29th Annual Conference
Thursday, January 7 - Sunday, January 10, 2027
Complimentary Pre-Conference: Wednesday, January 6, 2027
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Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R The Daf Yomi through a Psychological Lens.
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Showing Results 0 - 40 (2325 total)
Light Mitzvah, Long Life Chulin 142
Author:
September 11th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph reasons a kal v’chomer about the rewards for mitzvos: “If with regard to the sending away of the mother bird, which is a mitzvah whose performance is simple, as it entails a loss of no more than an issar coin, i.e., the value of the mother bird, the Torah says: ‘That it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days’ (Deuteronomy 22:7), it may be derived by kal v’chomer inference that the reward is no …
A Home That Guards and Glows Chulin 135
Author:
September 11th, 2026

Our Gemara at the end of Amud Beis, heading into the next daf, speaks of the requirement that the mezuzah be placed on the right side of the doorway when facing it during entry. Shem MiShmuel (Miketz 5) makes a brilliant distinction. The Chanukah menorah is placed on the left side—or, as he says, on the right side facing the exit. Why? It has to do with the function of the mitzvah. The function of the mezuzah is to protect the inside from any o …
Greater Than His Brethren? No! Because of His Brethren Chulin 134
Author:
September 11th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Beis derives from a verse that the High Priest is granted special status and privileges:“And the priest who is greater than his brethren” (Vayikra 21:10) indicates that the High Priest should be greater than his priestly brethren in beauty, in wisdom, and in wealth.”
“From where is it derived that if the High Priest does not have property of his own, his brethren the priests elevate him and render him wealthy from th …
New Ideas About Idolatry and Sacrifice Chulin 133
Author:
September 10th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph rules: Any priest who does not believe in the validity of the sacrificial rites has no portion in the gifts of the priesthood.
What is the exact definition of “not believing”? Rashi (132b) says that he does not believe sacrifices are a Torah law, but rather an idea that Moshe made up. Chasam Sofer on our Gemara considers Rashi’s answer difficult: what would be the reason for the priest to doubt that one aspect of …
Tongue with Mustard: And Avraham’s Prayer Chulin 132
Author:
September 9th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses how the priestly gifts are to be consumed by the Kohanim (that is, the foreleg, the jaw, and the stomach from animals that are eaten, this portion are given to the Kohanim). They should be eaten in the manner that kings eat—roasted and with mustard.
According to tradition, Avraham served the visiting angels three calves, and specifically tongue with mustard. Is there a connection?
The Gemara (Bava Metzia …
When Repenting Do Not Cut it Too Close Chulin 131
Author:
September 8th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph cites the verse that instructs Jewish farmers to leave aside certain produce from the vineyard: the peret (grapes that drop during the harvest), the olelos (undeveloped clusters that grow singly rather than on branches), forgotten clusters, and pe’ah (the corner of the vineyard or field left for the poor). It states in Vayikra (19:9–10):
“When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap all the way to t …
Can God Owe Someone? Chulin 130
Author:
September 7th, 2026

There are halachic monetary rulings that recommend making payment for damages even if legally there is not an absolute requirement. Our Gemara on Amud Beis makes a linguistic distinction regarding the word yeshalem, “to pay.” This word would not be used in regard to something that according to the strict letter of the law has no obligation, even if there is still an extra ethical charge to take liability.
Parashas Derachim (Derush 26) note …
Recycling Is for People Who Have 1.5 Children and a Dog Chulin 129
Author:
September 6th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the status of a severed human limb, which when whole, transmits impurity similar to that of a corpse. There is a discussion in poskim about whether there is an obligation to bury such a limb, and these questions do have relevance in halacha, such as if somebody needed an amputation or suffered from an accident where a limb was severed. The conclusion of the majority of poskim is that there is no technical require …
A Miracle Within a Miracle: When Nature Itself Breaks Character Chulin 127
Author:
September 4th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a particular miraculous phenomenon, but then describes it as a miracle within a miracle. In our Gemara the miracle was the production of a usually impossible crossbreed of animal, and the miracle within a miracle is that, as a providential punishment, the animal ended up terrorizing those immoral people who sought to breed such a creature against God’s will. That seems to be according to the simple reading of …
Earth and Flesh: When Masculine and Feminine Are Ideas, Not Anatomy Chulin 126
Author:
September 3rd, 2026

Our Mishna on Amud Beis speaks of a strange creature that seems to exist during its development as partially made of earth and partially of flesh. Rashi here and the Gemara later (127a) note that this creature does not come from sexual reproduction.
There is a mystical concept (GR”A, Safra Detzniusa 4, and Rasag on Sefer Yetzira 3:2) that everything in this world is a product of male and female. Sefer Daf al Daf quotes some who consider our …
Maaleh Arucha: When the Wound Itself Is the Dressing Chulin 125
Author:
September 2nd, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph uses an idiom that refers to skin healing and growing back, “Ma’aleh Arucha,” literally “bringing up or out a sheet of skin.” This phrase comes from Yirmiyahu (33:6):“I am going to bring her relief and healing (Ma’aleh Arucha). I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of true favor.”
The Malbim (ibid.) explains that sometimes, to promote healing of an internal injury, an area might be injured exter …
Even If Yehoshua Said It: Why Moshe Is Off-Limits and Yehoshua Is Not Chulin 124
Author:
September 1st, 2026

In our Gemara on Amud Aleph, Rav Ami makes a declaration in the middle of a dispute: “Even if Yehoshua bin Nun said it to me, I would not listen to him!”As a rhetorical statement of doubt, it would make more sense to say, “Even if Moshe said it to me…,” or to reference a future messianic time of Torah knowledge, “Even if Elijah the prophet said it to me…” What is the significance of using Yehoshua? This seems to be a deliberate ch …
Clothes Make the Emperor Chulin 123
Author:
August 31st, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph refers to a bizarre trophy that the Romans kept—a scalp of Rabbi Yishmael Kohen Godol, who was executed by the Romans. However, because his face was so unusually beautiful, the daughter of the Caesar asked that the skin be preserved.The Gemara (Avodah Zara 11b) relates that the Romans had a ritual, performed every seventy years which included the scalp of Rabbi Yishmael:
“Once every seventy years they bring a man w …
Rav Zeiras Burn Out Chulin 121
Author:
August 30th, 2026

Rashi on Amud Aleph explains why Rav Zeira was considered among the pious of Bavel, based on two stories about his life.
Bava Metzia (85a) tells us about Rav Zeira:
When Rabbi Zeira ascended from Babylonia to Eretz Yisrael, he fasted one hundred fasts so that he would forget the Babylonian method of studying Gemara, that it would not hinder him from adapting to the unique style of study prevalent in Eretz Yisrael. He fasted an additional on …
It Happens: Esthers Vtischalchal and the Body’s Uninvited Mussar Chulin 120
Author:
August 28th, 2026

Our Gemara uses a word to characterize something that penetrates—mechalchel. In Hebrew, Chal or Chol means hollow, as in something non-holy, which is Chulin, our mesechta’s name. Chulin is devoid of holiness, hollowed out, and therefore not sacred.
The phrase mechalchel comes up most notably in regard to Esther. When she finds out about the looming genocide that Haman lobbied for, her reaction is described as “vtischalchal” (Esther 4:4 …
Complete Writing, Incomplete Welcome: Kesiva Tamah and the Price of Acculturation Chulin 119
Author:
August 27th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Beis refers to a halachic requirement that the writing in tefilin, Sifrei Torah, and Mezuzos be kesiva tamah—a “complete” writing. Different Rishonim and poskim describe what constitutes complete writing, but in our Gemara this means letters with no gaps, and may also include the requirement to write well-formed letters and letters that are surrounded on all sides by blank parchment, as opposed to a letter on the edge of …
Bone of Contention: When the Bridge Transmits but Cannot Carry the Load Chulin 118
Author:
August 26th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses modes and bridges that transmit ritual impurity. Generally only foods or utensils are subject to impurity or transmit acquired impurity from one object to another. The Gemara examines the status of a non-edible item that is attached to a food and used to hold the food, such as a bone attached to a piece of meat. Can this bone conduct impurity from contact with something impure into the meat itself?
The Gemara …
Garments of the Past: Leaving Last Year’s Clothes in the Sanctuary Chulin 117
Author:
August 25th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the special requirement of the vestments worn by the Kohen Godol on Yom Kippur. The verse (Vayikra 16:23) states: “And he shall take off the linen garments, which he wore when he went into the Sanctuary, and shall leave them there.” Some understand this as a requirement that the garments may never be used again for any service, while another opinion holds they may not be used for another Yom Kippur. Regardle …
If You Had a Body, You’d Sin Too: The Angels Excuse Chulin 116
Author:
August 24th, 2026

As we discussed in Blogpost Psychology of the Daf Chulin 103, there is much debate and various proposals to resolve how the angels who visited Avraham could have eaten milk together with meat. Sefer
Daf al Daf offers an answer based on our Gemara on Amud Aleph, which states that Rabbi Yossi Haglili’s rationale for permitting chicken and milk is because the verse states “in its mother’s milk” (Shemos 23:19), and chicken does not have mo …
No Stumbling Block: Sanctifying Without Sinning Chulin 115
Author:
August 23rd, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph considers the permissibility or prohibition of certain foods or objects that were used for a sin — for example, according to one peshat in Rashi, the mother bird that was not sent away from the nest in violation of the commandment. The Gemara reasons that since there is still a command to send the bird away, how could the Torah send something forbidden out into the world? Even if it could be ruled as lost in the majorit …
Resident Aliens: Three Definitions of Ger Toshav Chulin 114
Author:
August 21st, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Beis refers to a certain non-Jewish resident of Israel. Though he is not a member of the tribe, there are still an obligation to still look after his welfare. This is known as a ger toshav, literally a resident stranger. The halachic definition of a ger toshav is subject to a three-way dispute:Gemara Avodah Zara (64b) reports:“Anyone who has accepted upon himself before three ḥaverim (i.e., before sages of a certain stature …
plitting Hairs Over Goats: Yehudas Precise Word Chulin 113
Author:
August 21st, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the precise meaning of the Hebrew words for goat “gedi,” and “gedi izim.” Since the verse uses both the specific gedi izim and then at other times gedi, it implies that this more specific gedi izim is only a goat, while the general term gedi can be any form of cattle.
Torah Temimah (Bereishis 27:16) raises an interesting question: The proof text cited by the Gemara is “and Judah sent the kid by his …
Delicate Palates and Sacrificial Bread: Rav Hunas Discreet Discomfort Chulin 112
Author:
August 20th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discussed a practice of Rav Huna. If roasted, unsalted meat was cut on a loaf of bread, he would give the bread to his assistant. The Gemara wonders: “If the loaf is permitted, it is permitted for everyone, including Rav Huna himself. And if it is prohibited, then it is prohibited for everyone, and he should not give it to his attendant.” The Gemara answers that in truth, he held it was permitted. However, he was of a …
Ladder Logic: Yaakovs Theological Reversal Chulin 110
Author:
August 18th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the rule that any positive mitzvah whose reward is stated alongside it in the Torah, the earthly court below is not warned to enforce it through punishments. The simple logic is that if the Torah went out of its way to explicitly state the consequences, it also indicates no need for further action or enforcement. (This is implied from Rashi ibid.)
Yismach Moshe (Vayeshev) expands on this idea, offering new ins …
The Bark Tastes the Same as the Bite - The Permitted in the Forbidden Chulin 109
Author:
August 17th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Beis famously discusses that every forbidden item in the Torah has an analogue that is permitted. For example, a certain fish that tasted like pork, or fats from a wild animal which is permitted, though similar in taste to cattle fats that are prohibited.What is the theological significance of this? Be’er Mayim Chaim (Bereishis 2:16 & 3:6) sees this in a straightforward manner. It would be too much temptation and an unrea …
What Milk in Meat Teaches About Peer Influence Chulin 108
Author:
August 16th, 2026

Our Gemara on this daf discusses the halachic dynamics of a drop of milk that falls on a piece of meat, which is in a pot with other pieces of meat. Some of the considerations include: if the pot is stirred right away, then the entire volume can be counted to nullify the small amount of milk. On the other hand, if the milk sits for a bit of time on the piece of meat, and this piece alone does not have enough volume to nullify it, now the entire p …
A Halacha That Doesn’t Change: Esavs Kiss and the Baseline of Hatred Chulin 107
Author:
August 14th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Beis describes the various rules regarding two people eating together, where one is eating meat and the other dairy:
“Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel says: Two unacquainted guests [akhsena’in] may eat together on one table, this one eating meat and that one eating cheese, and they need not be concerned lest they come to violate the prohibition of eating meat and milk by partaking of the food of the other.”
“Rav Ḥanan …
Sofer and Boor: What the Words Really Mean Chulin 106
Author:
August 14th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses rabbinic guidelines for two people sitting at a table who go to make a blessing separately, and when to make them together:
“If only two individuals ate, it is a mitzvah for them to separate. In what case is this statement said? It is said when they were both scribes, i.e., Torah scholars, who know how to recite Grace after Meals properly. But if one of them was a scribe (sofer) and one was an ignoramus (bo …
The Asteira Coins: Wise Choices and Delayed Returns Chulin 105
Author:
August 13th, 2026

Our Gemara discusses what seems to be practical and helpful business advice. However, at the end, I believe there is a subtle but powerful message, which I will highlight. Shmuel taught:
“One who patrols his property every day will find an asteira coin.”
The implication of Shmuel’s practical advice is that even a great sage must take time to tend his property and employ reasonable vigilance.
However, Rav Asi tries this method with …
In the Name of the One Who Said It: Credit and Redemption Chulin 104
Author:
August 12th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Beis relates the well-known rabbinic adage about the importance of relating information while giving credit to the original source:“Rather, this is what the mishna teaches us: Who is the first tanna? It is Rabbi Yosei. The identification is important, since whoever reports a statement in the name of the one who said it brings redemption to the world. As it is stated with respect to the incident of Bigthan and Teresh: ‘And E …
What Even a Child Knows: The Angels Second Argument Chulin 103
Author:
August 11th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the prohibitions of eating meat and milk together. While it is prohibited to cook meat and milk and eat the product of said cooking, the rabbis forbade eating milk and meat together even without cooking it.
There is an interesting Pesikta Rabbasi (25) that discusses this prohibition regarding the angels who ate by Avraham. Bereishis (18:8) records that Avraham served the angels butter, milk and meat. The Midra …
Reincarnation, Repetition, and the Weight We Carry
Author:
August 3rd, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes a proof text regarding prohibitions of eating a limb taken from a live animal (Devarim 12:23):
“But make sure that you do not partake of the blood; for the blood is the life (of a soul), and you must not consume the life (soul) with the flesh.”
There is a mystical interpretation to this verse, read more literally. The Hebrew word used for life is nefesh, which also means soul. From a kabbalistic point of …
The Sign You Don’t Notice: Shabbos, Tzitzis, and the Mekoshes
Author:
August 9th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Beis explains why Shabbos supersedes Yom Kippur in certain halachic situations:
“Shabbos is established and permanent, i.e., it always occurs on the seventh day of the week, whereas in the case of Yom Kippur, it is the court that establishes it, as the Sages determine the New Moon. Consequently, Shabbos is considered to have preceded Yom Kippur, and the prohibition to perform labor on Yom Kippur does not apply, due to the …
The Bricks and Mordars of Judaism
Author:
August 7th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Beis records a dispute between Rabbi Yehuda and the Sages regarding if the prohibition of Gid Hanashe is active in regard to a non-kosher animal:
“The prohibition of eating the sciatic nerve applies to a kosher animal and does not apply to a non-kosher animal. Rabbi Yehuda says: It applies even to a non-kosher animal. Rabbi Yehuda said in explanation: Wasn’t the sciatic nerve forbidden for the children of Jacob, as it is …
When Bad Advice is Good: Rabbi Amis Dilemma
Author:
August 7th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a practice of Rabbi Ami:
“When people would come before Rabbi Ami to ask about the Halacha of a thigh that was cooked with the sciatic nerve inside, he would send them before Rabbi Yitzḥak ben Ḥalov, who would rule leniently about this issue and say that it was permitted, in the name of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi. Rabbi Ami himself did not hold accordingly, but he did not wish to rule stringently for others …
One in Sixty: Moderation and the Nazirs Return
Author:
August 6th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the portion of the Nazir’s sacrifice that is given to the Kohen (the front leg). Halachically this is a unique process not performed in other sacrifices, in allowing lechatchila (ab initio) the mixing and nullification of a forbidden (sacred sacrificial portion, like Terumah) substance to cook with a permitted substance (portion of the animal that the Nazir will eat), as noted by our Gemara on Amud Beis. This …
The Aramite Chef and the Sparks of Divinity
Author:
August 5th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the concept of bitul, nullification of a non-kosher substance by a kosher majority to the point that the taste is no longer perceived. This can be determined by having a Gentile Chef (Kafila Arama’ah, literally an Aramite Chef) taste it to determine if there is any taste leftover from the non-kosher substance, or what is generally estimated by the rabbis as a ratio of 60 to 1.
Bnei Yissachar (Adar II:7) offe …
The Voice That Was not Enough: Yaakovs Overconfidence
Author:
August 4th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph offers a logical proof that voice recognition is a halachically valid way of verifying identification. Otherwise, how would a blind man ever be permitted to marry his wife? (Surely it’s not reasonable for him to continuously rely on other’s testimony.)In Bereishis (29:25) Yaakov is tricked by Lavan, discovering the morning after the wedding, that the woman in his bed was Leah, and not Rachel: “And it was in the morn …
Truth: The Foundation of the Soul Chulin 94
Author:
August 2nd, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the prohibition of intentionally misleading another person. This is called geneivas daas, literally stealing knowledge. Although the Halacha has many details, the basic prohibition is when one intentionally misleads another person in order to profit. The profit does not have to be financial; it could be good will, such as the cases discussed in our Gemara, where a person was led to believe that an extraordinary …
The Torah of Your Mother: Discipline, Guidance, and Self-Care Chulin 93
Author:
July 31st, 2026

In our Gemara on Amud Beis Rabbi Yochanan instructs Rav Shaman Bar Abba that though a particular food is permitted he should still refrain from eating it, quoting the end of the verse in Mishle (1:8), “And do not abandon the Torah of your mother.”
What did Rabbi Yochanan mean by Torah of your mother? Rashi interprets this as his custom minhag. Since he had a custom to be stringent and not eat this meat, Rabbi Yochanan said he should honor …
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