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 ” ( …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 11th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the prohibition of Shaatnez, a mixing of wool and linen, and how despite this general prohibition, it is permitted to mix wool and linen in Tzitzis. The Recanti (Ki Tetze 12) “weaves” a Brilliant symbolic explanation of both the prohibition of Shaatnez and why it’s permitted in Tzitzis. I will borrow from what he said, summarize and inject some of my own psychological understanding. It all begin …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 13th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes the verse in Vayikra 13:3 אִ֣ישׁ אִמּ֤וֹ וְאָבִיו֙ תִּירָ֔אוּ וְאֶת־שַׁבְּתֹתַ֖י תִּשְׁמֹ֑רוּ אֲנִ֖י הֹ אֱלֹקיכֶֽם׃ ⁦You shall each revere your mother and your father, and keep My sabbaths: I am your God. The juxtaposition of the command to honor parents and to guard the Shabbos teaches that even though the obligation to honor parent …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 14th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis references a verse, (Vayikra 7:7), “ כַּֽחַטָּאת֙ כָּֽאָשָׁ֔ם The guilt offering is like the sin offering”, and discusses features, differences and similarities of the sin offering in comparison to the guilt offering. Roughly, a sin offering (chattas) is brought for sins committed without awareness of the prohibition, that would have incurred kares if done intentionally (Rambam laws of un …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 15th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes one of the key verses in regard to sexual prohibitions: ויקרא י״ח : כט כִּ֚י כׇּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר יַעֲשֶׂ֔ה מִכֹּ֥ל הַתּוֹעֵבֹ֖ת הָאֵ֑לֶּה וְנִכְרְת֛וּ הַנְּפָשׁ֥וֹת הָעֹשֹׂ֖ת מִקֶּ֥רֶב עַמָּֽם׃ ⁦All who do any of those abhorrent things—such persons shall be cut off from their people. The verse describ …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 16th, 2022

Since today is Ta’anis Esther we will tie something from the Daf to a Maharal on Megillas Esther. Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the concept of the Hebrew letter vav, which within scripture, can indicate that whatever is taught in the latter clause also applies to the former clause. In the Maharal’s Commentary on Megillas Esther (Ohr Chadash 1:10) he notes an interesting configuration of letter vavs in the verse that lists Achashv …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 17th, 2022

Our Gemara discusses the marriageability status of anusas aviv, that is a woman whom one’s father was sexual with, but did not marry. One is forbidden to marry or be sexual with a woman who was wedded to his father, even if not his mother. However, there is a dispute between Rabbi Yehuda and the sages regarding a woman who was sexual with one’s father outside of wedlock, either via rape or mutual interest (see Mishna on 97a).  Ra …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 18th, 2022

Our Gemara discusses the halakha of Machazir Gerushaso, which is the prohibition to remarry a divorced wife, once she married someone in between. Instead of discussing the halachos, let us look into the mystical and symbolic teachings that have been triggered by this human pattern of connection and disconnection.  We have noted many times in Psychology of the Daf the ways in which the relationship between God and the Jewish people is describ …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 18th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a valuable moral principle: “A person should not pour the leftover water from his well when others are in need of it.”. In our Gemara’s case, it refers to a situation where there are two co-wives and one can do chalitza to either. If one of them is already invalid for marriage to a cohen, he should choose to do chalitza to her. Thus, the other widow could have a chance to marry a cohen in the f …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 20th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the prohibition of tearing or cutting skin out of grief. The verse states (Devarim 14:1): בָּנִ֣ים אַתֶּ֔ם לַה׳ אֱלֹהקיכֶ֑ם לֹ֣א תִתְגֹּֽדְד֗וּ וְלֹֽא־תָשִׂ֧ימוּ קׇרְחָ֛ה בֵּ֥ין עֵינֵיכֶ֖ם לָמֵֽת׃ ⁦You are children of your God. You shall not gash yourselves or shave the front of your heads because of the dead. Tosafo …
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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 …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 22nd, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us how they inquired of Rabbi Yehoshua to rule over the dispute of Shammai and Hillel regarding the co-wife of a forbidden relation who falls to Yibum. He declares that he does not want to “stick his head between two great mountains”, i.e., between two great disputing opinions, between Beit Shammai and Beit Hillel, “out of fear lest these two mountains break my skull.” Ben Yehoyada wonders why …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 23rd, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph teaches us that the rabbis decreed that “One does not accept converts from the Tarmodim.” Likutei Moharan (59) tells us that there are some people who are so evil that it is forbidden to draw them close to Judaism and bring them into service of God. He cites the mixed multitude that Moshe accepted from the Egyptians, who only caused trouble. God blamed Moshe for naively accepting their bid to join the Exodus. …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 24th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the scriptural source for אשת אחיו שלא היה בעולמו. What is אשת אחיו שלא היה בעולמו? Although there are variations, the simple case is that of Reuven who married Rachel, and then dies childless. After Reuven dies, Reuven’s father has another boy (through Reuven’s mother or another wife), Shimon, who is of course Reuven’s brother. Ordinarily Shimon, who is a b …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 25th, 2022

Our Gemara on this Amud discusses numerous circumstances of chalitzah must be chosen over Yibum. A fundamental question that has been discussed by poskim is if Chalitzah is it’s own Mitzvah, somehow a fulfillment of Yibum, or is it more comparable to the “Mitzvah” of Jewish divorce. That is to say, when one is in a situation that requires a dissolution of the marriage, it is a Mitzvah to perform it properly with a Get. In lomdis …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 29th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph states that a convert is considered as if he or she are newly born. This is not just a metaphor, but actually of halakhic significance, removing genetic relatives from the prohibited sexual relations, should they both convert. (They are still prohibited rabbinically because it would have the appearance of impropriety.) A person can make such a major change in commitment and attitude that he actually becomes a different pe …
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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 …
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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 …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 1st, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the famous principle:
אָדָם קָרוֹב אֵצֶל עַצְמוֹ, וְאֵין אָדָם מֵשִׂים עַצְמוֹ רָשָׁע A person is his own relative. Consequently, he may not testify about himself, just as the testimony of any relative is disqualified. And furthermore, a person does not make himself wicked. His testimony with regard to his own actions is inadmissible because he is his ow …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 2nd, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the circumstances of the Mishna on 25b. A judge who was unable to find grounds to annul a woman’s vows, which led to her getting divorced, may not marry that woman. This is to prevent appearances of improper bias, such as the judge having a secret motive to marry her, thus sabotaging her current marriage. 
It is important for judges to maintain the highest standards and be free of suspicion. Yet …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 3rd, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the well known Talmudic principle Of רובו ככולו the majority is considered as if it is the complete whole. There are numerous halakhic applications of this principle such as slaughtering most of the animal’s windpipe and foodpipe counts as it being fully cut, or closing most of a walled area as if it is fully closed. 
The Chasam Sofer (OC #140) discusses a famous question: If we say tha …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 4th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us that a certain Mishna could not be understood by Rabbi Yochanan. That is he could not find a single Tanna’s position that could satisfactorily explain the halakhic outcome of the Mishna. We won’t get into the specific shakla v’tarya of the Gemara other than to note that part of Rabbi Yochanan’s assertion hinged on maintaining that the halakha does not factor in a concern of death in otherw …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 5th, 2022

Our Mishna on Amud Aleph discusses a scenario where unfortunately a person can end up having to divorce a woman whom he “married” through the action of ma’amar (which is the rabbinic Kiddushin-prelude to formal Yibum.) Should a second brother who was married to this woman’s sister also die childless, he now will have to divorce his current wife and do chalitzah to her, and do chalitzah to the sister. Why? Since ma’am …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 6th, 2022

Our Mishna on Amud Aleph discusses the scenario of a woman whose sister married her husband’s brother, and there is also another brother as well. The Mishna goes on to discuss what happens if the brother married to sister number one died childless, and then the other brother who was not married to the sister does Yibum. Should this brother also die childless, the third brother has no Mitzvah of Yibum since his dead brother’s wife also …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 7th, 2022

Our Gemara on amud aleph mentions that statistically, divorce is frequent, relative to a death by cave in and collapse of a building.  While we are on the topic of divorce statistics, I think we can all agree, that based on our own personal experiences, divorce is more prevalent now than other times in Jewish history. Fun fact:  In the Introduction to the eighth volume of the Iggeros Moshe, there is a biography of Rav Moshe that goes on …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 8th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph brings the opinion of Rabbi Yose who holds that in many situations we say, one prohibition does not fall upon another.  For example, if one were to engage in sexual relations with a woman who is forbidden on two counts, such as his mother in law, who also happens to be married, he incurs the penalty of the first prohibition that was activated even if the second prohibition has a more severe punishment.  The pena …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 9th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph continues a discussion from the previous Amud. One case under consideration is when a non-cohen eats from a chattas bird offering. Since the bird sin offering is slaughtered in an unusual manner, through melika, it is also considered to be a non-slaughtered corpse, aside from also being a sacrificial food forbidden to a non-cohen. To clarify, a typical bird or beast must be slaughtered from the front of the neck in a slic …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 10th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us Er’s motivation to prevent Tamar’s pregnancy was so that her beauty not be sullied from the rigors of pregnancy and childbirth. From the reading of this Gemara one might draw the conclusion that the idea itself of concern about the rigors of pregnancy and the impact on beauty is an unworthy thought. As if to say, we should be above all those base physical concerns. However, Bereishis Rabbah (45:4) indi …
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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 …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 12th, 2022

  Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the halakhic principle that one should not marry a woman who is still nursing a child, as she may become pregnant, and this could disrupt her milk supply.  The Gemara wonders why this concern is only active with the second husband, as even with her first husband she might become pregnant and interrupt the milk supply?  The Gemara concludes that in either case, the woman will use birth control.&nb …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 13th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes the verse in Vayikra 19:29: אַל־תְּחַלֵּ֥ל אֶֽת־בִּתְּךָ֖ לְהַזְנוֹתָ֑הּ וְלֹא־תִזְנֶ֣ה הָאָ֔רֶץ וּמָלְאָ֥ה הָאָ֖רֶץ זִמָּֽה Do not degrade your daughter and make her a harlot, lest the land fall into harlotry and the land be filled with depravity. Rashi explains the verse as follows: Scripture speaks of one who gives his unmarr …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 14th, 2022

Our Gemara on amud beis notes a dispute between Shamai and Hillel regarding the status of debt recorded in a valid note signed by witnesses. Shamai holds that a debt recorded in a bill of debt that is awaiting collection is as though it was already collected to the extent that the creditor is considered to be in possession of the debt. Hillel holds it is still considered uncollected.  
This has significance in relation to a situat …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 15th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a time when it was decided that Chalitzah is preferred over Yibum. The reason is as Yibum  is essentially a violation of marrying the wife of a brother, it should only be permitted if the mitzvah is performed with pure intentions instead of lustful ends.  The Gemara then entertains a suggestion that at a later date, they reverted back to recommending Yibum over Chalitzah, to which they Gemara incredulou …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 15th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph references the custom in Judea (Mishna Kesuvos 1:5) of allowing the betrothed bride and groom to have a period of time to be alone together. (They are married through Kiddushin but have not yet completed nisuin.)
Rashi (“Chutz”) explains:
“That he be accustomed and playful with her, so they not be embarrassed of each other when they consummate on the wedding night.”
While this cus …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 15th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses various strategies to determine paternity without requiring a woman to wait three months after a divorce, or death, to remarry.  The Gemara asks, why is it necessary to wait three months? She can wait a week or two, and then remarry.  Should she show the physical signs of pregnancy at the three month mark, it is obvious that she is pregnant from her first husband. (According to the medicine of the Gema …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 16th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph mentions the well-known principal that the consumption of the sacrifices by the cohanim of somehow effectuates the atonement of the owners of the sacrifice.
The Shalah (Aseres Hadibros maseches Ta’anis Torah Ohr 5:14) explains this idea in a novel manner:
Fasting is a primary form of penitence, whose aims are to repair indulgences that were not appropriate by holding back on pleasure. However, there may …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 19th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis declares: Granted, from a marriage (nusuin), even without a feast, there is joy. But from a betrothal (eirusin) without a feast, is there any joy? It is merely a legal ceremony. The Meshech Chokhma (זאת הברכה י ) compares the two phases of marriage to two phases of relating to Torah. As we know, in regard to Torah and marriage, their is a famous play on words (Pesachim 49b): Moshe commanded us the Torah, an inheri …
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