True Confessions Yevamos 73 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 19th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the concept of viduy maaser, the “confessional” declaration that all of the tithed produce was not hoarded nor was it misused.   What is the term viduy? The verses in the Torah don’t use it to describe this declaration, and it comes from Chazal. Pashtus, it is just a declaration not really a confession.  The simple reading of the verses sound, if anything, as a declaration that on …

Trojan Dinosaurs Avodah Zara 41 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

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July 29th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph enumerates which statues have indications of idolatry and must be destroyed:
 Any statue holding a staff, bird, or orb symbolizes dominion, indicating it is designated for idolatry.
 The Gemara explains that each item reflects the statue’s supposed divinity, signifying its rule over the world: A staff symbolizes dominion, as the idol rules the entire world, like one rules an animal with a staff. A bird s …

Trigger Warning Psychology of the Daf Eruvin 9

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 18th, 2020

 מָצָא מִין אֶת מִינוֹ וְנֵיעוֹר. The Gemara comments: Yes, it is possible that this is the ruling, for we can say that it has found its own type and been awakened. In other words, as the area within the entranceway is not a defined domain, it doesn’t have the status of an independent domain. Therefore, when it opens into a karmelit, to which it is similar, its status is negated, and it joins with the karmeli …

Trigger Warning: When One Pain Awakens Another Avodah Zara 73 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

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August 22nd, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph continues the discussion regarding nullification of forbidden substances. Another rule emerges: even though an amount sixty times greater can nullify a smaller amount of forbidden substance, if on two different occasions a forbidden substance was poured in—especially if it was prior to the permitted substance—then we look at them as one unit instead of two separate amounts. Therefore, we require sixty times the sum of …

Trickle Down Theory Bava Metzia 117 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 24th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses liabilities between the upper floor residents and the lower floor residents of a home:   הָנְהוּ בֵּי תְרֵי דַּהֲווֹ דָּיְירִי, חַד עִילַּאי וְחַד תַּתַּאי. אִיפְּחִית מַעֲזִיבָה. כִּי מָשֵׁי מַיָּא, עִילַּאי אָזְלִי וּמַזְּקִי לְתַתַּאי. מִי מְתַקֵּן? רַבִּי חִי …

Traumatic Triggers Yevamos 58 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 4th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis mentions the concept of the Gilgul Shavuah, the additional Shavuah.  The Talmud learns from the description of the Sotah ritual whereby the repetition of amens in the ritual (Bamidbar 5:22, “ And she shall say , amen, amen.”) indicates that once she is swearing about her suspected activity post nisuin, other suspicions of adultery from eirusin can also be brought up that she also must swear about. This rul …

Traumatic Coping Styles Nedarim 65 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 29th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us the story of how king Tzidkiyahu witnessed Nebuchadnezzar eating a live rabbit. Though he was a cruel despot, apparently, he had his limits and was embarrassed. He therefore made Tzidkiyahu swear that he would not tell of this to anyone else. The secret was too difficult for Tzidkiyahu to bear, and he had his vow annulled by the sages. When Nebuchadnezzar found out, there was not a very happy ending for the sages …

Trauma Response Kiddushin 24 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 6th, 2023

In our Gemara on Amud Aleph, we explore a question regarding the status of a Canaanite slave who sustains injuries inflicted by his master. If these injuries affect an organ such as an eye, tooth, or other limb, the slave is automatically freed. However, the Gemara delves into a nuanced discussion regarding whether an injury to the slave's ear or eye caused by the master making a loud and frightening noise is considered a direct injury, which wou …

Trauma and the Visual Cortex Eruvin 95 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 12th, 2020

  תַּנָּא דְבֵי מְנַשֶּׁה: ״עַל יָדְךָ״ — זוֹ קִיבּוֹרֶת, ״בֵּין עֵינֶיךָ״ — זוֹ קׇדְקֹד. הֵיכָא? אָמְרִי דְּבֵי רַבִּי יַנַּאי: מְקוֹם שֶׁמּוֹחוֹ שֶׁל תִּינוֹק רוֹפֵס. The Gemara comments: The school of Menashe taught the following. The verse states: “And you shall bind them for a sign on …

Trauma and Tevila

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 10th, 2020

The following guest post is from Chaya Feuerman, LCSW-R: Trauma and Tevila Trauma is subjective and intimate to each person. This discussion will focus on cultivating sensitivity and attunement to trauma suffered by women at the mikvah, in the past, present as well as at the mikvah itself. There is no “antibody” test for trauma, to know by looking at someone, what she has been through, how it has affected her, or how it will in the fu …

Transition Time Kesuvos 47 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 22nd, 2022

There is a known halakhic principle of Tosefes Shabbos, that is one is supposed to accept or bring Shabbos a few minutes earlier.  One of the Lomdishe chakiros discussed is if this addendum to Shabbos is an early start for Shabbos, and essentially Shabbos itself, or is it a special zone to prepare for Shabbos, which is Shabbos-like in quality, but not actually Shabbos. Our Gemara on Amud Aleph implies that a woman can marry on Shabbos and Yo …

Transition Time for Tests Nazir 14 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 6th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses Adar 7, the auspicious day that Moshe was born and passed away. On that day we are also taught that the Manna ceased. Yet the Gemara Kiddushin (38a) tells us that though it stopped on that day, the Jewish people continued to be sustained by the leftovers until the 16th of Nissan. The Gemara similarly tells us that the dough-cakes the Jews took out of Egypt also tasted like the Manna. What is the significance of …

Transgender Persons, Halakhic and Psychological Perspectives

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 6th, 2019

A prominent member of the community, born as an Orthodox male, with a wife and several married and unmarried children, announces to his family and friends that he no longer can live as a man. He tells his community that he has felt all along to be a woman, and finds it unbearable to continue with this charade. He has begun hormonal and surgical treatments, and is now dressing like a woman.   His children, advisors, friends, are stupefied. Th …

Toxic Masculinity? Bava Metzia 39 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 7th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the connotation of the Hebrew word, netisha which translates approximately as, “abandon” or “leave behind”. The Torah (Shemos 23:11) commands that produce be abandoned in the field during the Shemittah year, as no commercial conduct is allowed.    Malbim on this verse notes that though Hebrew has another word for abandon, “Azivah”, the word “Netisha” has …

Toxic Anger and Toxic Waste Bava Kamma 30 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 1st, 2023

Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses practices of the Chassidim Rishonim, a sect of sages who were distinguished by taking upon themselves strict requirements of piety. תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן: חֲסִידִים הָרִאשׁוֹנִים הָיוּ מַצְנִיעִים קוֹצוֹתֵיהֶם וּזְכוּכִיּוֹתֵיהֶם בְּתוֹךְ שְׂדוֹתֵיהֶן, וּמַעֲמִיקִים לָהֶן שְׁלֹשָׁה טְפָ …

Totafos and the Tongues of the World Zevachim 37

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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 …

Torn Between Two Commands Zevachim 94 Psychology of the Daf

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December 17th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a procedural dilemma: We have learned the rule that a garment that has blood of a sin offering sprayed on it must be laundered in the Temple courtyard. What do we do if the garment left the premises and became impure? On the one hand, it is forbidden to bring an impure vessel into the courtyard; on the other hand, there is a directive to cleanse the blood from the garment only in the Temple courtyard. The resolut …

Torch Bearer or Torch Burden? Who’s Serving Whom? Avodah Zarah 11 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 24th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us the remarkable story of Onkelos’s conversion to Judaism and the impact he had on other Roman soldiers and officers. The Caesar sent officers in several attempts to bring Onkelos back and hold him accountable for his possibly treasonous activities. Each group somehow became enamored and awestruck by Onkelos’s theological declarations about the uniqueness of Judaism and God’s relationship with the Jewish peop …

Torah, Wealth, and Leadership: Bridging Spirituality and Social Reality Sanhedrin 36 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 22nd, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph recounts critical figures at particular junctures in Jewish history: “From the days of Moses until the days of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, we do not find unparalleled greatness in Torah knowledge and unparalleled greatness in secular matters, including wealth and high political office, combined in one place, i.e., in a single individual… Rav Adda bar Ahava says: I also say a similar statement, that from the days of …

Torah Study Versus Action Sotah 21 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 19th, 2023

  Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the protective quality of Torah study and mitzvos:  ״כִּי נֵר מִצְוָה וְתוֹרָה אוֹר״, תָּלָה הַכָּתוּב אֶת הַמִּצְוָה בְּנֵר, וְאֶת הַתּוֹרָה בְּאוֹר. אֶת הַמִּצְוָה בְּנֵר, לוֹמַר לָךְ: מָה נֵר אֵינָהּ מְגִינָּה אֶלָּא לְפִי שָׁעָה — אַף מִ …

Torah Prerequisites Bava Metzia 54 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 22nd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis makes a derivation from the word, “veyassaf - he will add”, that the ⅕ penalty for redeeming a consecrated object applies even to a situation of ⅕ on ⅕. This occurs in a case where a consecrated item is redeemed with another consecrated item (now with an additional ⅕). If this item is to be redeemed, he must now add a ⅕ onto this new item, which is effectively ⅕ on ⅕.   Gilyonei Shas (Yevamos …

Torah Mindfulness Sotah 38 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 5th, 2023

The Gemara on Amud Beis tells us that the Cohanim actually are beneficiaries of the very same blessings they pronounce. אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי מִנַּיִן שֶׁהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מִתְאַוֶּה לְבִרְכַּת כֹּהֲנִים שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר וְשָׂמוּ אֶת שְׁמִי עַל בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וַאֲנִי אֲבָרְכֵם …

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 …

Torah and Paradox Bava Metzia 42 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 10th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph makes a number of suggestions regarding money management from a practical and metaphysical point of view.   Rabbi Yitschok advises a person to keep a certain amount of money liquid, presumably, so that he can respond quickly to investment opportunities. He also states that financial blessing is found on matters that are hidden from the eye. Similarly, Rabbi Yishmael says that financial blessings are only found when & …

Torah and Greatness in One Place Gittin 59 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 14th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph describes Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi as a unique combination of Torah knowledge and greatness. While the exact definition of greatness is not fully outlined, it appears to encompass attributes such as wealth, status, prestige, and wisdom. One manifestation of this combination is evident in the special relationship between Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi and a Roman official named Antoninus. The Gemara in Avodah Zara (10b) documents their lo …

Torah Lishmah? Snow Problem! Avodah Zarah 19 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

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July 7th, 2025

Our Gemara makes a profound and surprisingly psychological statement:
“A person can learn Torah only from a place in the Torah that his heart desires…A person should always learn Torah from a place in the Torah that his heart desires.”
The Maharsha notes that one statement says “from a place” while the other says “in a place.” This seemingly minor change indicates that the Gemara refers to two things: the content of the Torah …

Too Strict? Psychology of the Daf Eruvin 6

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 14th, 2020

  וּמִי עָבְדִינַן כִּתְרֵי חוּמְרֵי? וְהָא תַּנְיָא: לְעוֹלָם הֲלָכָה כְּבֵית הִלֵּל, וְהָרוֹצֶה לַעֲשׂוֹת כְּדִבְרֵי בֵּית שַׁמַּאי עוֹשֶׂה, כְּדִבְרֵי בֵּית הִלֵּל עוֹשֶׂה. מִקּוּלֵּי בֵּית שַׁמַּאי וּמִקּוּלֵּי בֵּית הִלֵּל — רָשָׁע. …

Too Much Respect? Nazir 21 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 13th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph mentions the phrase, כְּדֵי שְׁאֵילַת שָׁלוֹם תַּלְמִיד לָרַב the time necessary for a student to inquire after the welfare of his rabbi. The Rishonim (see Shitta Mekubetzes here, Tosafos here 20b “amar ley”, and Gemara Bava Kama 73b) delineate the phrase as, “Peace onto you, my master”.  The nature of this greeting is debated in halakha because of its tone …

Too Hot to Handle Yevamos 24 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 31st, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis establishes a rule:
Converts are not accepted in the days of the Messiah.
The Torah tells us (Shemos 18:1):
Yisro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard all that God had done for Moses and for Israel, God’s people, how God had brought Israel out from Egypt.
Rashi, quoting the Midrash, explains that Yisro heard something specific that triggered him to convert. He heard about t …

Too Holy to Handle Sanhedrin 108 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 4th, 2025

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

Too Hard to Resist Makkos 6 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 14th, 2025

The Torah requires two witnesses to convict someone of a capital crime. Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a scenario: if two witnesses in a capital case observe two separate parts of a sinful act, can they join to be considered one set of witnesses? Rashi explains how this could be, such as if witnesses observed a forbidden sexual intercourse, where one saw the beginning and the other the end. Meaning, the sex act can happen over a period of time …

Too Good to Be True: When Perfect Testimony Raises Red Flags Sanhedrin 40 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 26th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the process of cross-examining witnesses to assess their consistency and credibility: The mishna continues: And afterward, after the court examines the first witness, they bring in the second witness and examine him. If the statements of the witnesses are found to be congruent, the court begins to deliberate the matter. Sefer Daf al Daf recounts an incident where a respected community member was accused of sever …

Too Close for Comfort Zevachim 3

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September 17th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph observes that in Halacha, often that which is similar can be more disruptive than that which is alien. Thus, a chattas offering that is slaughtered with the intention of an Olah offering is rendered invalid, yet a chattas offering that is slaughtered with the intention of eating standard profane food remains a valid chattas. Somehow the thought of a profane food offering is so alien to the chattas that it has no power to …

To the Point: Loving Torah Until Singularity Menachos 18 Psychology of the Daf

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January 29th, 2026

Similar to yesterday’s daf, our Gemara on Amud Aleph uses an interesting idiom for an intense pleasure or specific achievement in Torah: “ad l’achas.” Literally this translates as “until one,” which requires some explanation. Before we go to the commentaries, the impression one gets is something like “until a singularity” or until a unique degree of insight or attainment.
Tosafos (ibid) offers two explanations:(1) The Hebrew wo …

To Study Torah or to Search Torah? Sanhedrin 3 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 20th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph uses an interesting idiom to describe a certain class of uneducated people, “dwellers on the corner.” This idiom is used to refer to a layperson who might still serve as a judge, assuming the other judges are learned. This idiom for an unlearned person is fascinating because idioms typically do not translate well from one language to another, and certainly not from one culture to another. Yet this idiom is rem …

To Pray Like a Newborn Baby Bava Basra 71 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 4th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph continues the sugya of ayin yaffa, that certain sales and/or gifts are done with a generous spirit which implies that certain extras may be included in the sale or gift. As we have seen in other blogposts, the idea of a gift of being given generously with extras also applies to spiritual gifts.   Siach Sarfei Kodesh (Erev Shabbos Kodesh) uses this principal to explain an unusual phrase in the Shabbos morning Amidah. …

To perceive is to Suffer Pesachim 21 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 11th, 2020

To Perceive Is To Suffer - Aristotle The Gemara discusses the directive to support the Ger Toshav by providing him with meat that was rendered Unkosher. A Ger Toshav is a non-Jewish person who accepts upon himself to abide by the Seven Noachide Laws.  As it was taught in a baraita: “You shall not eat of any unslaughtered animal; you may give it to the resident alien who is within your gates, that he may eat it; or you may sell it to a …

To Lead by Force or by Enlightenment? Sanhedrin 5 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 22nd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph characterizes the halachic leadership of Babylonia versus Eretz Yisrael: "The verse states: “The scepter shall not depart from Judah nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet until Shiloh comes” (Genesis 49:10). …“The scepter shall not depart from Judah”; these are the Exilarchs in Babylonia, who are empowered by the government and consequently subjugate the Jewish people as with a s …

To Know, You Must Let Go Bava Basra 80 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 13th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the sale of pigeons produced from a dove coop: The buyer must leave the first pair of doves from the brood for the seller. The reason that an extra pair of doves must be left behind is to ensure that the first brood will not fly away. The Gemara also rules that the buyer must also leave a second pair from the brood of the children. The Gemara questions this logic: If the reason is that she is attached to her dau …

To Find the Truth, the Ball is in Your Court Yevamos 46 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 21st, 2022

Our gemara on amud beis tells us that a convert requires a court of three people to preside over the conversion in order for it to be valid.  Likuttei Halakhos (Yoreh Deah, Laws of Slaves, Chapter 2:12) offers a mystical interpretation for why conversion requires this process.  Below is my best effort to distill and translate his esoteric ideas: The scriptural derivation is that the verse uses the word “Judgment” juxtaposed …

To Allow a Vow Chaggigah 10 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 20th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes the famous teaching of Rav Gidal, that even though ordinarily one should refrain from making oaths, for a Mitzvah it is permitted. Presumably, if one needs to galvanize and commit to a Mitzvah, making an oath is permitted (See Nedarim 7a). There is a fascinating machlokes Rambam And Ramban in Sefer Hamitzvos, Aseh 7. The Rambam states: ⁦That is that He commanded us to swear by His name when it is necessary to rat …

Timing Is Everything: Pesach, Shelamim, and the Window of Redemption Zevachim 8

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September 22nd, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis describes the unique quality of the Pesach sacrifice. The Korban Pesach has a quality similar to that of the sin offering, in that if it is slaughtered with the intention of a different sacrifice it is rendered invalid. Other sacrifices, such as Shelamim and Olah, if they are slaughtered with the intention of a different sacrifice, they are still kosher.
The Korban Pesach has a twist which is different even than the sin …

Time and Space Warps in Chazal Zevachim 87 Psychology of the Daf

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December 10th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the principle that “There is no disqualification of limbs that are left overnight at the top of the altar.” If a limb was left overnight at the top of the altar, the priest may burn it forever — i.e., no matter how much time has passed.Is this rule just a halachic technicality or a sign of something even more spectacular? Tzofnas Pa’aneach (Beshalach 16:33) notes that the jar of Manna which was preserved …

Till Debt do Us Part Bava Basra 139 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 11th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud beis discusses a case of a woman who entered marriage with a prior debt. This Gemara brings to mind a modern phenomenon that can trouble some couples today: one spouse may be shocked to discover, post-marriage, that the other has accrued significant credit card debt. According to one study (Center for Marriage and Family, 2000; Schramm & Lee, 2003), debt brought into marriage is the number one conflict issue for newlyweds. …

Tightly Bound: The Ephod and Breastplate’s Spiritual Synergy Makkos 22 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 30th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the biblical prohibition against removing the breastplate from the ephod. (The ephod is an embroidered garment attached to the breastplate, part of the vestments worn by the high priest.) The verse states: “And the breastplate shall not be separated (yizach) from the ephod” (Shemos 28:28). The Hebrew word yizach is a hapax legomenon, appearing only once in the Torah (Rasag, Introduction to Sefer Hami …

Throwing a Desk at the Rebbe

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 30th, 2017

Throwing a Desk at the Rebbe Hesped for my father, Rabbi Dr. Chaim Feuerman ZT'L (Reprinted from the Jewish Press) On Tuesday evening, September 19, 2017, 29 Elul 5777 Rabbi Dr. Chaim Feuerman finished giving his two classes at Yeshiva University, said “I need to take a few minutes to rest”, and then stopped breathing.  The petira of this giant of a man, on Erev Rosh Hashana has many connotations.  One of the most meaningful …

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 …

Through the Looking Glass Yevamos 49 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 21st, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis describes the qualitative difference between Moshe’s prophecy and other prophets: וָאֶרְאֶה אֶת ה׳״, כִּדְתַנְיָא: כׇּל הַנְּבִיאִים נִסְתַּכְּלוּ בְּאַסְפַּקְלַרְיָא שֶׁאֵינָהּ מְאִירָה, מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּינוּ נִסְתַּכֵּל בְּאַסְפַּקְלַרְיָא הַמְּאִירָה. The Gemara resolves t …

Thoughts vs Actions Makkos 5 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 13th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the famous principle that “eidim zommemim” (perjured witnesses) who testified in a capital case only receive the death penalty if they were caught after the court’s verdict but before the accused was executed. If the accused was executed though, the witnesses do not receive any punishment.   Commentaries have offered various explanations for this seemingly unfair law. Some suggest tha …

This Conversation Is Being Recorded For Quality Assurance Purposes Nedarim 22 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 16th, 2022

In order to halakhically annul a vow, Beis Din must either come up with a reason that you “regretted” having made it, known as “charata”, or that there was a certain circumstance that you were unaware of which, had you known, you would not have vowed, known as “pesach”.  There are nuances to this which we will discuss in upcoming essays (See Shulkhan Arukh YD 228.)  Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us t …

Thinking the Unthinkable Gittin 84 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 8th, 2023

The Gemara on Amud Aleph presents an intriguing dispute between Abaye and Rava concerning the validity of a condition in a get (bill of divorce). If the husband stipulates a condition that is impossible, the Get is valid even when the condition cannot be met. What about a condition that is technically possible but unthinkable,.such as "on the condition that you eat pig meat"? Abaye argues that the get is still valid because the condition is void, …

Things Are Not What They “Seam” Kiddushin 32 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 14th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us an interesting story about Rav Huna, who wanted to test his son and see how patient and respectful he could be, even when provoked. Rav Huna tore silk garments in front of his son to see if he would get angry. The Gemara asks a number of questions regarding the propriety of this challenge, but we will focus on one particular question and answer. The Gemara asks how it is permitted to tear a garment. Is this not a …

These and Those are Words of the Living G-d Psych & the Daf Eruvin 13

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 21st, 2020

Eruvin 13 אָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּא אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: שָׁלֹשׁ שָׁנִים נֶחְלְקוּ בֵּית שַׁמַּאי וּבֵית הִלֵּל, הַלָּלוּ אוֹמְרִים: הֲלָכָה כְּמוֹתֵנוּ, וְהַלָּלוּ אוֹמְרִים: הֲלָכָה כְּמוֹתֵנוּ. יָצְאָה בַּת קוֹל וְאָמְרָה: אֵלּוּ וָאֵלּוּ דִּבְרֵי אֱלֹהִ …

There is Nothing Frummer than Our Yetzer Hora Yevamos 77 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 23rd, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis records an epic dispute that took place regarding King David’s lineage. The dispute revolved around whether the prohibition against marrying a Moabite was limited to males or also included females. King David descended from Ruth, a female Moabite convert. One rationale why the females were not prohibited is the verse states: לֹֽא־יָבֹ֧א עַמּוֹנִ֛י וּמוֹאָבִ֖י בִּקְהַ֣ל ה גּ …

There is No Express Elevator to Teshuva Zevachim 82 Psychology of the Daf

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December 5th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the rule that regular chattas sin offerings and asham sacrifices whose blood is brought into the sanctuary become invalidated. This is in contradistinction to the specific chattas sacrifices whose blood is sprinkled inside the sanctuary, such as the offerings on Yom Kippur and the offerings for certain communal sins.Sefer Daf al Daf explains this as a beautiful metaphor. After repenting, the sinner may presumptu …

There Cannot be Enduring Love Without Respect Kesuvos 50 & 51 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 25th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the upper limit of charity, which is one fifth of earned income. The scriptural proof text comes from Yaakov (Bereishis 28:22), where he pledges to Hashem: “And of all that You shall give me, I will surely give a tenth of it [aser a’asrenu] to You”. The double use of the verb that means to donate one-tenth indicates that Yaakov, who issued this statement, was actually referring to two one-tenth …

There are No Atheists in the Delivery Room Shavuous 40 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 10th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph references one of the key verses in the Torah that discusses the function and guidelines for testimony (Devarim 19:15):

A single witness may not validate against an [accused] party any guilt or  blame for any offense that may be committed; a case can be valid only on the testimony of two witnesses or three.
  The verse could have started from the last half of the verse, stating, “a case ca …

The Zone of Proximal Development Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 155

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 7th, 2020

  As this Gemara addresses the eating habits and needs of different animals I thought to share a lovely aggadah about Dovid Hamelech and leadership. for Video Shiur click here to listen:  Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 155  מדרש תהילים ע״ח ויבן כמו רמים מקדשו. כשהיה דוד רועה את צאן אביו. במזמור כ"ב. לכך ויבן כמו רמים מקדשו. ויבחר בדוד עבדו וי …

The Yetzer Hara Always Has Time Kesuvos 27 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 2nd, 2022

When it comes to certain sins or desires, humans are ingenious and relentless in achieving their goals. An addict could spend hours, overcoming great adversity, planning and plotting to get his or her fix. Halakha recognizes this as well. Our Gemara on Amud Aleph raises a contradiction between our Mishna’s case and a Mishna in Avoda Zara (70b).  Our Mishna teaches us if a city was invaded by a marauding army, women who were married to …

The Worlds Oldest Profession and the Oldest Rationalization Avodah Zarah 63 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

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August 20th, 2025

Our Gemara continues the discussion about Esnan Zonah from the previous Daf. On Amud Aleph, it debates whether the zonah in question is Jewish or gentile. This invites a deeper look: why does the Torah devote attention to the esnan prohibition, when the act itself is already forbidden?
Our Gemara continues the discussion about Esnan Zonah from the previous Daf. On Amud Aleph, it debates whether the zonah in question is Jewish or gentile. Later …

The Woke Bystander Effect Bava Metzia 71 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 9th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph quotes a verse from Chabakuk (1:13):   You whose eyes are too pure to look upon evil, Who cannot countenance wrongdoing. Why do you countenance treachery, and stand by idle while the one in the wrong devours the one in the right?   The prophet is identifying two problematic patterns in human behavior, and suggests that they are related: People tend to act with false righteousness and self-serving piety, too pure …

The Wisdom of Sleeping on a Decision Sanhedrin 17 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 3rd, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph describes the careful safeguards implemented in capital cases. To prevent the court from being carried away by an overly zealous and condemning spirit, an extraordinary safeguard is enacted: if all the judges unanimously vote to convict, the defendant is acquitted: "Rav Kahana says: In a Sanhedrin where all the judges saw fit to convict the defendant in a case of capital law, they acquit him. …It is since it is lea …

The Wicked Son Returns Kesuvos 53 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 28th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the Rabbi’s frowning upon disinheriting a child, even partially, and even if the child is considered a wrongdoer.  The rabbis say, “It is not known what seed will come from him. Perhaps the bad son will father worthy children.” The Agra DeKalla (Bo:52) uses this idea to explain a difficult Midrash.  The Yalkut Shimoni (208) states:  When the verse says, “And so it shall com …

The whole of existence is a process Avodah Zara 3 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 20th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis speaks of the Jewish soul’s need for Torah for basic survival: “And makes people as the fish of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them” (Habakkuk 1:14)? Why are people compared to the fish of the sea? Just as the fish of the sea die immediately once removed from water, so too, when people separate from Torah and mitzvos, they die immediately. This is reminiscent of a Gemara in Berac …

The Weight of Words Shavuous 35 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 5th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses words implying an oath, like kovalni (“I chain you down”). Rashi cites Tehillim (149:8): “Binding their (defeated) nobles in chains of iron (kavlei barzel).” This rare word required a scriptural parallel, and Rashi chose Psalm 149 which uses that word. However, why did he not choose an earlier Psalm 105:18, which describes Yosef’s captivity: “His feet were restricted in chains …

The Weight of a Wasted Prayer Shavuous 37 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 6th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis notes that most gosessim (those imminently dying) do not recover. This sparks debate in poskim: If someone was a goses before Shabbos, can one pray for them on Shabbos, or should one assume they’ve passed, avoiding a prayer that disrupts Shabbos tranquility (Aruch Hashulchan, OC 288:16)? Some argue against praying even during the week without verifying their status, as praying for the impossible (e.g., a deceased per …

The Walking Dead Bava Metzia 95 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 2nd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph uses the following argument to explain the logical equivalence between the borrower’s liability for injury and liability for death. If the Torah teaches that the borrower is liable for the death of the animal, we do not need an additional verse to teach us that he is also liable for injury:   What difference does it make to me if it is entirely killed, and what difference does it make to me if it is partially k …

The Walking Dead Avodah Zara 32 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

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July 20th, 2025

One of the strongest taboos in Judaism is its revulsion of idolatry. Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses another aspect of this intense aversion:
“They joined themselves also unto Baal of Peor, and ate zivchei meisim—the offerings to the dead” (Tehillim 106:28).
Just as a corpse imparts ritual impurity by means of a tent, so too idolatrous offerings impart ritual impurity by means of a tent.
This idiom for idolatrous sacrifices, zivc …

The Waking Dead Sotah 5 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 3rd, 2023

In the Lecha Dodi liturgy that we recite Friday night, which welcomes Shabbos and the redemption, there seems to be an incorrect ordering of these two stanzas: הִתְנַעֲרִי מֵעָפָר קוּמִי, לִבְשִׁי בִּגְדֵי תִפְאַרְתֵּךְ עַמִּי, עַל יַד בֶּן יִשַּׁי בֵּית הַלַּחְמִי, קָרְבָה אֶל נַפְשִׁי גְּאָלָהּ:   Shake the dust off yo …

The Venomous Tongue Bava Kamma 15 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 17th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the status of the snake, and the liability its owners would incur due its tendency to bite.  The damage of “tooth” (what an animal eats) is exempt in the public domain and only obligated if it enters a private domain, because it has a strong desire and benefit from eating, and so the owner is held less liable in the more chaotic, uncontrolled situation of public hustle and bustle.  A snake b …

The Value of intuition Bava Kamma 115 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 25th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the prevailing awareness at that time that vessels with liquid in them left open and unguarded can become contaminated by snake venom, as the snake is attracted to it and might have taken a drink.  The Gemara says it is forbidden to have one’s animal drink from it, and Rashi says perhaps you will slaughter the animal and eat it, thus exposing someone to the poison.   However, this seemingly contra …

The Upside of the Downside Nedarim 55 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 19th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us about the importance of humility in acquiring and maintaining knowledge of Torah. The notable aspect of this description is a cycle of humility, bequest-ascension, entitlement-grandiosity, failure, and then recovery: כֵּיוָן שֶׁעוֹשֶׂה אָדָם אֶת עַצְמוֹ כַּמִּדְבָּר, שֶׁהוּא מוּפְקָר לַכֹּל — תּוֹרָה נִיתְּנָה לוֹ בְּמַ …

The Ups and Downs of Exile Gittin 16 and 17 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 1st, 2023

Our Gemara on 16b and 17a tells us a story about how Rav Yehuda and Rabba visited Rabba bar bar Ḥana when he was unwell.   רַבָּה בַּר בַּר חָנָה חֲלַשׁ, עוּל לְגַבֵּיהּ רַב יְהוּדָה וְרַבָּה, לְשַׁיּוֹלֵי בֵּיהּ. בְּעוֹ מִינֵּיהּ: שְׁנַיִם שֶׁהֵבִיאוּ גֵּט מִמְּדִינַת הַיָּם, צְרִיכִין שֶׁיּ …

The Universe is a Giant Kal V’chomer Zevachim 69 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

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November 21st, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the source for the famous rule of dayo by Kal V’chomer.A Kal V’chomer is the first of the thirteen rules used to derive halachos from the Torah, as per the famous beraisa of Rabbi Yishmael that we recite in the daily morning liturgy. A Kal V’chomer is a logical inference where if a law applies in a lighter situation, surely it must apply in a more severe situation. For example, if speeding incurs a $150 fin …

The Universal Principle Of Risk Reward Ratio Bava Kamma 26 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 28th, 2023

Our Gemara and Mishna on Amud Aleph discuss the idea of Adam Muad Le-Olam: “The legal status of a person is always that of one forewarned. Therefore, whether the damage was unintentional or intentional, whether he was awake while he caused the damage or asleep, whether he blinded another’s eye or broke vessels, he must pay the full cost of the damage.” There is a three-way dispute amongst the Rishonim as to the extent of this li …

The Unforgivable Bava Metzia 14 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 13th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph asserts a principle of human nature that is used to validate numerous halachic presumptions throughout Shas: “A person will not voluntarily waste their money.”   Thus, if there are certain obvious omissions in a contract, we do not assume the person agreed to such unfavorable terms, and we consider if it was written,    In another Gemara Kesuvos (36b) a similar presumption is made regarding a Co …

The Tzitz and Object Relations Menachos 14 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

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January 25th, 2026

Our Gemara discusses the power of the tzitz to render impure matters acceptable for sacrifice, and a discussion of its limitations according to some, such as whether it is limited to material for the altar or even sacrificial food. How do we understand this power of the tzitz, and what lessons does it teach about our nature? Rav Hirsch, whose commentary on Vayikra is spectacular at highlighting the symbolic content of sacrificial rituals, explain …

The Tzaddik Who Inspires Bava Kamma 14 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 15th, 2023

  Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes a verse that serves as the source that payment for damages can come from assessing the value of any movable object that has worth. תָּנָא: ״שָׁוֶה כֶּסֶף״ – מְלַמֵּד שֶׁאֵין בֵּית דִּין נִזְקָקִין אֶלָּא לִנְכָסִים שֶׁיֵּשׁ לָהֶן אַחְרָיוּת. וְהָתַנְיָא: ״יָשִׁיב״ – לְרַבּוֹת …

The Two Dead Drivers Were Both Right Sanhedrin 32 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 17th, 2025

There is an Israeli saying: “The two dead drivers were both right.” Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses situations where it is morally acceptable for Beis Din to seek compromise, even when strict law might dictate different rights. When the verse states, “Justice, justice, shall you follow,” one mention of “justice” refers to judgment, and the other refers to compromise. How is this understood? Consider a scenari …

The Truth that is in the Heart Bava Basra 88 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 20th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the extraordinary integrity of Rabbi Safrah. His standard of honesty was so high, that even if he only resolved in his mind to make a sale at a certain price, he would stick with his inner resolution, despite the buyer revealing that he would be willing to pay more. This kind of practice is considered one of many ways that a person “speaks the truth in his heart.”   The idea of “speaking t …

The True King Psychology of the Daf Yomi Gittin 62

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 17th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a prohibition against excessively friendly greetings toward pagans, such as repeating a blessing of peace, as opposed to merely responding, which would be proper courtesy. However, Rav Kahana seemed to have a different practice: וְאֵין כּוֹפְלִין ״שָׁלוֹם״ לְגוֹי: רַב חִסְדָּא מַקְדֵּים וְיָהֵיב לְהוּ שְׁלָמָא. רַב כָּהֲנָא אֲמ …

The Toxicity of Divorce Threats Gittin 25 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 9th, 2023

In our Gemara on Amud Aleph, we discuss a specific type of incomplete divorce document known as "aroma of a Get" (ריח גט). Although these documents are not legally binding and do not result in a valid divorce, they still have implications. A Cohen, for example, would be prohibited from marrying the woman even though she is not officially divorced. Most Rishonim, except for the Rambam, understood this prohibition to be of biblical origin (see …

The Toxic Trait of Defensiveness Bava Basra 15 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 10th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud beis laments the sad state of affairs during the Biblical Era of the Judges   And further, with regard to Rabbi Elazar’s statement in the baraisa that the generation of the judging of the Judges was one of vanity, Rabbi Yoḥanan says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “And it happened in the days of the judging of the Judges” (Ruth 1:1)? This indicates a generation that judged its judges. If …

The Torah Was Not Given To Ministering Angels Yevamos 19 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 26th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discuss the disputed principle of אפשר או אי אפשר לצמצם that is, if it is possible to discern an exact moment precisely, when it has halakhic ramifications. Such as if two calves were born at the exact same moment from the same cow, would they both become a Bechor, or must we assume that one for sure was born first, we just cannot discern which one. The difference being that if we say we are unsure, monet …

The Torah Speaks Through Us, and in Fact, is Us Bava Metzia 25 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 24th, 2024

  Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses a teaching of Rabbi Yitschok Migdla’ah:   שְׁלֹשָׁה מַטְבְּעוֹת זֶה עַל גַּב זֶה. אָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק מַגְדְּלָאָה: וְהוּא שֶׁעֲשׂוּיִין כְּמִגְדָּלִין. תַּנְיָא נָמֵי הָכִי: מָצָא מָעוֹת מְפוּזָּרוֹת – הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ שֶׁלּוֹ, עֲשׂו …

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 …

The Torah as a Force of Civilization Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 131

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 15th, 2020

The Torah as a Force of Civilization and Social Justice וְמִתְּקִיעָה דְּיוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים לֵיכָּא לְמִיגְמַר — דְּאָמַר מָר: תָּקְעוּ בֵּית דִּין שׁוֹפָר, נִפְטְרוּ עֲבָדִים לְבָתֵּיהֶם וְשָׂדוֹת חוֹזְרוֹת לְבַעֲלֵיהֶן. From the sounding of the shofar of Yom Kippur, the principle that actions that …

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 …

The Three Stages of Providence Sotah 43 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 11th, 2023

  Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the process of announcements made by the Cohen prior to battle, where those persons who may lack courage due to sin or distractions back at home are exempted from the battlefield. The verses state (Devarim 20:3-9): וְאָמַ֤ר אֲלֵהֶם֙ שְׁמַ֣ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אַתֶּ֨ם קְרֵבִ֥ים הַיּ֛וֹם לַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה עַל־אֹיְבֵיכֶ֑ם אַל־יֵ …

The Sun god of the Tiberius Shul Eruvin 101 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 18th, 2020

The Daf Yomi of Eruvin 101b tells us a story about an argument that occurred at the synagogue of Tiberias. There is greater detail about this argument supplied from Gemara Yevamos 96b: אזל ר' אלעזר אמר לשמעתא בי מדרשא ולא אמרה משמיה דר' יוחנן שמע רבי יוחנן איקפד עול לגביה רבי אמי ור' אסי אמרו ליה לא כך היה המעשה בבית הכנסת של טבריא ב …

The Subtleties of Collective Responsibility Sanhedrin 11 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 27th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph recounts how the sage Shmuel HaKattan took responsibility in order to spare a colleague from public embarrassment: There was an incident involving Rabban Gamliel, who said to the Sages: “Bring me seven of the Sages early tomorrow morning to the loft designated for convening a court to intercalate the year.” He went to the loft early the next morning and found eight Sages there. Rabban Gamliel said: “Who …

The Special Mitzvah of Taking Challah Kesuvos 25 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 25th, 2022

Our Gemara quotes the verse in Bamidbar (15:18) that describes the mitzvah of Challah, “When you enter into the land that I have brought you.” Because of the emphasis on entering the land, as opposed to conquering it, Challah is different than Terumah and other Israel-related produce that is separated and made holy.  The obligations of Terumah and maaser only became activated after the land was acquired.  However, the obliga …

The Soul’s Signals Shavuous 39 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 9th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the catastrophic effects of violating an oath: “The entire world trembled when the Holy One, Blessed be He, said at Mount Sinai: ‘You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain, for the Lord will not hold guiltless one who takes His name in vain’ (Exodus 20:7).” Unlike other sins, where God may “clear the guilty” (Exodus 34:7), false oaths bring unforgiving consequ …

The Sins of the Fathers Pesachim 14 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 4th, 2020

This Gemara quotes an argument based on the simple reading of a verse.  מקרא מלא דיבר הכתוב Sometimes the plainly evident verse becomes a source of halakha, even in later generations. For example, an interesting shaalah was asked to the Noda BeYehuda ( תשובת נודע ביהודה יו״ד א סימן סט).  A person was engaged and after the tenaim the grandfather of the Kallah became an apostate. Since this was co …

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 …

The Sinai Campaign Sotah 37 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 5th, 2023

    The Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the level of details and explanation that was given along with the written Torah: רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל אוֹמֵר כְּלָלוֹת נֶאֶמְרוּ בְּסִינַי וּפְרָטוֹת בְּאֹהֶל מוֹעֵד רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא אוֹמֵר כְּלָלוֹת וּפְרָטוֹת נֶאֶמְרוּ בְּסִינַי וְנִשְׁנוּ בְּאֹהֶל מו …

The Sin Offering for a Non-Sin Part Two Nazir 26 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 17th, 2023

Our Gemara continues its discussion about the pairs of chattas and olah brought by certain people. An even more specific subset of this group are those who bring a bird sin offering and a bird olah offering, it is a pair of birds, usually consecrated at the same time, known as a “keyn” or a “nest”.  This group includes a woman who gave birth, but is impoverished and cannot afford a lamb for the olah sacrifice, so she …

The Sin Offering for a Non-Sin Part One Nazir 25 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 17th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses an interesting scenario whereby a woman had separated money for her offerings as a nazirite, and her husband annuled her Nazirhood. If she had not stated which coins were designated for which offering, all the money will be earmarked for communal gift offerings. The Nazir brings a chattas, olah and shelamim, so the Gemara wonders how it is possible to convert what was set aside as a chattas for communal offering …

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 …

The Sin of Self-Betrayal Kesuvos 42 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 17th, 2022

If you accept that the Torah’s commandments are for our ultimate benefit, a sin is not merely a betrayal toward God, but even a betrayal toward ourselves.   Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes a verse in Vayikra (5:21) that discusses the violation of denying under oath monetary claims: “If a person will sin, make a violation to Hashem, and deny his friend’s claim regarding an object entrusted to him or financial matter or t …

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 SHALA"H and Corona Virus

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 21st, 2020

I quoted the Rambam in a prior blog posts about his rationalist approach, even to the extent that he blames the destruction of the Temple on the Jewish government's reliance on superstition such as Astrology instead of developing military strategy.  Some might say, "Well, that is the Rambam who was a rationalist, but other more mystical minded sages and tzadikkim would trust in Hashem more."  Check out simcha feuerman's youtube channel …

The Sense of the Sacred in Modern Chinuch Menachos 8 Psychology of the Daf

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January 19th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a scenario whereby a shelamim sacrifice is brought in the sanctuary, and it is still considered procedurally kosher, even though its proper place is the courtyard.The Gemara implies that this is only post facto. However, it is a violation of some kind to have slaughtered the sacrifice in the sanctuary. The Minchas Chinuch (184) suggests that this is considered a profane entry into the sanctuary. It is prohibited …

The Secret Life of Decrees Avodah Zara 35 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

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July 23rd, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a leadership and governance practice that is alien to modern thinking. As with many ideas and wisdoms in the Gemara, there is no pretense of political correctness — instead, it presents a hierarchical, though generally benevolent, perspective on society.
The Gemara discusses the following rabbinic practice:
When the Sages decreed a decree in the West, Eretz Yisrael, they would not reveal the reason behin …

The Second Hand-Smoke of Curses and Sin Sanhedrin 48 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 3rd, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the dangers of cursing someone and how it can backfire:  Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: All the curses that David invoked upon Joab were ultimately fulfilled in David’s descendants, due to the curse that Solomon accepted upon himself. David cursed Joab: “Let the house of Joab never lack those who are afflicted with a discharge, or a leper, or who hold onto a staff, or fall by the sword, or lack b …

The Seal of Disapproval Bava Metzia 74 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 12th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph describes a marketplace custom and procedure that confers enough intent so that acquisitions are binding, as if a kinyan or contract was made:   אָמַר רַב פַּפִּי מִשְּׁמֵיהּ דְּרָבָא: הַאי סִיטוּמְתָּא – קָנְיָא. לְמַאי הִלְכְתָא? רַב חֲבִיבָא אֲמַר: לְמִקְנֵיא מַמָּשׁ.   Rav Pappi said in the name of …

The Sage who Overplayed his Hand Yevamos 94 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 9th, 2022

Rashi on amud beis (“v’es achas”) discusses a hermeneutical principle which is occasionally used in Shas.  A word from a different language, often Greek and often the numeral one, is read into the text. For example, the Hebrew word “Hen”, is reinterpreted in the verse to mean “one”.  Some good examples of this are Shabbos (31b) Moed Kattan (28a) and Sanhedrin (76b). Although I do not have a well …

The Road to Torah Less Traveled Menachos 7 Psychology of the Daf

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January 18th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph relates that Avimi traveled to Rav Chisda to get help with understanding a particular sugya. This is even more remarkable because Rav Chisda was Rav Avimi’s student. This leads the Gemara to ask, “Why didn’t Avimi summon his student instead of traveling to him?” The Gemara answers that traveling to him would make the endeavor more successful. Rashi explains by quoting the famous rabbinic adage, “If you work hard …

The Road to Perfection Contains Much Imperfection Avodah Zara 44 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

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August 1st, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph cites a verse about David’s initiation as king (Shmuel II 12:30), capturing a crown from the Ammonite kingdom, with halachic implications for idolatrous images. It also symbolizes David’s ascendancy and leadership process.Shem MiShmuel (Bamidbar), quoting the Kotzker Rebbe, observes that this crown represented a secular aspect from the Ammonites, necessary for David’s rule.
The Gemara (Yoma 22b) states:Rav Yehud …

The Right to Remain Avodah Zarah 8 Prayerful Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 24th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph outlines the framework for personal supplication during the Amidah:
“The Halacha is that one may request personal needs during the blessing of Shomeah Tefilah. However, if he desires, he may include personal requests in each blessing that matches its theme.”
Implicit in this ruling is a theological tension: What gives us the right to bring our petty, personal concerns into an encounter with the Divine? Shouldn …

The Right to Complain Bava Metzia 76 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 14th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph describes a scenario where a landowner sent an agent to hire contracted workers at four dinars but the agent, unsolicited, negotiated a lower rate of three dinars. Upon discovering that they could have negotiated a higher wage, the contractors have no legal recourse, since they agreed to those terms. But the Gemara says they still have a grievance, as they can say to the one who came to terms with them: Don’t you ha …

The Rebellious Son Who Never Was: Moshe’s Protest and Divine Punishment Sanhedrin 71 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 26th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses how the Ben Sorrer Umoreh—the rebellious son described in Devarim (21:18) who is subject to the death penalty—historically never existed. That is, as draconian as the prescribed punishment seems, it never actually came to pass. One important aspect of the legal procedure is that the parents themselves must bring their child before the court, meaning they are voluntarily participating in a process tha …

The Real Reason for the Mitzvos Eruvin 31 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 9th, 2020

Eruvin 31 דְּכוּלֵּי עָלְמָא מִצְוֹת לָאו לֵיהָנוֹת נִיתְּנוּ The Gemara answers that Rava could have said to you: If they hold that one may establish an eiruv only for the sake of a mitzva, all would agree that the eiruv may be placed on a grave because mitzvot were not given for benefit. for Video Shiur click here to listen:  Psychology of the DAF Eruvin 31 The Maharal in Tiferes Yisrael beginn …

The Real Pain of Social Ostracism Sotah 23 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 21st, 2023

Our Gemara on amud beis discusses a difference in how capital punishment is meted out to a man versus a woman. A man is completely naked while the woman is clothed. Although our Gemara offers a proof text for this, in reality it is based on a logical analysis, as per Gemara Sanhedrin (45a and Tosafos 45a.) The reasoning is as follows, though being stoned while naked will hasten death, because the impact will be more lethal, the woman still wears …

The Real Hiddur Mitzvah Bava Kama 78 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 19th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a case where a person pledges an ox for an Olah sacrifice, uses language “it is incumbent upon me” which obligates him to replace the ox if it is damaged or stolen. If someone stole this ox, what liabilities would the thief incur to reimburse the owner ? On the one hand, since the owner dedicated an ox, and is responsible to bring it no matter what, the thief should reimburse him with a similar qualit …

The Rambam on the Cutting Edge Nazir 41 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 5th, 2023

Continuing our discussion about Jewish prohibitions of cutting hair, our Gemara on this daf discusses the prohibition of cutting the hair on the side of one’s head, that is peyos harosh. Rabbi Rosner’s Daf Yomi Shiur from the last cycle quoted an intriguing Tur (Tur YD 181): “That which the Ramban says that the reason for the prohibition of cutting the Peyos is an order to not be similar to the customs of the idolaters, is not e …

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 …

The Rambam’s Personal Anguish and Resilience Zevachim 2

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 12th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud aleph refers to a Tanna with an unusual descriptor added to his name: Shimon the Brother of Azariah. Usually, people are identified by their father, not their brother. Rashi notes this and gives us the historical back story. Azariah, a businessman, supported his brother Shimon, the scholar. Because they were literally partners in Torah and finances, sharing both, Azariah merited the honor by association in his brother’s title …

The Quiet Still Voice Within Chaggigah 16 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 24th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes one of my most favorite verses in the Torah, from Melachim I:19:11 as one of the inspirations that kept Rabbi Akiva safe when he entered the dangerous mystical zone of the Pardes. The content and context of this pasuk is powerful. The context is that Eliyahu is dispirited. Baal worship is still rampant and King Achav and Izevel remain with a strong power base. Eliyahu declares after a difficult journey : 

The Quest for Satisfaction Gittin 2 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 18th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis identifies the people of “Medinas Hayam” those who come from overseas (from outside the Land of Israel) as tending to be less versed in Torah law and norms (see Rashi “Lefi”.) The idiom, Medinas Hayam is often used in rabbinic literature to denote an area that is lacking in Torah or spiritual significance. Rav Kook, in his commentary on Siddur (Olas Reiyyah) goes into a lengthy metaphorical and myst …

The Pursuit of Happiness Nazir 13 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 5th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph Discusses a scenario, whereby one person overhears another, declaring, “I hereby accept upon myself being a nazir if a child is born to me.” The person who overhears it says, “Myself as well”. The question is, what did he mean by, “myself as well”? Did he mean, “I, too, will take this vow upon myself in gratitude for your having a child”, or does he mean, “I, too, will …

The Psychotherapy Client's Bill of Rights and Responsibilities

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 16th, 2015

The Psychotherapy Client’s Bill of Rights and Responsibilities by Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, LCSW-R Chaya Feuerman, LCSW-R   Going for therapy means different things for different people. For some, it is a dreaded last resort measure, only to be used when a person’s life or marriage is utterly falling apart. For others, it is less stigmatized and more routine – almost like going for physical therapy, not so convenient but neces …

The Psychology Of Torah Sheb'al Peh

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 19th, 2016

The Psychology of Torah Sheba’al Peh Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, LCSW-R Psychology of the Oral Torah (Originally Printed in the Jewish Press)   We read in Megillas Esther (9:27): “They affirmed and accepted upon themselves…” There is a redundancy in the phrase, “affirmed and accepted”, and based on this, the Gemara (Shavuous 39a) comments:  “We understand the Jews accepted the Torah at Har Sinai, b …

The Psychology of the Oral Torah Bava Metzia 98 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 5th, 2024

Our Gemara on this daf discusses a fundamental dispute regarding the oath required of the watchman. In the verses which we soon shall see, a watchman is Biblically mandated to swear and affirm his claim of not having neglected his duties. This is known as the Watchman’s Oath. Another Biblically mandated oath that is derived from these verses is the Oath of Partial Admission, which is triggered when a defendant partially admits that true, he …

The Psychology of Rabbinic Enactments Yevamos 21 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 28th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the scriptural supports for the rabbical prohibitions of sexual relations with certain relatives beyond the Biblical list, known as Sheniyos. The sheniyos are often one further generation from the original, for example one’s mother is a biblically prohibited sexual relation, while a grandmother is a sheniya. The Gemara explains that each Sage offers a different support: Rava says, For all these [severe] ab …

The Psychology of Murder-Suicide Yevamos 118 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 3rd, 2022

  The next two dappim of the Gemara will discuss various situations of self-injury and self-destruction.  The Gemara references Shimshon’s ”Kamikaze” act upon the Philistines.  At the end of his life, deprived of his miraculous strength, he was tied up and mocked in a public stadium.  He prayed that God grant him one last strength, so that he “May die with the Philistines.”  Thus, he was able …

The Psychology of Misers Bava Metzia 52 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 19th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph describes a person who refuses to accept a slightly eroded coin as a “nefesh ra’ah” - “an evil soul.”  What does this term mean?  The term “ayin ra’ah” connotes stinginess, for example see Bechoros 11a.  The Maharal relates “nefesh ra’ah” with “ayin ra’ah”, except that ”nefesh ra’ah” is the inner manifestat …

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 …

The Psychology of Disgust Avodah zara 30 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

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July 18th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the behavior of snakes to determine whether their venom could have contaminated certain vessels. It considers whether a snake would drink from already diluted wine, particularly if others are watching. The conclusion: Snakes don’t usually drink diluted wine, and especially not under observation.But the Gemara presents an exception—an incident where a snake cleverly gathered water in its mouth, spat it into a …

The Psychology and Function of Stigma Kesuvos 97 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 11th, 2022

Stigma is a powerful human emotion.  Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses possible additional allowances made to a divorcee so that she may collect her kesuba more easily.  The Gemara says it is due to “Chiyna” “being favorable”.  Rabbenu Chananel (see Tosafos) interprets this is having some additional financial status to overcome the stigma of divorce and make her more desirable to suitors. We should respect …

The Psychology and Ethics of Legal Loopholes Bava Basra 70 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 3rd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis describes a legal loophole, that allows for something akin to charging interest, which is normally forbidden. It is the framework on which modern day heterei iskas are formulated. Without going into the legal technicalities, we must ask ourselves is it moral to take advantage of a loophole. But in order to answer that, we must ask ourselves what is the function of a loophole.   Law is confining and constricting. It do …

The Psychological Definition And Process Of Process Of Rationalization Bava Basra 52 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 16th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses circumstances where a person who is doing a noble deed such as tending to an orphan’s assets may be even more trustworthy. This is due to feeling high from the sense of worthiness, and not wanting to stoop low and discredit the personal sense of achievement.    Tosafos here (“Detarcha”) points out that Gemara (Gittin 35a) makes the opposite conclusion. A caretaker may rationalize small …

The Process of Realizing the Truth Psychology of the Daf Yomi Gittin 51

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 6th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the psychology of why there is an obligation to make an oath when there is partial admission, even though if there is total denial, there is no obligation. At first glance, this does not make sense. Why did somebody who is decent enough to make a partial admission be less credible than a person who totally denies? But of course, human behavior does not follow logic; it also follows emotions. Therefore, the reason …

The Problem is the Cure (and it’s Us!) Nedarim 8 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 2nd, 2022

Our Gemara discusses apocalyptic traditions of how the righteous and the wicked will get their due at the end of days:   אֵין גֵּיהִנָּם לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, אֶלָּא הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מוֹצִיא חַמָּה מִנַּרְתִּיקָהּ, צַדִּיקִין מִתְרַפְּאִין בָּהּ וּרְשָׁעִים נִידּוֹנִין בָּה. שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״ו …

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 …

The Price of Stubborn Arrogance Bava Kamma 16 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 17th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us: שִׁדְרוֹ שֶׁל אָדָם – לְאַחַר שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים נַעֲשֶׂה נָחָשׁ. וְהָנֵי מִילֵּי דְּלָא כָּרַע בְּ״מוֹדִים״. A person’s spine, seven years after his death, metamorphoses into a snake. The Gemara qualifies the last statement: And this matter applies only to a case where that person did not bow during the blessing of t …

The Practical and Human Aspects of War Gittin 38 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 23rd, 2023

The Gemara discusses the concept of the acquisition of slaves via the spoils of war. Some of the commentaries understand it as an advanced form of yiyush, that is, the owners, seeing the overwhelming enemy give up and relinquish their hopes of reacquiring the item. Therefore, de facto, the conquerors take possession (see Rashi Bechazaka). From other Rishonim (see Tosafos 38a, “Aval,” and Rashba Kiddushin 14a) it seems that warfare its …

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 Power of Repair Attempts Zevachim 29 Psychology of the Daf

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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 …

The Power of Rationalization Bava Kamma 68 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 9th, 2024

  Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses why the cattle rustler who proceeds to slaughter or sell the animal, after he already stole it, incurs an additional penalty of 4 or 5 times the value of the sheep or ox respectively: אָמַר רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא: מִפְּנֵי מָה אָמְרָה תּוֹרָה טָבַח וּמָכַר מְשַׁלֵּם אַרְבָּעָה וַחֲמִשָּׁה? מִפְּנֵי שֶׁנִּשְׁתּ …

The Power of Precision in Prayer Bava Metzia 106 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 11th, 2024

Our Gemara on this Amud discusses a variety of misfortunes, and under what circumstances prayer is most or less effective. This occurs within the legal context of a tenant farmer and the landlord’s experience of an agricultural disaster, such as locust or scorching winds. Some of the factors include whether the tenant farmer kept to their agreement or not, and a post facto evaluation of what would have happened if he stuck with the agreemen …

The Power of Prayer and Torah Together Nedarim 67 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 30th, 2022

On this daf we begin to learn about the relationship between husband and wife, father and daughter, in their ability to sometimes jointly, and sometimes individually, annul vows. A single Na’arah who makes a vow can have it annulled by her fathers say so on the day that he hears about it. If she is an arusa (married via kiddushin but not nisuin, that is not living together as husband and wife and still in her father’s house), the husb …

The Power of Practice and the Weight of Truth Sanhedrin 97 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 24th, 2025

Our Gemara on amud aleph tells a strange tale about a city whose inhabitants never, ever lied: There was a certain Sage, Rav Tavut (or Rav Tavyomei, according to some), who was so committed to honesty that, even if offered the entire world, he would not deviate from the truth. He said: “One time, I happened to visit a place called Truth, where its residents were unwavering in their commitment to truth. No one there ever deviated from truth …

The Power of Perspective: Broad vs. Narrow Thinking Sanhedrin 101 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 28th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a verse in Mishlei (15:15): “All the days of a poor man are wretched, but a man who is of good heart will be in a constant festive state.” In the context of the surrounding verses, this pasuk conveys moral wisdom regarding attitudes and dispositions that influence a person’s experiences—either toward meaningful, pleasant interactions or the opposite. The Gemara seeks to define what type of …

The Power of Innocent Torah Bava Basra 20 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 15th, 2024

Our Mishna on Amud Beis discusses that though one may object to a neighbor opening a store in a residential courtyard, if the neighbor teaches Torah to children he is allowed to do so despite the traffic and noise pollution.    Our sages had much to say about the value of young children learning Torah. The Gemara Shabbos (119b) famously states:   אמר ריש לקיש משום רבי יהודה נשיאה: אין העולם מתק …

The Power of Denial Bava Basra 147 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 19th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis explains the reasoning behind the extra legal power granted to a person on their deathbed to make gifts without requiring physical acts of acquisition (kinyan) to signify the transfer of ownership. In such cases, words alone suffice to effectuate the transfer: The halakha that the gift of a person on his deathbed does not require an act of acquisition is merely by rabbinic law, instituted lest he see that his will is not b …

The Pleasantness Principle Yevamos 4 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 11th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph teaches the following: Rav Sheshes said that Rabbi Elazar said in the name of Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya: From where is it derived with regard to a yevama who came before a yavam afflicted with boils that one may not muzzle her, i.e., she cannot be forced to enter into levirate marriage, and he is compelled to release her by ḥalitza? As it is stated: “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain ” ( …

The Pintele Yid Zevachim 59 Psychology of the Daf

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November 12th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the dimensions of the altar:“Rabbi Yehuda says: It is stated here that the altar built in the time of Moses was: ‘Square’ (Exodus 27:1), and it is stated there, in Ezekiel’s prophetic description of the altar, that it is: ‘Square’ (Ezekiel 43:16). Just as, there, in Ezekiel’s vision, he was measuring the distance in each direction from its center, so too here, the verse was measuring the altar that …

The Perspective of Youth versus Age Bava Metzia 44 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 12th, 2024

Our Mishna on amud aleph discusses when encountering an exchange of one coinage for another, what is considered the coin and what is considered the object? This has an effect on the halacha, as in Jewish commerce, payment of money alone cannot acquire a physical object without the object being acquired through some other means such as picking it up. Yet, an object that is not currency can be acquired via exchange or barter. Thus, when one purchas …

The Pedagogical Benefits of Leadership Gittin 60 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 14th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph presents the hierarchy of individuals called to the Torah: אַחֲרֵיהֶן קוֹרְאִין תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים הַמְמוּנִּין פַּרְנָסִים עַל הַצִּבּוּר, וְאַחֲרֵיהֶן תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים הָרְאוּיִין לְמַנּוֹתָם פַּרְנָסִים עַל הַצִּיבּוּר, וְאַחֲרֵיהֶן בְּנֵי תַּ …

The Path to Torah Bava Basra 65 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 29th, 2024

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

The Path of Rationalization Avodah Zarah 51 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

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August 8th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis (through the following daf) records a dispute between Rabbi Yishmael and Rabbi Akiva regarding an idol that was crafted but not yet worshipped. According to Rabbi Yishmael, a gentile’s object of idol worship is not prohibited until it is worshipped, but a Jew’s object of idol worship is prohibited immediately. According to Rabbi Akiva, a gentile’s object of idol worship is prohibited immediately, but a Jew’s object …

The Pain of Gaslighting Bava Kamma 72 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 12th, 2024

Our gemara on Amud Beis discusses the concept of עֵד זוֹמֵם חִידּוּשׁ - the disqualification of conspiring witnesses is a Torah decree, without specific apparent logic.  This means that in Torah law, if two sets of two witnesses contradict each other, it is a stalemate, with no set believed more than the other. Yet, if one set disqualifies the other’s testimony by stating, “How can you claim to have seen Plony o …

The Pain of Descent: Why Falling Hurts More Than Staying Low Zevachim 105 Psychology of the Daf

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December 21st, 2025

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

The Oy in Anxiety Avodah Zara 31 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

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July 18th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the danger of uncovered water, which might contain venom from a snake. The question arises: If so, how do gentiles who don’t follow these precautions not regularly die from such exposure?
The answer:
“They eat repugnant creatures and creeping animals, which heat their bodies and thereby render them less susceptible to the venom.”
The sages believed that non-kosher food created bodily heat that neut …

The Oral Torah and Blank Spaces Bava Basra 76 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 9th, 2024

There are certain conventions in the Talmud that are difficult for the new learner to comprehend. Frankly, they would be difficult for many seasoned lamdanim as well, but after years and years of seeing the same phrase being used, I suspect that some have ceased to become curious or troubled by it. Yet, I am unsure if they became particularly wiser as to what it means and how it works – just more accepting of it. One of the most troubling c …

The Optics of Retaliation and Rescue from Enemies Bava Kamma 27 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 29th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the principle of Avid Inish Dina Lenafshe, which is to the extent that a person can take the law into his own hands to protect, or recover his possessions. There are times where it may be permitted to even resort to violence to protect one's possessions, see Shulkhan Arukh (CM 4). Of course, the potential for vigilantism and rationalization for out of control behavior is considerable, so one should be both well-v …

The Oldest Quarantine Story Pesachim 18 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 9th, 2020

This Gemara mentions the principle of דיו לבא מן הדין להיות כנדון which is an essential hermeneutical principle. That being, when making a kal v’chomer inference, which is when we understand that a certain rule or restriction applies to a lesser matter, then surely it must apply to a more serious matter. The principle of “Dayo” limits the application to only something as severe as the originating rule. Thus …

The Old Work Ethic Bava Basra 67 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 30th, 2024

Our Gemara on on Amud Aleph discusses circumstances, under which an act to  signify acquisition and legal title of one field that is being sold automatically enacts an acquisition of other fields within the sale as well.   If one sold another ten fields in ten different regions, all in a single bill of sale, once he takes possession of one of them, he has acquired them all; and the two cases seem to be analogous.    The Gemara …

The Nuances of Disgrace Shavuous 36 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 6th, 2025

The Gemara on Amud Aleph continues discussing words implying oaths, noting arur can mean ostracism (niduy), curse (klallah), or oath (shevuah), depending on context.  Kli Yakkar (Bereishis 12:3) uses the distinction between kellalah and arur to better explain a verse. God promises Avraham’s: I will (avarcha) bless those who bless you (mevarachecha) And curse (a-or) the one who curses you (mekallelcha); Kli Yakkar asks why does the vers …

The Non-Intercourse Act Yevamos 52 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 21st, 2022

Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses an enactment by the great Amora and Rosh Yeshiva, Rav.  Even though the Torah allows for three ways to effectuate marriage, incliuding sexual intercourse with the intent to marry (Mishna KIddushin 1:1), Rav forbids a person to marry in this manner.  It is considered unseemly and promiscuous. One might wonder, what gave Rav the right to add on to the Torah’s sensibilities?  If the Torah allow …

The Naked Truth About Justice and Sin Sanhedrin 45 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 31st, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the capital punishment of stoning, which includes stripping the condemned person of their clothing to expedite their death. However, there is a dispute between Rabbi Yehuda and the Sages regarding whether a woman who is stoned should also be stripped of her clothing. The Gemara analyzes this disagreement and offers the following reasoning behind their arguments: One Sage, i.e., the Sages, holds that minimizing o …

The Mysterious Monotheism of King Akhenaten Bava Basra 169 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 11th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a principle regarding halachic agency. While one may appoint an agent to act on their behalf in legal matters, such as purchases, the agency remains valid only if the agent performs as directed. If the agent deviates significantly from their instructions, the transaction is nullified. The Sefer Kevodah Shel Torah frequently uses halachic principles to illuminate or expand upon biblical narratives. In Bereishis (4 …

The Mother of Intention Bava Metzia 2 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 1st, 2024

The Gemara on this Amud discusses the proper way to adjudicate a dispute where two parties claim ownership over an object. Sometimes the remedy is to mandate that it be divided. However, that is only when there are grounds to consider each claim as equally valid, and possibly that both are equal legitimate owners.  But if one party had full possession of the object, and the other had no proof other than his claim, we would not divide the obj …

The Miracle of Subtle Miracles Sanhedrin 26 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 12th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph describes an incident during the reign of King Chizkiyahu and the impact, or lack thereof, that a group of evil conspirators had. Specifically, King Chizkiyahu did not need to take into account the behaviors or assessments of wicked people, and their opinions would not carry the same weight with God, even though they represented a large portion of the population. Shebna, a steward and minister in King Hezekiah’s cou …

The Messiah is not Late; He is Right on Time Bava Basra 133 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 5th, 2024

Our gemara on Amud Beis records a dialogue between Rav Illish and Rav. Rav made a mistaken ruling which Rav corrected. Rav Ilish was embarrassed and so To comfort him, Rav read the following verse about him: “I, the Lord, will hasten it in its time” (Isaiah 60:22), as if to say: It was due to Divine Providence that I was here to correct you before your mistaken ruling was implemented   This verse is classically interpreted by our …

The Messenger is the Message Kiddushin 23 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 5th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis delves into a recurring question throughout Shas concerning the status of the Cohanim's service in the Temple: When they offer sacrifices, are they acting as our representatives or as agents of God? The Gemara concludes that the Cohanim are indeed acting as agents of God, carrying out His directives (while, of course, one of those directives is to offer sacrifices on our behalf). Bas Ayin (Emor 23) expands on the role of a …

The Mechanisms of Rationalization Gittin 35 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 20th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the issue of trust in a widow who cares for her husband's children and whether she can be relied upon to take an oath about receiving payment from her husband's kesuba. There is a concern that she may rationalize her entitlement to funds beyond what she deserves and even resort to false swearing. Rashi explains that she genuinely believes she is not stealing but rather taking additional compensation that she fee …

The Meals We Forget: Rosh Chodesh, Melave Malka, and the Struggle to Pause Sanhedrin 70 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 25th, 2025

Our Mishna on Amud Aleph references the idea of having a meal when calculating whether the lunar month is 29 or 30 days. The Aruch Hashulchan (OC 419:2) explains that this meal was intended to incentivize any witnesses who had seen evidence of the new moon to make the trip to the court. He quotes the Kol Bo, which states that the custom of eating a festive meal on Rosh Chodesh in general serves as a zecher le-Mikdash, a way to remember various ri …

The Maharal’s View on Inflation Yevamos 81 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 27th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the concept that items which are numbered are considered more significant, which can affect the laws of nullification. That is, if ordinarily we might say a non kosher item will be nullified if mixed into a majority, if this non kosher item has a significance in that it is counted and sold by numbers instead of volume, it will not be nullified. The idea that something becomes important when it is counted is disc …

The Leader is Only As Strong as the People Nedarim 47 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 11th, 2022

Our Mishna on Amud Beis uses an unusual form, instead of saying  הֲרֵי אַתְּה עָלַי חֵרֶם behold you (“atah” masculine) are cherem, it says הֲרֵי אַתְּ behold you (”at” female), though the Mishna is referring to an interchange between two men, as it gives no indication of a gender specific halakha.  Tosafos Yom Tov notes this and remarks that occasionally Hebrew will use the word fo …

The Kuzari Principle Re-Visited Bava Basra 31 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 26th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the legal disposition of two sets of witnesses who cancel each other out, essentially, mutually discrediting the other’s testimony. The reasoning is as follows: Since at least one of them must be lying, thereby due to the conservative nature of law, we cast a shadow of doubt on the legitimacy of both testimonies.   Malbim (Bamidbar 16:28) uses this legal distinction to explain Moshe’s atypical r …

The Kosher and the Unkosher in Relationships Zevachim 78 Psychology of the Daf

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December 1st, 2025

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

The Joy of Forgiveness Menachos 20 Psychology of the Daf

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January 30th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph (see Rashi, “aderaba”) discusses the idea that the wine libation, after the blood is sprinkled, represents the joy and relief of obtaining atonement.
The Yalkut Divrei Yosef (Succos) remarks that this is why Succos, in particular, is a time of great rejoicing—more so than the other festivals—since it comes on the heels of having received atonement on Yom Kippur.
Shem MiShmuel (Yom Kippur, chapter 15) elabora …

The Issue is the Feelings, Not the Facts Bava Metzia 70 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 8th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph uses an interesting idiom to refer to “older” orphans, “Diknanei”, meaning they have beards. Rashi adds, “They are no longer considered orphans.”  What does Rashi mean?  A beard does not add or detract from the status of an orphan!   To understand this, we need to appreciate the special status that orphans occupy in halacha and Jewish ethics.  There are specific proh …

The Influenceable Husband Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 145

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 29th, 2020

  אִיתְּעַר בְּהוּ רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן, אֲמַר לְהוּ: דַּרְדְּקֵי! לֹא כָּךְ אָמַרְתִּי לָכֶם: ״אֱמוֹר לַחׇכְמָה אֲחוֹתִי אָתְּ״ — אִם בָּרוּר לְךָ הַדָּבָר כַּאֲחוֹתְךָ שֶׁהִיא אֲסוּרָה לְךָ — אוֹמְרֵהוּ, וְאִם לָאו — לֹא תֹּאמְרֵהוּ. Rabbi Y …

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 …

The Importance of Validation Sanhedrin 6 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 23rd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis describes Aharon’s character and temperament in comparison to Moshe. Moshe was a lawgiver and valued strict justice and truth. However, Aharon, whose role was not that of a judge, was a lover of peace and a pursuer of peace, and he would apply peace between one person and the other. Ben Yehoyada here notes that the Hebrew word used here, “pursuer of peace,” is more ambiguous sounding than the English tran …

The Importance of Transition Bava Kamma 86 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 26th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a case where a person inflicts damage upon a person by pouring a caustic agent on the person’s head that causes permanent baldness.  Each category of damage is evaluated, loss of livelihood, pain, medical bills, actual loss of physical feature, and humiliation. How does loss of hair interfere with livelihood and/or cause pain? The Gemara explains that this person was a dancer or performance artist, an …

The Importance of Honesty in Maintaining Civilization Kesuvos 74 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 17th, 2022

Our Gemara at the end of Amud Beis tells us that Rabbi Yehuda holds that an oath made in public cannot be annulled . His proof is from the Gibeonites, who fooled Yehoshua into thinking they were foreigners and refugees from a distant land, leading them to make an oath and treaty with them (see Yehoshua chapter 9). Even though it was done under false pretenses, at least according to Rabbi Yehuda, the main reason why Yehoshua honored the oath is th …

The Importance of Clarity Nazir 33 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 24th, 2023

As Daf 33 is tiny in terms of content, we will discuss a teaching at the top of 34a, “אין נזירות אלא להפלאה”, which means that in certain situations, a Nazir cannot make a vow that is contingent on something which will remain unclear.  Naziriteship is imposed upon someone only if the vow is stated with explicitness [hafla’a] and enunciated. The Torah says that a vow must be “clearly” pronounced …

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 …

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 …

The Imagined Achievement Becomes a Substitute for Actual Achievement Bava Basra 5 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 30th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses what legal assumptions can be made when a borrower claims to have paid back a loan, but the lender refuses.    גְּמָ׳ אָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ: הַקּוֹבֵעַ זְמַן לַחֲבֵירוֹ, וְאָמַר לוֹ: ״פְּרַעְתִּיךָ בְּתוֹךְ זְמַנִּי״ – אֵינוֹ נֶאֱמָן; וּלְוַאי שֶׁיִּפְרַע בִּזְמַנּוֹ. …

The Illusion of Money Sanhedrin 4 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 20th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the minimum number of walls required for a kosher Succah: "There must be two walls in their standard sense, completely closing each of those two sides, and a third wall, which, based on a halakha transmitted to Moses from Sinai, may measure even as little as one handbreadth." Sefer Daf al Daf quotes two interesting pieces of derush regarding this Halacha. The Alshich (Vayikra 23:33) explains that all the benefit …

The Illusion of Control Bava Metzia 63 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 26th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis conceptualizes the prohibition of charging interest as any financial compensation that is an incentive for the lender to delay payment of his debt. In essence, time is money, and the charging of interest is an enactment of the value that having access to money at one time over another brings profit. Assuming that the rate of interest is not exploitative, the Torah asks us to run against a normal instinct to manage money wi …

The “I”, in Idolatry Bava Kamma 45 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 17th, 2023

Our Gemara uses a famous principle of halakhic derivation, אֵין רִיבּוּי אַחַר רִיבּוּי אֶלָּא לְמַעֵט an inclusionary statement following another inclusionary statement implies an exclusion.  Arvei Nachal (Parashas Eikev) sees this Torah idea as valid in all spheres of existence, and not merely derashos.  A person who seeks to aggrandize himself will lead to his diminishment.   Socra …

The Humble Steps Toward Leadership Zevachim 83 Psychology of the Daf

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December 5th, 2025

The Mishna on amud aleph teaches:Certain unfit items, once they have been placed on the altar, are nevertheless sacrificed and not to be removed. The mishna teaches: The altar sanctifies only items that are suited to it. The tanna’im disagree as to the definition of “suited for the altar.”Rabbi Yehoshua says: Any item that is suited to be consumed by the fire (ishim) on the altar, e.g., burnt offerings and the sacrificial portions of other …

The Horse, Heart and Rider Avodah Zara 36 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

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July 24th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph cites a prooftext from Daniel (1:8), which indicates a prototype of the prohibition against gentile wine, oil and other products:
Daniel set the matter upon his heart not to defile himself with the king’s food or the wine he drank, so he sought permission of the chief officer not to defile himself.
Daniel, a young Jewish exile groomed for the royal court, found the strength, resolved in his heart, to create a barr …

The Honest Weigh to Go Bava Metzia 49 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 17th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses further the importance of keeping one’s word and honoring verbal agreements:   The verse states: “You shall have an honest balance, honest weights, an honest ephah, and an honest hin.״ But wasn’t a hin included in an ephah, why is it necessary to state both measures? Rather, this is an allusion that serves to say to you that your “yes” (“hen” or “hin” m …

The Hole Truth About Sin Bava Kamma 48 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 20th, 2023

  Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the liability of someone who has a pit dug on his property, even if he did not do or ask for it to be done: Since this owner of the courtyard should have filled the pit with earth and he did not fill it, he is considered like someone who actually dug the pit. The idea that one is considered to be an active damager simply by neglecting to repair a hazard has metaphysical implications as well. Shem Mishmuel …

The High Standards of Ancient Scholarship Zevachim 30

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 10th, 2025

Our Gemara on amud beis describes an interlude where the sage Levi asked a question of his master, Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, in a particular way that was multivalent. It is hard to get into the lomdishe particulars, but I'll explain it in terms of process. There were three possible scenarios going from more obviously valid to less obvious, with only the most obvious scenario taught explicitly to Levi. Of course, Levi could have asked about the remaini …

The Heavy Burden of Judicial Discernment Bava Basra 131 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 3rd, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses the idea that a judge must use his common sense and logic to determine the truth as best he can, knowing that it is impossible for any mortal to be absolutely certain:   A judge has only what his eyes see as the basis for his ruling. One must rule according to his own understanding.   This idea, however, not only frees a judge from responsibility for matters beyond his perception, but as is often the c …

The Head and the Heart: Disassociation and Sin Zevachim 64 Psychology of the Daf

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November 17th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis described the process of slaughtering the olah bird offering. One difference between the olah bird offering and the chattas bird offering is that the head of the olah is fully severed, while the chattas bird’s head is not fully separated.
Shem Mishmuel (Vayikra 6) offers a compelling psychological explanation for this difference between the chattas bird and the olah. We have a tradition that the function of the olah i …

The Harm of Self-Deception Bava Metzia 23 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 22nd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses why a Talmid Chacham has special credibility; he never lies except for purposes of modesty and privacy. However, even a meticulously honest Torah sage is permitted to alter the truth under circumstances that would violate privacy or modesty, such as if he wants to modestly hide his wisdom, he may publicly deny his achievements. Additionally, he may use deception to prevent others from becoming aware of his and hi …

The Halakhic Rights of the Unborn Yevamos 78 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 24th, 2022

Since abortion is entering into the national debate once again, it is good to see what the Jewish tradition has to say about a fetus’s rights and personhood. One of the questions that arise in considering the legality and morality of the unborn child is, when does this “bunch of cells” turn into a human with its own identity and rights? After all, we all are just a “bunch of cells”, just like the tomato plant in my b …

The Grass is Always Greener… on the Pagan Side? Sanhedrin 67 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 21st, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph describes the actions and words that the Inciter (to commit idolatry) must say in order to be liable for the death penalty. An example is how he might educate someone about a particular mode of idol worship and its rituals: “There is an idol in such and such a place, which eats like this, drinks like this, does good for its worshippers like this, and harms those who do not worship it like this.” It is curious …

The Goldilocks Equation Bava Metzia 50 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 18th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the laws of fraudulent overcharging:   Rava said: The Halacha is that if the disparity in actual value versus amount paid is less than one-sixth, the merchandise is acquired immediately. If the disparity is greater than one-sixth, either party can demand nullification of the transaction. If the disparity is precisely one-sixth, the buyer has acquired the merchandise, and the one who benefited from the exploi …

The Goalie Gets the Same Trophy as the Forward Avodah Zara 27 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

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July 15th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph states that in a certain sense, a woman is considered circumcised. Meaning to say, even though anatomically she is unable to have the Jewish circumcision, since she is a full Jew, she is treated as if she is part of the same covenant.Ben Yehoyada, quoting the Arizal, develops this idea further. He says it is similar to the principle that women are not obligated in time-bound mitzvos but it is considered as if they fulfill …

The Get of Luban Psychology of the Daf Yomi Gittin 80

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 4th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the importance of properly naming the city in the Get. This brings to mind an interesting slice of reality from about 100 years ago. In the Introduction to the eighth volume of the Iggeros Moshe, there is a biography of Rav Moshe that goes on for dozens of pages, and has the veracity of being written by his grandchildren. One of Rav Moshe’s first rabbinic positions was to serve as Rabbi of the town Luban. …

The Full Picture of Monotheism Bava Basra 54 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 18th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discussed one of the ways to acquire ownerless property is to show proprietorship. For example, the great Amora, Rav acquired a garden, which had been ownerless property, by drawing an image. Rashbam says he drew pictures of animals and birds.     The fact that the Gemara (and Rashbam) casually mentions making a drawing of these figures is used as proof that this is not a violation of the prohibition (Shemo …

The Frustrations of Daily Life Bava Metzia 13 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 12th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the status of a promissory note that was lost and found. Ordinarily, these notes with signatures of witnesses have a presumption of validity. However, since this document was dropped, that in and of itself weakens its legitimacy. (Perhaps the loan was canceled or not even enacted, and it was discarded and not lost at all.) Therefore, if one finds this document, he may not be able to return it to the lender, as p …

The Forbidden Fruit: A Tale of Lovesickness, Pleasure, and the Loss of Temple Bliss Sanhedrin 75 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 2nd, 2025

On Amud Aleph, the Gemara discusses a fascinating story about a man who was stricken with lovesickness. The physicians assessed that if he was unable to requite his love, he would die. Much ink has been spilled analyzing the nuanced and multifaceted ways in which the rabbis responded to this person’s situation. For our discussion, we will focus on one particular segment. While there are different accounts of the story, one account suggests …

The Fog of War Bava Kamma 61 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 2nd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses an interlude in King David’s life that involved getting a message about a halakha on the battlefront (symbolically represented as bringing water, Shmuel II:23). According to one version, the halakhic question had to do with whether it is permitted to destroy another person's possessions in order to save himself. The Gemara interprets David’s “pouring out the water” as quoting the halakha …

The Fleeting Nature of Fortune Bava Basra 150 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 22nd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the scope of assets included when a gift giver uses the word nechasim—an umbrella Aramaic term for possessions and assets. Does this term encompass movable property, cattle, and cash, or is it restricted to real estate? The word nechasim has an ancient and enigmatic etymology, lacking clear Hebrew or Aramaic roots. The Maharal (Nesiv HaOsher 2) highlights this and notes that there are four primary terms for …

The Firstborn Opportunity Cost Zevachim 112 Psychology of the Daf

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January 4th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses that prior to the inauguration of the Mishkan, sacrificial service was performed by the firstborn. They lost this privilege due to the sin of the Golden Calf.The Divrei Dovid (Toldos 25:31) asks how Yaakov could purchase the birthright from Esav. It is forbidden for a non-cohen to perform the sacrifices; likewise a non-firstborn should also be in violation. He answers that prior to the appointment of the Levites, …

The Fault is Not in Our Stars

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 5th, 2020

When tragedies happen, we reflect.  I wish I was referring to the tragedy of Corona Virus, but that’s as they say, a halber tzura.  Instead, I am referring to the bizarre manner in which many of our Jewish brethren ignored warnings and signs about the dangers of this virus.  Certain strongholds of religious Jews have been violating in small degrees, and sometimes large, the social distancing safety practices. Shuls stayed ope …

The Eye of the Shteiger Zevachim 14 Psychology of the Daf

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September 28th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph states that the doorway space of the Temple is considered part of the Temple. 
This Gemara about the entrance to the sanctuary brings to mind a famous adage regarding repentance, and may also give us more insight into its text:
“God says, make an opening the size of the point of a needle, and I will make you an opening the size of the hallway into the Temple.”
Actually, this adage appears in a number of …

The Exodus and Being on the Lamb Shavuous 3 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 4th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the unique mitzvah to be careful not to break the bones of the Paschal sacrifice. What is the meaning of this mitzvah? The Maharal (Derashas Shabbos HaGadol 5) notes that three days are associated with the Pesach offering in Egypt: 1 Nisan (Rosh Chodesh), 10 Nisan (designating the animal for the Paschal offering), and 14 Nisan (the day of the actual service and offering). The command to take the Passover lamb is …

The Exceptional Case of Rav Avraham Danzig Bava Basra 30 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 25th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph recognizes that it is a valid argument for a claimant to maintain he was unaware someone was occupying his land due to him being preoccupied at the market, and was engaged in intense business and trade.    This brings to mind an inspirational historical fact about one the most respected poskim of Jewish history. Rav Avraham Danzig (1748-1820) authored numerous works, most famously his Chayye Adam and Chochmas Ad …

The Enigma of Half Liability Shavuous 33 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 31st, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph references the Jewish legal concept of Chatzi Nezek (paying half damages). This liability is incurred when an ordinary ox, with no history of goring, attacks another ox. The owner is neither fully absolved nor fully liable, paying only half.  This is a bit difficult. In God’s justice, strictly speaking, there ought to be no compromises or doubts. If the owner is liable, he should pay in full; if not, he should …

The Ends Justify the Means Eruvin 44 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 22nd, 2020

  אִם הָיָה בְּתוֹךְ הַתְּחוּם — כְּאִילּוּ לֹא יָצָא. כׇּל הַיּוֹצְאִים לְהַצִּיל — חוֹזְרִין לִמְקוֹמָן. If he was within his original limit, it is considered as if he had not left his limit, and he may return to his original location. The Sages formulated a principle: All who go out to battle and save lives may return to their original locat …

The Ego Defense of Sublimation Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 156

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 9th, 2020

  הַאי מַאן דִּבְמַאְדִּים — יְהֵי גְּבַר אָשֵׁיד דְּמָא. אָמַר רַב אָשֵׁי: אִי אוּמָּנָא, אִי גַּנָּבָא, אִי טַבָּחָא, אִי מָהוֹלָא. אָמַר רַבָּה: אֲנָא בְּמַאְדִּים הֲוַאי. אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: מָר נָמֵי עָנֵישׁ וְקָטֵיל. One who was born under the influence of Mars …

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 …

The Echo of the Rams Horn zevachim 85 Psychology of the Daf

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December 8th, 2025

Continuing our deliberations of the past few dappim regarding what gets placed on the altar and what can remain there, the Gemara discusses the status of lesser body parts such as tendons, horns, and hooves:
“The tendons and the horns and the hooves among those items that are sacrificed on the altar are brought along with the sacrifice, but only when attached.”
We see that the horns of a typical Olah sacrifice will be burned on the alta …

The Echo Chamber of the Evil Inclination Bava Basra 135 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 7th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis addresses a case where a deceased person’s will was found tied to his thigh, a way to secure important documents in that era. In Maaseh Shem (Avos 33), this principle is applied to Esav’s angel wrestling Yaakov and striking his thigh (Bereishis 32:26), as if intending to destroy the document representing Esav’s sale of the birthright to Yaakov.   This interpretation is clever, but there are other pro …

The Doctrine of the Descent of the Tzaddik Bava Metzia 116 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 23rd, 2024

  Our Mishna on Amud Beis describes the halachic status of a renter who lives in the attic and what are his rights should it become uninhabitable, such as a caved-in floor:   מַתְנִי׳ הַבַּיִת וְהָעֲלִיָּיה. נִפְחֲתָה הָעֲלִיָּיה, וְאֵין בַּעַל הַבַּיִת רוֹצֶה לְתַקֵּן – הֲרֵי בַּעַל הָעֲלִיָּיה יוֹרֵד וְדָר לְמַ …

The Dignity of Another Bava Kamma 90 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 31st, 2024

Our Mishna on Amud Aleph teaches  One who strikes another must give him a sela. Rabbi Yehuda says in the name of Rabbi Yosei HaGelili that he must give him one hundred dinars. If he slapped another on the cheek, he must give him two hundred dinars. If he slapped him on the cheek with the back of his hand, which is more degrading than a slap with the palm, he must give him four hundred dinars. We see increasing amounts of compensation that ar …

The Devil Within Bava Kamma 21 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 23rd, 2023

Our Gemara on amud aleph observes that a desolate, abandoned home seems to deteriorate more rapidly, offering a squatter a rationale for how they benefit the owner. What causes an abandoned structure to become decrepit? The Gemara offers a concrete reason: the occupant makes small repairs on the spot, thereby mitigating larger damage. Consider a home with a small leak—if repaired, the damage is contained. However, if left unchecked, the lea …

The Devil Made Me Do it Bava Kamma 13 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 15th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the halakhic distinctions of an Ox that was set aside for a Shelamim sacrifice and gores another ox.  This is a technically complicated legal discussion, but please bear with me, as it will lead to an interesting moral and psychological observation.  Since according to one opinion, the Shelamim sacrifice is considered to be still a possession of the owner, and when a regular ox gores, half the damages i …

The Denial of Death Nedarim 83 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 16th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes a verse from Koheles (7:2) as a proof text that the loss of ability to attend a funeral is considered a form of suffering: ט֞וֹב לָלֶ֣כֶת אֶל־בֵּֽית־אֵ֗בֶל מִלֶּ֙כֶת֙ אֶל־בֵּ֣ית מִשְׁתֶּ֔ה בַּאֲשֶׁ֕ר ה֖וּא ס֣וֹף כׇּל־הָאָדָ֑ם וְהַחַ֖י יִתֵּ֥ן אֶל־לִבּֽוֹ׃ It is better to go to a house of mourning t …

The Dawn of Jewish Nationalism Bava Kamma 88 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 29th, 2024

  Our Gemara on Amud Aleph references the scripturally derived requirement that a Jewish king must be from a Jewish mother. Additionally, Tosefta Sanhedrin (4:6) requires the king to stem from kosher lineage, i.e. not from a forbidden sexual relationship. Sefer Mish’an Mayim (Vayeshev), based on a Mizrachi, uses this idea to explain the quarrel between Yosef and his brothers. The verse states (Bereishis 37:8): וַיֹּ֤אמְרוּ …

The Dangers of Over Intellectualization Yevamos 14 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 21st, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us that prior to the decision to universally follow the School of Hillel, there was a period of time where the School of Shammai followed their rulings independently. The Gemara wonders how the School of Shammai rationalized this when the general principle is that the halakha is decided in accordance with the numerical majority. Since the School of Hillel was the majority, even the School of Shammai should have conc …

The Dangers of an Insensitive Husband Bava Metzia 109 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 16th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph records a spirited dispute between Rav Beivai bar Abaye and Rav Pappi. In the middle of the argument, Rav Pappi seems to have insulted Rav Beivai bar Abaye, implying that he makes faulty (short-lived) arguments because he stems from the House of Eli, who were cursed to die early.   The Shalah (Torah Sheb’al Peh, Kellal Peh Kadosh) tries to answer how such language could be appropriate. Regarding this particular …

The Curse Rebound Effect: Handle with Care! Sanhedrin 49 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 4th, 2025

After the story about how Dovid HaMelech’s curses boomeranged back upon his descendants, our Gemara on amud aleph begins with an adage: Be the one who is cursed and not the one who curses, as a curse eventually returns to the one who curses. The Maharal (Gur Aryeh 19:19) explains this idea with greater metaphysical depth. He states that if one curses someone who is undeserving of the curse, it will rebound upon him. Maharal compares this to …

The Cult of Self-Care Bava Basra 93 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 26th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses an interesting protocol from Talmudic times:   עוד מנהג גדול היה בירושלים – מפה פרוסה על גבי הפתח; כל זמן שמפה פרוסה – אורחין נכנסין. נסתלקה המפה – אין האורחין נכנסין.   The baraisa continues: Another great custom that was followed in Jerusalem was that when one made a feast, there would be a clo …

The Company You Keep Nedarim 73 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 6th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a scenario of wo women who are accused of infidelity and are required based on the evidence to go through the Sotah trial and ordeal in order to either prove innocence or encourage confession. These women do not undergo the ordeal together, as one person’s resolve might give the other inappropriate courage. Rashi (Sotah 8a) explains that if one of the women honestly did not commit adultery and therefore su …

The Clothes Make the Man Nedarim 81 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 13th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph mentions various illnesses that befall a person who does not keep parts of his body or his clothes clean. Some of it seems to be psychological in origin, that is that it induces a sense of disorder, and possibly even mental illness. It is common sense to assume that one’s mode of dress influences their attitude, for better or for worse. What does the research say about this? We have the general psychological and cog …

The Clothes Make the Man Bava Metzia 47 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 15th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes the scriptural source for the chalifin acquisition, whereby transfer of possession is confirmed via exchange of an object, also known as kinyan sudar. In Megillas Rus, Boaz acquires the rights to the field from Plony Almoni and also presumably secures his agreement that he will marry Elimelech’s (their relative) former daughter-in-law, Rus (Rus 4:7):   Now this was an ancient custom done in Israel in cas …

The Clothes Make the Man Bava Basra 40 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 4th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud refers to the principle of stam kinyan lekesiva omed:   A symbolic act of acquisition indicates one’s intention to do everything possible to finalize the transaction as soon as possible without waiting for the actual transfer of the item. Therefore, it is assumed that the parties would desire that a document be written, and no explicit authorization is necessary.     When the Gemara uses the term kinya …

The Clarifying Effect of Oppression Bava Basra 42 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 6th, 2024

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

The Circle of Life Bava Metzia 28 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 27th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses the obligation to announce a lost object to alert the owner.  One opinion is that it should be through the entire annual cycle of all three Jewish holidays, Pesach, Shavuous and Succos. Presumably, since people make pilgrimages to Eretz Yisrael at least once a year, this will allow for sufficient interaction that hopefully the person who lost the object will be notified.    Akeidas Yitschok (69) d …

The Chovos Halevavos and SSRI’s Nedarim 60 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 23rd, 2022

Shittah Mekubetzes on Amud Aleph remarks that the Mishna often discusses people who vow against drinking wine because drunkenness brings sorrow and regret. He is paraphrasing a Gemara (Yoma 76b) וְאַמַּאי קָרֵי לֵיהּ יַיִן, וְאַמַּאי קָרֵי לֵיהּ תִּירוֹשׁ? יַיִן — שֶׁמֵּבִיא יְלָלָה לְעוֹלָם. תִּירוֹשׁ — שֶׁכׇּל הַמִּתְגָּרֶה …

The Body's In-House Pharmacy Psychology of the Daf Eruvin 8

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 17th, 2020

Eruvin ספק טומאה גמרינן מסוטה Rashi here mentions the reason why a חצר that has many people passing through is considered a private domain for Shabbos but a public domain for questions about if an object became impure is because it is learned out from the law of Sotah. for Video Shiur click here to listen:  Psychology of the DAF Eruvin 8 The Sotah who was warned to not be alone with a certain man, and then it was proven …

The Blues Don’t Always Have to Bring You Down Sotah 17 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 9th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a mystical meditation that is inspired by the blue-like techeiles thread in the tzitzis: מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהַתְּכֵלֶת דּוֹמֶה לַיָּם, וְיָם דּוֹמֶה לָרָקִיעַ, וְרָקִיעַ דּוֹמֶה לְכִסֵּא הַכָּבוֹד — שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וַיִּרְאוּ אֵת אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְתַחַת רַגְלָיו כְּ …

The Blood Never Forgets Its Identity Zevachim 81 Psychology of the Daf

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December 4th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph states a principle that the blood of offerings does not nullify each other even when mixed. If the blood of a firstborn offering was mixed with blood of other sacrificial animals, the blood shall be sacrificed together, as the blood of firstborn offerings is not nullified.
Similar to the Sefas Emes (Acharei Mos) that we discussed on dappim 75 and 76, even mitzvos and rituals of lesser holiness occupy their own distinct …

The Bitter and the Sweet Bava Kamma 82 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 23rd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph relates a Midrashic retelling of a Biblical story. The Torah (Shemos 15:22-25) states: וַיַּסַּ֨ע מֹשֶׁ֤ה אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ מִיַּם־ס֔וּף וַיֵּצְא֖וּ אֶל־מִדְבַּר־שׁ֑וּר וַיֵּלְכ֧וּ שְׁלֹֽשֶׁת־יָמִ֛ים בַּמִּדְבָּ֖ר וְלֹא־מָ֥צְאוּ מָֽיִם׃  Then Moses caused Israel to set out from the Se …

The Big Cover Up Eruvin 84 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 1st, 2020

Eruvin 84 מתקיף לה רב פפא ודילמא כשרבים מכתפין עליו בכומתא וסודרא Rav Pappa strongly objected to this argument, claiming that this proof can be refuted: But perhaps this applies only to a roof upon which many people place their hats [kumta] and shawls when they are in need of rest. Even if the people in the public domain are not situated within ten handbreadths of the roof, they can still use it conve …

The Benefits of Marriage for Men Kiddushin 82 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 3rd, 2023

In our Mishna on Amud Aleph, a bachelor is referred to as a Ravak, with its Hebrew root being רק, meaning empty. As I've emphasized numerous times in the Psychology of the Daf, Hebrew is a language rich in meaning, and delving into the roots of words provides extraordinary anthropological and psychological insights. According to the Wikipedia entry, the English word "bachelor" has an unknown origin, with its first attestation in the 12th centur …

The Beginning of Wisdom Kiddushin 33 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 15th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us why Rabbi Yochanan would stand up and honor a gentile, elderly person: רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן הֲוָה קָאֵי מִקַּמֵּי סָבֵי דְאַרְמָאֵי. אָמַר: כַּמָּה הַרְפַּתְקֵי עֲדוֹ עֲלַיְיהוּ דְּהָנֵי. רָבָא מֵיקָם לָא קָאֵי, הִידּוּר עָבֵד לְהוּ. Rabbi Yoḥanan himself would stand before Aramean, i. …

The Bark of Sin is Worse than the Bite Sanhedrin 78 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 5th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph continues its discussion of various indirect forms of murder, including the case of one who causes a snake to bite a person.
There is a dispute regarding how direct this action is, and according to our Gemara’s analysis, it depends on where the venom is located. Rabbi Yehuda holds that the venom is upon the snake’s fangs. Therefore, in this case, the entire action is performed by the individual who embed …

The Attitudes, Behaviors and Cognitions that Lead to Sin Bava Kama 2 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 3rd, 2023

Our Gemara begins by describing four principal kinds of damages: מַתְנִי' אַרְבָּעָה אֲבוֹת נְזִיקִין הַשּׁוֹר וְהַבּוֹר וְהַמַּבְעֶה וְהַהֶבְעֵר MISHNA: There are four primary categories of damage: The category of Ox; and the category of Pit; and the category of Maveh, which, based on a discussion in the Gemara, refers either to the tooth of an animal that causes damage or t …

The Atheist who is a Masmid Bava Basra 8 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 3rd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph continues to discuss the protective power of Torah study:   אדנביאי – דכתיב: ״גם כי יתנו בגוים עתה אקבצם, ויחלו מעט ממשא מלך ושרים״ – אמר עולא: פסוק זה בלשון ארמית נאמר: ״אי תנו״ כולהו – ״עתה אקבצם״, ואם ״מעט״ מהם – ״יחלו ממשא מלך ושרים״.   And you have tran …

The Arrogant Self Versus the Pure Self Nazir 52 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 16th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the quantity of blood from a corpse that is sufficient to impart impurity as if a full corpse was present.  This amount is known as a “revi’is”, which is a quarter log, approximately 3.8 ounces.  The Gemara Chullin (72a) bases this amount on the amount of blood needed to maintain a form of life, thus it embodies the soul. (While this is scientifically difficult to understand, Tosafos S …

The Anti-Avraham Bava Basra 21 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 16th, 2024

  Our Gemara on Amud Aleph offers ancient wisdom and ideas regarding pedagogy of young school children:   אמר ליה רב לרב שמואל בר שילת: עד שית לא תקביל, מכאן ואילך – קביל, ואספי ליה כתורא. ואמר ליה רב לרב שמואל בר שילת: כי מחית לינוקא, לא תימחי אלא בערקתא דמסנא. דקארי – קארי, דלא קארי – ל …

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 …

The Animal Within Bava Kamma 37 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 8th, 2023

Our Mishna on Amud Aleph rules that even if an ox will become forewarned, that is, established as one who tends to gore its own kind, it is not established as dangerous to other species. Likewise, if it is established to gore humans, it is not automatically established to gore animals. Based on this, Yismach Moshe (Vayeshev) raises an aggadic contradiction. The Gemara Shabbos (151a) teaches: An animal does not overpower a person until he appears …

The Ancient Breathalyzer Yevamos 60 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 6th, 2022

Our Gemara on amud beis discusses two kinds of litmus tests used to determine status and purity of young maidens.  There were two tests, each one given at different times in history: In regard to the Moabite captives, whom were to be spared only if they were young enough to not have any sense of sexuality (which was age 3). The maidens were presented before the Golden Headplate that the Cohen Gadol wore (Tzitz Hazahav).  If the face of …

The Adolescent Brain and Torah Thought Gittin 65 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 20th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph delves into the stages of maturity and de-facto challenges the popular misconception that reaching the age of bar or bas mitzvah automatically grants full adulthood according to Jewish law. The rabbis recognized that maturity and judgment are not black-and-white distinctions, as evidenced by their ruling that individuals under the age of 20 do not possess the full capacity to sell inherited real estate. In addition, Gemar …

The Accidental Heretic Sanhedrin 62 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 17th, 2025

Our Gemara on amud beis discusses the degree of liability when a person commits idolatry but is unaware that the Torah forbids it. The Gemara’s primary focus is on whether and what kind of sacrifice must be brought. However, we will set aside that aspect and explore a different dimension of this topic: How does the Torah relate to accidental heresy? What if a yerei shamayim—a God-fearing and sincere seeker of truth—misinterprets …

The Absence of Love Can Feel Like Hate Yevamos 23 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 30th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph states that should a person attempt to marry someone who is prohibited by a lo saase (chayevei lavin - prohibition without additional consequence of kares or death penalty), the marriage bond is valid. This is in comparison to a prohibited relationship that incurs kares or death, wherein the marriage would not be valid. The Gemara uses a scriptural deduction from the first born inheritance rules to prove that marriage to …

That New Car Smell (and the First Scratch) Zevachim 6

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September 12th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis notes that the two goats sacrifices brought on Shavuous serve as atonement for defiling of the Temple — by entering it while ritually impure, or for defiling its sacrificial foods by partaking of them while ritually impure.
The Gemara asks: once the blood of the first goat is sprinkled on the altar, thereby atoning for this defilement, for what sin is the second one sacrificed?
The Gemara answers the second goat is …

Thanksgiving is Timeless Zevachim 76 Psychology of the Daf

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November 28th, 2025

The Gemara on this daf continues its discussion of mevi’in kodshim l’beis hapisul—one may not limit the time of the consumption of an offering, causing the sacrificial animals to enter the status of unfitness prematurely.For example, if an Asham guilt offering was intermingled with a Shelamim peace offering. The potential problem is that the Asham is consumed in one day and the subsequent evening, while the Shelamim for two days with the ev …

Thank You, Next Day Zevachim 55 Psychology of the Daf

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November 7th, 2025

Our Mishna on Amud Aleph discusses the rule of the thanksgiving offering: it can only be eaten on the day and subsequent evening of its offering. A thanksgiving sacrifice is brought in response to an event where a person was in mortal danger and saved. This one-day time window is different from other shelamim, which allow an additional day.
The Abravanel (Tzav) explains that since the owner has only one day to eat all that meat, he will invite …

Thank G-d, I am Guilty: The Psychology of Gomel Zevachim 50 Psychology of the Daf

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November 3rd, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the thanksgiving offering, noting that since it is voluntary, maaser sheni can be used. While one should bring a thanksgiving sacrifice, it is apparently not as obligatory as a chattas or other ritual requirement.There is an equivalency between the Todah sacrifice and the Gomel blessing said after miraculous salvation—one substitutes for the other (see Rashi Vayikra 17:12; Rashi Ksav Yad Menachos 79b; Rosh Ber …

Terms and Conditions May Apply Nedarim 61 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 25th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the dispute between Rabbi Yehuda and the Rabbis about if the Yovel Year is part of the next Shemitta Cycle (year one of seven). The rabbis hold that the Yovel year, in a certain sense, is outside of the counting. It is the 50th year but not part of the new cycle.  The Maharal notes in Nesiv HaTorah (1) that there are three mitzvos that have a man made sanctification: (1) Terumos and Maasros (2) Hafrashas Ch …

Tephiliphobia

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 15th, 2019

I have noticed a sociological psychological phenomenon amongst a segment of religious clients.  Certain otherwise observant people do not lay tefillin. From anecdotal evidence, it occurs with greater frequency than other lapses.  Individuals who otherwise observe kashrus, shabbos (even not using smartphones) still seem to have difficulty with tefillin. Logically, it is perplexing because tefillin as a mitzvah can be performed in approxi …

Temporary Problems,Timeless Halakha Yevamos 35 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 11th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph noticed a problematic halakha in the Mishna. There is a three month rule regarding a woman who was married prior. She cannot marry a second man until after three months in order to avoid confusion about paternity of the child. The Mishna tells us of a case of two brides who already had Kiddushin but accidentally got mixed up at the time of nisuin. If they were minors and unable to get pregnant, they can return to their hu …

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 …

Tefillin Without Shema - Did He Get the Yoke? Menachos 15 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

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January 29th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the principle that a person may bring his offering today and the accompanying libations from now until even ten days later. We have a teaching from Gemara Berachos (14b):
“Anyone who recites Shema without tefillin, it is as if… he has offered a burnt-offering without a meal-offering or a peace-offering without libations. Despite the fact that he fulfilled his obligation, his offering is incomplete.”
T …

Technically Permitted but May Still be Wrong Yevamos 20 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 27th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the famous principle of קדש עצמך במותר לך , to achieve a state of holiness by a abstaining even from that which is permitted. Although not exclusively, much of the applications of this principle is used in regard to sexuality, as in our Gemara and Rashi in the beginning of Parashas Kedoshim. The simple and best understanding of this is that indulgence without any restraint, even in matters that are …

Technically Not a Sin, Oh But it Is! Sotah 28 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 26th, 2023

  Our Gemara on amud aleph tells us that a husband who commits sins cannot expect the waters of Sotah to work.  He only has the right to make such moral demands on her if his own behavior is free of sin. דְּאִי אִית בֵּיהּ עָוֹן בָּדְקִי לֵיהּ מַיָּא כִּי אִית בֵּיהּ עָוֹן בְּדִידֵיהּ מִי בָּדְקִי לַהּ מַיָּא לְדִידַהּ וְהָא תַּנ …

Teacher or Student? Bava Kamma 117 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 27th, 2024

Our Gemara describes an interlude with Rabbi Yochanan, where he misjudges a student, Rav Kahana, several times:   Originally Rav Kahana was seated in the front row of the Shiur, as his reputation preceded him. However he was under instructions by his master, Rav, to not ask any questions in Rabbi Yochanan’s Shiur for seven years. Therefore, he appeared in the Shiur as a lackluster scholar whose hype was not commensurate with his perfor …

Teach Them a Lesson Nedarim 79 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 12th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a scenario where a husband affirms his wife's vow with spiteful intention, while in his heart still intending to annul it. The phrase the Gemara uses is “להקניט” which I think we could fairly translate as “to engage in quarrel, or to provoke”. The best word might be “incite”, which does bear homophonic similarity, but I have not been able to find an etymological link. Th …

Teach, Pray, Love Nedarim 9 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 3rd, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us the famous story of Shimon Hatzaddik’s encounter with a pious and sincere Nazir. Shimon Hatzaddik kisses the young man on his head, apparently in the courtyard of the Beis HaMikdash.  The problem with this is that it seems to contradict a ruling of the Rama (OC 98:1): It is forbidden for a person to kiss one's small* children in synagogue, in order to fix in one's heart that there is no love like the lo …

Tasteless Sin Bava Basra 17!Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 12th, 2024

Our Gemara at the end of 16b and beginning 17a teaches us that certain great tzaddikim were able to get a taste of the World to Come, while still alive on this earth. One of these righteous persons was our forefather, Yaakov.   Be’er Mayyim Chaim (Bereishis 32:33) expands on this concept with an interesting take in regard to the ancient Jewish custom and prohibition of not eating the sciatic nerve.   After Yaakov’s mostly su …

Taming the Wild Beast within Man Yevamos 61 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 6th, 2022

Our Gemara on the top of Amud Aleph distinguishes gentile corpses versus Jewish corpses, in that Jewish corpses render anything and anyone else tamey that is under the same roof as the deceased. The proof text is: And you My sheep, the sheep of My pasture, are men [adam]” (Ezekiel 34:31), from which it is derived that you, the Jewish people, are called men [adam] but gentiles are not called men [adam]. Since the Torah introduces the halakha …

Taming the Beast Within Bava Metzia 5 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 3rd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the parameters of the prohibition against jealously desiring the possessions of another. According to the simple reading of our Gemara, this prohibition applies even when the person is willing to make full payment and purchase the object. If so, is it ever permitted to see something that belongs to another and offer to purchase it? Perhaps it is not allowed to initiate an offer to buy items that are not for comme …

Talmudic Panic Attacks Bava Kama 80 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 21st, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the plight of a pious person who suffered pain in his heart. He was recommended a treatment of fresh goat's milk suckled directly from the goat, which involved a violation of rabbinic law of keeping cattle in Eretz Yisrael. His colleagues criticized him for this transgression. Maharsha asks, why should he be held liable as this was apparently a serious medical condition? He answers, perhaps this was a condition …

Talmudic Insomnia Cures Eruvin 104 Psychology of the Daf

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 20th, 2020

One may draw up wine from a barrel with a siphon [diyofei], and one may drip water from a vessel that releases water in drops [miarak], for an ill person on Shabbat. מַעֲלִין בִּדְיוֹפִי וּמַטִּיפִין מֵיאֶרֶק לַחוֹלֶה בַּשַּׁבָּת. Essentially the Gemara is discussing generating white noise to allow an ill person to fall asleep or stay asleep. This is an excellent technique for insomnia, li …

Talmudic Good Samaritan Law Kesuvos 18 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 24th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the Talmudic equivalent of the Good Samaritan Law. Namely, that even though ordinarily someone who makes a partial admission to a claim is Biblically obligated to make an oath (Shevuas Modeh Bemiktzas), if he is returning a lost object, the rabbis exempted him.  To illustrate, ordinarily if Reuven accuses Shimon of owing him $100, and Shimon denies it, Shimon is Biblically exempt as there is no proof or gro …

Talmudic BDS: Boycott Dove Sacrifices Bava Basra 166 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 8th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph describes a situation where Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel fought against a situation of price gouging. There was a shortage of sacrificial doves necessary for new mothers to bring as an offering to complete their purification process which led to a price spike. Fearing this would cause people despair and possibly to give up on the whole ritual, he enacted an emergency measure, allowing certain sacrifices to double up even tho …

Talent on Loan From God Nedarim 84 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 17th, 2023

The late conservative talk show host, Rush Limbaugh, used to open his show with the tagline, “Talent on Loan from God”.  Whatever your opinion about his politics or character, the idea that talent is on loan from God was a brilliant and humble statement. Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the concept of “Tovas Hana’ah”, which is the benefit of control and assignment that exists for certain forms of Kodesh and Tze …

Taking Your Measurements Gittin 87 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 11th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis delves into the practices of a group of scrupulous sages known as the "נקיי הדעת שבירושלים" or "those of pure intellectual and characterological disposition." In this context, the Gemara discusses their preference for using precise words and avoiding unnecessary elaboration, especially when dealing with legal matters like a divorce bill. Rather than adding the descriptor "witness," they simply sign their n …

Taking Your Measurements as a Leader Sotah 45 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 12th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud aleph  discusses the ritual of the unsolved murder. The verses state in the beginning of Devarim 21: כִּי־יִמָּצֵ֣א חָלָ֗ל בָּאֲדָמָה֙ אֲשֶׁר֩ ה׳ אלקיך  נֹתֵ֤ן לְךָ֙ לְרִשְׁתָּ֔הּ נֹפֵ֖ל בַּשָּׂדֶ֑ה לֹ֥א נוֹדַ֖ע מִ֥י הִכָּֽהוּ׃  If, in the land that your God gives you as an inheritance a fallen corpse sh …

Taking Trauma Personally Kesuvos 82 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 25th, 2022

Who wants to get married more, a man or a woman? Elsewhere in Psychology of the Daf (Yevamos 107) we discussed social research on gender attitudes toward marriage and various rabbinic assumptions. Today we will look at a different angle of willingness versus reluctance to marry.  Our Gemara on Amud Beis reports at first they would write the kesuba, but set aside the funds instead of having the husband’s entire estate subject to a lien. …

Taking the High Road to hell to the Brothel? Testing the Yetzer and the Soul Avodah Zarah 17 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

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July 4th, 2025

Our Gemara (end of Amud Aleph to beginning of Amud Beis) relates a philosophical ethical debate between Rabbi Chanina and Rabbi Yonasan:“Rabbi Chanina and Rabbi Yonasan were once walking along the road when they came to two paths: one led to a place of idol worship, the other to a brothel.
One said: Let us go by the path of the idol worship, as that inclination has been slaughtered.
The other said: Let us go by the path of the brothel and …

Taking Responsibility and Returning to Self Bava Basra 173 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 15th, 2024

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

Taking Mitzvos “Light”ly Yevamos 95 Psychology of the Daf Yomi

Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 10th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud aleph refers to Adultery as an Issur Kal, a relatively light prohibition, which Rashi (“makom”) explains is because the prohibition is not permanent, i.e. it lifts after divorce or death.  Presumably, the Gemara does not equate the severity of the transgression and the punishment (death), with the technical aspects of the mitzvah that make it considered less severe than other forms of forbidden relations that r …

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& …

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