushin 72 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 24th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph extols the Sages of Babylonia, describing them as "Heavenly Angels." The exile from Israel to Babylonia should theoretically represent a degradation, losing the holiness of the Land of Israel and a further disruption from the centers of learning. Yet, the establishment of Babylonian academies did not lead to decline but actually to spiritual heights. Rav Tzaddok uses this statement to push back against, and modify the tra …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 24th, 2022

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

Rosh Hashanah 16 Don’t Blow Opportunities for Repentance Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 24th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph and Beis asks why we blow shofar both before Musaf, and then during Musaf, when clearly the fulfillment of the Mitzvah only requires one set of blows? The Gemara offers an odd-sounding reason: In order to confuse Satan.  I would say we are the ones that are confused, not Satan. In fact, it’s hard to believe that after all these years, Satan falls for the same trick, like Charlie Brown forever trying to punt the …

Halakha Vs. Common Sense

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 24th, 2018

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

The Sin of the New Level Zevachim 39

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October 23rd, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis deduces that the chattas sacrifice of the festivals and Rosh Chodesh is not for a specific transgression. Though it atones for inadvertent defilement while entering the Beis HaMikdash or eating sacrificial meat in impurity, this is not a specific, known sin (Rosh Hashanah 4b).Kedushas Levi (Likkutim, Parashas Vayera) offers a fascinating peshat, also addressing the difficult aggadah of Avraham taking counsel from Mamreh be …

Check Engine Light Kiddushin 71 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 23rd, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the protocol for reading the Tetragrammaton. Although it is spelled with the letters Yud, Heh, Vav, etc., it is pronounced as Ado--nai. The Yud-Heh, etc., name in Hebrew implies an intrinsic existence that makes itself. The Ado—nai name in Hebrew refers to God as a master or Lord. The duality between the pronunciation, and the word that is seen on the page, represents a fundamental duality and tension in t …

The Lomdishe Sex Abuse Mistakes Eruvin 76 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 23rd, 2020

Lomdus vs. Reality  רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר כִּי דַּיָּינֵי דְקֵיסָרִי, וְאָמְרִי לַהּ כְּרַבָּנַן דְקֵיסָרִי, דְּאָמְרִי: עִיגּוּלָא מִגּוֹ רִיבּוּעָא — רִיבְעָא, רִיבּוּעָא מִגּוֹ עִיגּוּלָא — פַּלְגָא. The Gemara answers: Rabbi Yoḥanan spoke in accordance with the opinion of …

An Empty Vessel Makes a Loud Noise Eruvin 75 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 23rd, 2020

An Empty Vessel Makes a Loud Noise סְתָם גּוֹי, אִי אִיתָא דְּאוֹגַר — מִיפְעָא פָּעֵי. The Gemara answers: This is not so, as a typical gentile, if he had rented out his domain, he would chatter about it, and everyone would know. If he has not talked about it, everyone will assume that he did not rent out his domain. This is an unusual statement, made about 3 times in shas.  How is this princi …

Holy Whip: Penance in the Kodesh HaKodashim Zevachim 38

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October 22nd, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph describes the motion of sprinkling the blood in the Holy of Holies during the Yom Kippur service: the sprinkling was “like a matzlif.” The Gemara explains that Rav Yehuda demonstrated with his hand—it means like one who whips, striking not repeatedly in one place but one lash beneath the other.
The word matzlif alludes to a process similar to lashes with a whip. According to Hon Ashir (Mishnah Yoma 5:3), this is …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 22nd, 2024

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

The Ego Defense of Projection Kiddushin 70 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 22nd, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph states an aphorism from Shmuel, which also has halakhic ramifications as it might cause us to doubt somebody's lineage: "If one habitually claims that others are flawed, he disqualifies himself with his own flaw. The flaw he accuses them of having, is in fact, the one that HE has." This psychological and spiritual process is one of the ego defenses that Freud identified. Briefly, an ego defense is an unconscious psycholog …

Rosh Hashanah 15 Bruised and Desecrated Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 22nd, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us that the Esrog tree is so sensitive, that following the Shemitta year, and having all the people traveling through the orchard and touching the tree to Pick its fruit, it will not produce fruit again until the third year after Shemitta. Mei HaShiloach ( מי שילוח, ליקוטי ש״ס, ראש השנה טו ) comments on this that the Esrog which is destined to be held in the human hand for a mitzvah is …

Rosh Hashanah 14 Renewal Vs. Constancy Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 22nd, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis notes ways in which the Esrog tree is comparable to a fruit tree but also comparable to vegetables, and the implications for laws of tithing. Sod Yesharim (Succos 48) offers a mystical interpretation of this phenomenon.  The Esrog Tree represents a hybrid of qualities. A fruit tree has an advantage in that it is semi permanent and does not wither from season to season, unlike vegetables. Yet vegetables have a quality …

Slave Lives Matter Eruvin 74 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 22nd, 2020

Eruvin 74 וְאַיְבוּת בַּר אִיהִי סָבַר: מְקוֹם פִּיתָּא גָּרֵים. וּשְׁמוּאֵל לְטַעְמֵיהּ דְּאָמַר: מָקוֹם לִינָה גָּרֵים. And Ivut bar Ihi holds that the place where a person eats his bread determines his place of residence. Therefore, he did not consider the synagogue a residence, as the attendant would eat elsewhere, and Ivut bar Ihi thought that Shmu …

Totafos and the Tongues of the World Zevachim 37

Author:

October 21st, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis offers a scriptural source for the four compartments in the tefillin that rest on the head. The Torah uses the word “Totafos,” an unusual term, perhaps translated as a front piece of jewelry, though it lacks a clear etymology. Our Gemara, quoting Rabbi Akiva, sees it as a composite of two words meaning “two,” in two exotic languages. “Tat” in the language of Katfei means two, and “Pat” in the language of Af …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 21st, 2024

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

Objects Are Closer Than They Appear Bava Basra 122 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 21st, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph explains that the tribes measured the value of land in Israel based on its proximity to Jerusalem. The closer the land was to Jerusalem, the more valuable it was considered. This seems logical—land closer to the center of spiritual life would naturally be more desirable.   However, this Gemara appears to contradict a fundamental Jewish ethic known as sechar halicha, the reward for the effort expended in perform …

Rosh Hashanah 13 Not as Easy as Pi Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 21st, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us about one sage that rebukes another for questioning the determinations and measures of the Sages. He says:  Rabbi Zeira said to him: Do I not always tell you that you must not take yourself out of the bounds of the halakha? All the measures of the Sages are like this; they are precise and exact. For example, one who immerses himself in a ritual bath containing forty se’a of water is rendered pure, but …

Daniel's Gambles Eruvin 73 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 21st, 2020

Talmud Eruvin 73 דניאל ב:מט וְדָנִיֵּאל֙ בְּעָ֣א מִן־מַלְכָּ֔א וּמַנִּ֗י עַ֤ל עֲבִֽידְתָּא֙ דִּ֚י מְדִינַ֣ת בָּבֶ֔ל  לְשַׁדְרַ֥ךְ מֵישַׁ֖ךְ וַעֲבֵ֣ד נְג֑וֹ וְדָנִיֵּ֖אל בִּתְרַ֥ע מַלְכָּֽא׃ (פ) At Daniel’s request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to administer the p …

Hitting Rock Bottom Bava Basra 121 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 20th, 2024

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

Jews Should not Wine About Their Fate Bava Basra 120 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 20th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us about Yocheved, Moshe’s mother, who was born “between the walls” during the transition into Egypt. According to one opinion, her birth completed the missing number in the census, allowing us to reach the 70 souls described in Bereishis 46:27, even though the actual count comes to 69.   The Maharal (Gevuros Hashem, Yayin Nesech) explores the significance of the number 70, as well as the fact …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 20th, 2024

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

Repeated Trauma Bava Basra 116 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 20th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph, speaking from a strongly judgmental standpoint, reflects upon the possible implications of somebody who dies without having an heir, and what type of spiritual lacunae brought this situation about:   “God shall hear, and humble them, even He that is enthroned of old, Selah; those that have no exchange, and fear not God” (Psalms 55:20), Rabbi Yoḥanan and Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi each interpret the verse …

Balanced Spiritual Diet Kiddushin 69 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 20th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us that the Bais HaMikdash is the highest spot in the land of Israel, and Israel is the highest land in the world. The Maharal (Be’er Hagolah 6) explains that this height is not referring to a physical height but rather a balance point. Maharal explains that a circle actually has no top or bottom, and since the earth is round, it's absurd to discuss a highest point. Rather, just as the top of a slope represent …

What Makes a Jew Jewish? Kiddushin 68 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 20th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the status of a child born from a Gentile father and Jewish mother. The child is not a halakhic mamzer but is seen to be of inferior lineage and cannot marry into the priestly families.   This would seem to be contradicted by the following verse in Vayikra (24:10):   וַיֵּצֵא֙ בֶּן־אִשָׁ֣ה יִשְׂרְאֵלִ֔ית וְהוּא֙ בֶּן־אִ֣ישׁ מִצְרִ֔י בְּת֖ …

Rosh Hashanah 12 Who by Fire, and Who by Water? Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 20th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us that the fate of the Generation of the Flood came about in response to their behavior: They sinned with boiling heat, and they were punished with boiling heat; and they were punished with the boiling heat of scalding waters. What was the sin of boiling heat?  Presumably the sin of lust, as is implied from Sanhedrin (108b).  Tzidkas HaTzaddik ( צדקת הצדיק ק״ז:א׳ ) makes a point that if you …

BUT...Did You Ask Daas Torah?? Eruvin 72 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 20th, 2020

  וְלִיפְלְגִי בִּמְסִיפָס לְהוֹדִיעֲךָ כֹּחָן דְּבֵית שַׁמַּאי! כֹּחַ דְּהֶיתֵּרָא עָדִיף. The Gemara asks: If they disagreed in both cases, let them disagree in the baraita about a mesifas, and thereby inform you of the strength of Beit Shammai. They are stringent and require a separate contribution to the eiruv for each and every group, even in the case of a me …

Whine About Wine Zevachim 17 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author:

October 1st, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes a series of verses (Vayikra 10:9–11) used as proof texts both to prohibit a cohen from performing the Temple service after drinking wine, and also to forbid a judge or rabbi from rendering a halachic ruling while under its influence:
“Drink no wine or other intoxicant, you or your sons, when you enter the Tent of Meeting, that you may not die. This is a law for all time throughout the ages, for you must disti …

Why Do We Hate that Which We Used to Love? Bava Basra 98 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 1st, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Alephs comments on the relational consequences of arrogance:   One who is haughty is not accepted even by the members of his household, as it is stated: “The haughty man abides not” (Habakkuk 2:5). What does the phrase “abides [yinveh] not” mean? It means that even in his abode [naveh], he is not accepted.   Pesach Einayim wonders: If so, why do we see women who are attracted to a man specifica …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 1st, 2023

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

Beitzah 33 An Absorbent Jew Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 1st, 2021

The  Gemara on Amud Beis uses a common rabbinic term for one who is liable for whipping when violating a biblical injunction, with witnesses and a warning: סוֹפֵג אֶת הָאַרְבָּעִים , which literally means “absorbs the 40 whiplashes”. I am curious about this interesting term to “absorb” the lashes.  Etymologically, the word, סופג absorb is a verb form of the noun ספוג which is a spong …

Beitzah 32 Rules of Power in Marriage Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 1st, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us: There are three whose lives are not lives, and they are as follows: One who looks to the table of others for his sustenance; and one whose wife rules over him; and one whose body is ruled by suffering.  Ben Yehoyada says the main issue of concern regarding “letting one’s wife rule over him”, is relying on your wife for financial support. There is support for his interpretation because the G …

Honest Debate?? Eruvin 51 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 1st, 2020

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

What is the POINT, really? Eruvin 53 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 1st, 2020

  מַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: לִבָּן שֶׁל רִאשׁוֹנִים כְּפִתְחוֹ שֶׁל אוּלָם, וְשֶׁל אַחֲרוֹנִים כְּפִתְחוֹ שֶׁל הֵיכָל, וְאָנוּ — כִּמְלֹא נֶקֶב מַחַט סִידְקִית. Similarly, Rabbi Yoḥanan said: The hearts, i.e., the wisdom, of the early Sages were like the doorway to the Entrance Hall of the Temple, which was twen …

מילי דהספידא על אבי ומורי זכר צדיק לברכה

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 1st, 2017

 מילי דהספידא על אבי ומורי זכר צדיק לברכה מאת: הרב שמחה פוירמן   ביום שלישי, כ״ט אלול תשע״ז הרב חיים יהושע בן אברהם פוירמן סים מלהגיד שיעורו האחרון בישיבה אוניברסיטי, מכון לחינוך ״עזריאלי״. אמר לאחד ממשרתיו, ״חכה לי, שצריך אני לנוח קצת״, ואז יצאה …

The In-“Tents”-ity of the Daughters of Zelophehad Bava Basra 119 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 19th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses how the daughters of Zelophehad received an additional portion of inheritance due to their father, Hepher, who was a firstborn. A firstborn is entitled to two portions of inheritance, but this leads to a halachic question: What type of property could Hepher claim when we have a tradition that a firstborn does not receive a double portion from assets that are not yet in possession? The land of Israel was an asset …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 19th, 2024

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

Universal Matzah Kiddushin 67 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 19th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the status of an Egyptian, who may not intermarry with a Jew, even if converted, until the third generation post-conversion. As the verses (Devarim 23:8) state: לֹֽא־תְתַעֵ֣ב אֲדֹמִ֔י כִּ֥י אָחִ֖יךָ ה֑וּא לֹא־תְתַעֵ֣ב מִצְרִ֔י כִּי־גֵ֖ר הָיִ֥יתָ בְאַרְצֽוֹ׃ You shall not abhor an Edomite, for such is your kin. You shall not ab …

Self-Deception and the Slippery Slope Kiddushin 66 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 18th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us an interesting story about King Yannai, a Hasmonean Jewish king: An incident occurred with King Yannai, who went to the region of Koḥalit in the desert and conquered sixty cities there. And upon his return, he rejoiced with great happiness over his victory. He subsequently summoned all the Sages of the Jewish people and said to them: Our ancestors, in their poverty, would eat salty foods when they were busy wit …

Rosh Hashanah 11 Creative License Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 18th, 2021

Does your soul consent to being born?  Does some part of you choose to enter into a particular body and form of existence at a particular time?  If we do say that is true, then it makes the world seem a lot more fair. We see a person who appears to have physical deformities or illness and rightfully notice suffering in this world.  But, what if the person’s soul CHOSE to occupy that body at that time, for some reason that the …

Rosh Hashanah 10 Tree-sonous Actions Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 18th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis references the famous rabbinic dispute about whether the world was created in Tishrei or in Nissan.  Of course, many have asked how can there be a dispute about a historical fact, and we shall shortly discuss some answers offered by Rishonim and mystics, and their deeper meanings. Before I do that, I feel compelled to point out how the question itself only comes from a linear western idea that the history portrayed in …

Choral Reef Eruvin 71 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 18th, 2020

  תַּנְיָא, רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בֶּן תַּדַּאי אוֹמֵר: אֶחָד זֶה וְאֶחָד זֶה צְרִיכִין לְעָרֵב. וַאֲפִילּוּ לָזֶה בְּיַיִן וְלָזֶה בְּיַיִן? It was taught in a baraita: Rabbi Eliezer ben Taddai says: In both this case, of wine and wine, and that case, of wine and oil, they must establish an eiruv. The Gemara expresses wonder: Did h …

Heir Conditioner Eruvin 70 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 18th, 2020

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

Nothing and Everything Kiddushin 65 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 17th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph uses an interesting idiom to describe Rav Yehuda's uncertainty about a halakha: "אִין וְלָא וְרַפְיָא בִּידֵיהּ" "Yes and no, and the matter was weak in his hands." The idiom indicates a sense of flux, yes, no, back and forth. The choice of the Aramaic word "אין" "Iyn," which means "Yes," instead of the Aramaic word "Hen," which also means "yes," may just be a matter of dialect. However, Arve …

Standing on Ceremony Bava Basra 115 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 16th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses the primacy of the father in the line of inheritance:   This is the principle: Concerning anyone who precedes another with regard to inheritance, his descendants precede the other as well, and a father who inherits precedes all of his descendants.   The idea of primacy of the father in the line of inheritance also has metaphysical implications. Bais Yaakov (Vayeshev 39:3 and Vayechi 65:1) explains this …

Truth or Compassion Bava Basra 114 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 16th, 2024

Dying Regrets Kiddushin 64 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 16th, 2023

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

Unkept Promises Kesuvos 109 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 16th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a situation where a father-in-law is unable to come up with the funds that he promised for a dowry.  The Mishna uses an unusual idiom: פָשַׁט לוֹ אֶת הָרֶגֶל His father-in-law “stuck his foot out” Rashi offers two peshatim: (1) He sticks out his foot in disrespect. That is to say, “I have no regard for you; clean off my shoes. (2) He says he is broke, sticking out his foo …

In-Sight Kesuvos 108 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 16th, 2022

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

Spousal Abandonment Kesuvos 107 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 16th, 2022

Gemara on Amud Beis discusses various scenarios of abandonment by a husband and/or yavam of a married woman.  Though relatively rare, spousal abandonment seems to be a human behavior that goes back to ancient times.  What are some of the psychological considerations? According to researcher Elaine Brinkley (Smith) (BRINKLEY, E. (1998). The Dynamics of Marital Disintegration. National Undergraduate Research Clearinghouse, 1.): Spousal a …

Gates of Repentance Kesuvos 106 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 16th, 2022

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

Blind Body Connection Kesuvos 105 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 16th, 2022

  Our Gemara on amud aleph, paraphrasing a series of verses, warns that a judge who takes bribes, even merely by accepting flattering actions, will eventually be blinded to the truth, and perhaps become literally blind. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: ״כִּי הַשּׁוֹחַד יְעַוֵּר עֵינֵי חֲכָמִים״, קַל וָחוֹמֶר לַטִּפְּשִׁין. ״וִיסַלֵּף דִּבְרֵי צַדִּיקִים״ …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 16th, 2022

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

An Answer to Prayers Kesuvos 103 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 16th, 2022

There’s a Jewish quip about prayer that I have always disliked, not because it isn’t true, but rather because it’s irritating in its smug self-satisfaction. 
A person complained that he prayed and prayed and God didn’t listen. His rabbi answered, “Who says God didn’t listen? He listened, and the answer was ’No.’” While this might be true, it is cold comfort to one who needed a mirac …

Rosh Hashanah 9 Liberty But Not Libertarianism Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 16th, 2021

Our Gemara quotes the verse that describes the Jubilee year (VaYikra 25:10) וְקִדַּשְׁתֶּ֗ם אֵ֣ת שְׁנַ֤ת הַחֲמִשִּׁים֙ שָׁנָ֔ה וּקְרָאתֶ֥ם דְּר֛וֹר בָּאָ֖רֶץ לְכׇל־יֹשְׁבֶ֑יהָ יוֹבֵ֥ל הִוא֙ תִּהְיֶ֣ה לָכֶ֔ם וְשַׁבְתֶּ֗ם אִ֚ישׁ אֶל־אֲחֻזָּת֔וֹ וְאִ֥ישׁ אֶל־מִשְׁפַּחְתּ֖וֹ …

Duty and the Beast Eruvin 69 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 16th, 2020

  ״מִן הַבְּהֵמָה״ — לְהָבִיא בְּנֵי אָדָם הַדּוֹמִין לִבְהֵמָה. מִכָּאן אָמְרוּ: מְקַבְּלִין קׇרְבָּנוֹת מִפּוֹשְׁעֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, כְּדֵי שֶׁיַּחְזְרוּ בִּתְשׁוּבָה. חוּץ מִן הַמּוּמָר, וְהַמְנַסֵּךְ יַיִן, וְהַמְחַלֵּל שַׁבָּתוֹת בְּפַ …

Sect Education Eruvin 68 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 16th, 2020

  Who are צדוקים ובייתוסים and how are they different? Mishna Avos 1:3 אַנְטִיגְנוֹס אִישׁ סוֹכוֹ קִבֵּל מִשִּׁמְעוֹן הַצַּדִּיק. הוּא הָיָה אוֹמֵר, אַל תִּהְיוּ כַעֲבָדִים הַמְשַׁמְּשִׁין אֶת הָרַב עַל מְנָת לְקַבֵּל פְּרָס, אֶלָּא הֱווּ כַעֲבָדִים הַמְשַׁמְּשִׁ …

Listen To Your Messages Bava Basra 112 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 15th, 2024

Our Gemara on this daf discusses the matter of the daughters of Zelophehad , who brought to Moshe an objection that they should also be allowed to inherit in the Land of Israel, on behalf of their father, who died without male progeny (Bamidbar 27:3-5):   Our father died in the wilderness. He was not one of the faction, Korah’s faction, which banded together against Hashem, but died for his own sin; and he has left no sons. Let not our …

Rosh Hashanah 8 Limbo and Anxiety Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 15th, 2021

There are two interesting Gemaras on this daf that I think illuminate each other. At the top of Amud Beis it states: It is written: “Blow a shofar at the New Moon, at the covered time for our Festival day” (Psalms 81:4). Which is the Festival day ⁦on which the moon is covered, i.e., hidden? You must say that this is Rosh HaShana, which is the only Festival that occurs at the beginning of a month, when the moon cannot be seen.  …

Rosh Hashanah 7 Root for a Cause Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 15th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us that there is an obligation to make sure that Pesach falls out during the spring. Since the Jewish calendar follows the lunar months, a Jewish year is approximately 354 days. In order to keep the Jewish year aligned with seasons, there must be 7 leap years in every 19 Jewish years, adding on a second month of Adar. Elsewhere in Psychology of the Daf (Yoma 65) we discussed the significance of the Jewish Calendar a …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 14th, 2024

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

Erev Yom Tov Madness Kesuvos 102 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 14th, 2022

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

Blended Families Kesuvos 101 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 14th, 2022

Our Mishna on Amud Beis discusses financial arrangements for fathers and stepfathers. Blended families present significant challenges, and sadly, otherwise successful relationships have failed as a result of the conflict between parents and step-children.
According to Walsh (Walsh, W. 1992, Twenty major issues in remarriage families. Journal of Counseling & Development, 70, 709-715) some factors to consider are:
(1) What to call t …

A King-Sized Request Kesuvos 100 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 14th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis mentions a Tanna, Rabbi Elazar ben Parata, and actually his grandfather as well.  I could find nothing to comment on about this daf, so I’ll discuss biographical notes about Rabbi Elazar ben Parata.  He, similar to Rabbi Chaninah ben Tradiyon, was arrested for ”crimes against the state”, the age-old anti-semitic canard against Jews who taught Torah, as teaching subversive treasonous material. Th …

Rosh Hashanah 6 An Offering He Can’t Refuse Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 14th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us: ״וְעָשִׂיתָ״ — אַזְהָרָה לְבֵית דִּין שֶׁיְּעַשּׂוּךְ. לְמָה לִי? מִ״יַּקְרִיב אוֹתוֹ״ נָפְקָא, דְּתַנְיָא: ״יַקְרִיב אוֹתוֹ״ — מְלַמֵּד שֶׁכּוֹפִין אוֹתוֹ. יָכוֹל בְּעַל כׇּרְחוֹ — תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״לִרְצוֹנוֹ״, הָ …

The Power of Repair Attempts Zevachim 29 Psychology of the Daf

Author:

October 13th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph, within the context of of a discussion of various thoughts or actions that could invalidate a sacrifice, wonders if a sacrifice that is delayed also becomes invalidated. What is a delayed sacrifice? If one pledges to offer a sacrifice, it is forbidden to delay past three festivals (Rosh Hashanah 4a.) Although the Gemara rules it is not invalidated, Tosafos finds the question itself difficult. Tosafos wonders why should th …

Throw Away Your OId Toys Bava Basra 113 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 13th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses the finely nuanced meaning of the Hebrew word Yidbku (root=D-V-K) which means to be attached, and how this is used to understand an aspect of inheritance when described in the Torah (Bamidar 36:7,9). One of the prooftexts  used to support that this word means “attached” comes from an iconic verse in Bereishis (2:24), that describes the psychological process of romantic attachment:   Hence a …

Causation, Not Correlation Bava Basra 110 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 13th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph offers advice on how to determine a suitable mate based on lineage:   Rava says: One who marries a woman needs to first examine her brothers so that he will know in advance what character his children will have, as it is stated: “And Aaron took Elisheva, the daughter of Amminadav, the sister of Nahshon” (Exodus 6:23). By inference from that which is stated: “The daughter of Amminadav,” do I no …

We Are All in the Same Boat Kesuvos 99 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 13th, 2022

What is shelichus or agency at its core?  On the one hand, it makes sense that we should be able to appoint another person as an agent to represent us and execute transactions. On the other hand, it is absurd. How can anyone ever really speak for us and stand in our place?  Even more puzzling, how is it that certain mitzvos can be accomplished by agency, and others not?   (Generally, the rule of thumb is that a mitzvah that mu …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 13th, 2021

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

It is the Thought that Counts Zevachim 28 Psychology of the Daf

Author:

October 12th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis continues to discuss the prohibition of improper intentions that can invalidate the sacrifice when thought during the essential services of the sacrifice, such as the slaughtering or sprinkling of the blood. The two basic categories of invalidating intentions are to eat or offer the sacrifice beyond its allowed time, such as from the shelamim sacrifice on day three, or out of its location, such as on non-consecrated g …

A Job Done Too Well Kesuvos 98 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 12th, 2022

One of the famous questions regarding the slavery and oppression of the Jews, and the resulting retribution against the Egyptians is why should Pharaoh be punished for following God’s decree? God tells Avraham that his children will be strangers in a strange land, and serve them for 400 years. Yet in the next verse God assured Avraham that the oppressors will also be judged, and the Jewish people will leave with great wealth (Bereishis 15:1 …

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

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 12th, 2021

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

Gem of Habit Zevachim 36

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October 11th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis uses an interesting phrase to describe a teaching that Rav Dimi bar Chinenah preserved regarding sacrificial laws: “Margelah Be-Pumei.”
Rashi (Sanhedrin 50b and Berachos 17a) explains that it comes from the root R-G-L, similar to regular or habit, meaning it was a teaching that he worked to say over many times in order to remember, because it was outside of the regular beraisa chain.
This phrase appears regarding …

Sealed the Deal with Zeal Zevachim 35

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 11th, 2025

…

Twin Peaks Zevachim 34

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October 11th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis describes the metaphysical procedural link between the twin sacrifices on Yom Kippur—the Azazel scapegoat and the chattas goat whose blood is sprinkled in the Holy of Holies. According to Rabbi Yehuda, if the blood of the goat sacrificed to God spilled from the cup before it was sprinkled, the scapegoat is left to die. Similarly, if the scapegoat died, the blood of the goat sacrificed to God should be spilled, and two ot …

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