Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
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The Daf Yomi through a Psychological Lens.
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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 …
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Higher Standards Nazir 40 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 3rd, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes several verses in the Torah that serve as the source for the prohibition against shaving one’s beard with a razor, or possibly in a razor like fashion, depending on how it is interpreted by various poskim. There are two sets of verses that discuss prohibition, one having to do specifically with the Cohanim, and the other applied to all Jews. Halakhically, there is no distinction and our Gemara uses the t …
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Double Binds in Relationships Nazir 39 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 3rd, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph mentions in passing elderly men who dye their beards black to appear younger. This raises a question because there is a prohibition for men to dye their hair, as it is considered a feminine activity, and therefore a violation of a man appearing as a woman. (See Makkos 20b and Shulkhan Arukh OH 340:1). However, one might simply say this Gemara is talking about gentile elders, and from the context of the general discussion, …
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What Does it Take to Achieve Forgiveness for Sin? Nazir 38 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 2nd, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the principle that one does not receive the punishment of lashes for violating a general prohibition “lav shebichlalos”. The prohibition must be a specific item and not a broad or general category. Presumably, any time a negative commandment which also has some factor that lessens the intensity of the prohibition, it somewhat reduces the degree of punishment or reaction. There are other examples as we …
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Hitting Rock Bottom Nazir 37 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 1st, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes a verse in Vayikra (6:20) that uses a strange language, “Anything that touches the flesh of the sacrifice shall become consecrated.” It’s a difficult verse to understand. Is holiness somehow contagious? Our Gemara interprets it as referring to the principle that absorption of an essence affects the object to an extent that it takes on the prohibition of that which it absorbed. Noam Elimelech …
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Repenting is the Yeast You Could Do Nazir 36 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 28th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the prohibition of using leavened dough on the altar for sacrifices. Rabbenu Bechaye’s ethical treatise, Kad Hakemach (Pesach 1) offers a comprehensive explanation of the Torah’s symbolic aversion to chametz: Chametz represents the evil inclination. Like the slow leavening of dough, the evil within a personality creeps up and can overtake without proper vigilance. Pesach represents a potential …
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Give the Devil His Due Nazir 35 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 27th, 2023
Tosafos on Amud Aleph (“Rava”) discusses the possibility that an ox or donkey which was used in the sinful acts of either plowing together (which is a forbidden mixture, Devarim 22:10) or threshing while muzzled (ibid, 25:4) would be invalided to use as a sacrifice. The Keren Orah asks in regard to the scenario of threshing with a muzzle, but the action of the threshing itself was not a sin. That is, the ox did not participate in this …
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Laws Masquerading as Morality Nazir 34 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 26th, 2023
Our Mishna on Amud Aleph and the rest of the daf begins a discussion about the various prohibitions and foods that the Nazir is restricted from. The verses spell out four different kinds of wine related products (Bamidbar 6:3-4): מִיַּ֤יִן וְשֵׁכָר֙ יַזִּ֔יר חֹ֥מֶץ יַ֛יִן וְחֹ֥מֶץ שֵׁכָ֖ר לֹ֣א יִשְׁתֶּ֑ה וְכׇל־מִשְׁרַ֤ת עֲנָבִים֙ …
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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 …
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Everything is a Process Nazir 32 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 24th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes a verse in Yirmiyahu (7:4): אַל־תִּבְטְח֣וּ לָכֶ֔ם אֶל־דִּבְרֵ֥י הַשֶּׁ֖קֶר לֵאמֹ֑ר הֵיכַ֤ל ה׳, היכל ה׳, היכל ה׳ המה Don’t put your trust in illusions and say, “The Temple of the LORD, the Temple of the LORD, the Temple of the LORD are these [buildings].” The Triple repetition seems to be understood by our Gemara as alluding …
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Fake it Till You Make it Nazir 31 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 23rd, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph continues the discussion of Hekdesh Taus, the idea that a consecration that is made in error can still be valid. There is a lovely Chassidish Vort on this idea from Sefer Ramasayim Tzofim (Siman 1). Though we do not pasken Hekdesh Taus remains consecrated, even Bais Hillel admits that it is true under certain circumstances. Such as, erroneously declaring the ninth or eleventh animal as tithed, or in the law of …
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Bais Shammai and Top Down Thinking Nazir 30 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 22nd, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis (continuing to 31a) discusses a dispute between Bais Shammai and Bais Hillel regarding if an item is declared consecrated for the Bais Hamikdash in error. Bais Shammai holds it remains sanctified, while Bais Hillel holds that since its inception was in error, the sanctification never takes hold. We have discussed elsewhere in Psychology of the Daf (Eiruvin 13) how thematically Bais Shammai relates to an ideal state, Edenic …
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Affluenza Nazir 29 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 21st, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a possible reason that the rabbis granted a father rights to declare his minor son a Nazir. The rabbis subsumed this under the general obligation of chinuch, the rabbinic directive to accustom a child in the practice of mitzvos. The Maharitz Chayes raises the following question: “We are aware that the idea of the mitzvah of Chinuch is to gradually accustom a child to his obligations so that he not be sudde …
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Shabbos Mindset Nazir 28 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 20th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a scenario where the Shalmei Atzeres, the Sacrifices brought on Shavuous were not slaughtered with intention of the correct sacrifice. On Yom Tov, it is permitted to sprinkle the blood so at least the sacrifice can be salvaged and eaten as an ordinary shelamim sacrifice. However, the blood cannot be sprinkled on Shabbos due to the rabbinic prohibition of “mesaken”, which is considered fixing or repair …
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No Atheists in the Grave Nazir 27 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 19th, 2023
Our Gemara on amud beis discusses how a son cannot bring his father’s sin offerings in his place. The basic idea is Ein Kapparah Lamesim, people who are dead cannot have atonement via the offerings of their descendants. (See Horiyos 6a, Commentary of Tosafos Harosh ibid “veha”, Rashi Meilah 10b “Velad”.) While this has been stated in terms of the ritualary aspect of sacrifices, we all know from live …
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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 …
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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 …
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Who Gets Married First? Nazir 24 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 16th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph (and the previous Amud) takes a positive spin on the incestuous actions of Lot’s daughters. From their perspective, seeing the destruction of Sodom, they thought the world had come to an end. They saw it as their duty to repopulate the earth even if it meant having relations with their father. As such, since it was in their mind a mitzvah, so it was. (See yesterday’s Psychology of the Daf, Nazir 23.) א …
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Can a Sin be the Will of God? Nazir 23 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 15th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the phenomenon of a sin that was not committed, but only due to technical interference. In other words, the person really wanted to commit the sin, just somehow circumstances prevented him from doing so: תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן אִישָׁהּ הֲפֵרָם וַה׳ יִסְלַח לָהּ בְּאִשָּׁה שֶׁהֵפֵר לָהּ בַּעְלָהּ וְהִיא לֹא יָדְעָה הַכּ …
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Sin is Temporary Nazir 22 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 14th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the nature of the husband's annulment of a wife’s vow. We know he is given authority to annul a vow that pertains to a wife’s physical comfort as well as matters that interfere in the marriage within a day’s time (see Shulkhan Arukh YD 234:21 and 55, and Bamidbar 30:13.) The question under discussion is how does the annulment operate? Is it a retroactive removal of the vow, or is it merel …
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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 …
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Conversion Disorder Nazir 20 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 12th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a disappointing and challenging incident in the life of Queen Helene, and how this related to a dispute between Beis Shammai and Beis Hillel. The Mishna on 19b states: מַעֲשֶׂה בְּהֵילֵנִי הַמַּלְכָּה שֶׁהָלַךְ בְּנָהּ לְמִלְחָמָה וְאָמְרָה אִם יָבוֹא בְּנִי מִן הַמִּלְחָמָה בְּשָׁלוֹם אֱהֵ …
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Sometimes Too Hard, Sometimes Too Easy Nazir 19 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 10th, 2023
The Gemara on Amud Aleph repeats the often quoted exhortation of Rabbi Elazar HaKappar: דְּתַנְיָא רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר הַקַּפָּר בְּרַבִּי אוֹמֵר מָה תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר וְכִפֶּר עָלָיו מֵאֲשֶׁר חָטָא עַל הַנָּפֶשׁ וְכִי בְּאֵיזוֹ נֶפֶשׁ חָטָא זֶה אֶלָּא שֶׁצִּיעֵר עַצְמוֹ מִן הַי …
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Shedding Your Old Self Nazir 18 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 10th, 2023
On this daf we compare the shaving of the Nazir to the shaving of the Metzora. In actuality, there are three shaving rituals in Biblical Judaism: Metzora, Nazir and the initiation of the Levites (Mishna Negaim 14:4.) (There is a fourth, if you count the custom of Upsherin.) Sefer Hachinuch (174) explains that the common thread in all three of these rituals is to signal a rebirth, as a newborn infant who is relatively hairless. The Levites inaugur …
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Good Faith Efforts Nazir 17 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 9th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a distinction between a Nazir who vowed his Nazirhood while he was Tameh Mes (ritually impure due to exposure to a corpse), versus someone who began his status of Nazir while pure, and then became impure via exposure to a corpse. Both must undergo the 7 days of purification with the ashes of the Red Heifer in order to start or restart counting the days of being a Nazir to fulfill their vow. However, in the …
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Easier to Learn the Entire Shas than to Change One Middah Nazir 16 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 8th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses that the standard amount of days for an unspecified Nezirus is 30. The Gemara (5a) sees a hint to this from the Gematria numeric of the Hebrew word “Yihyeh”, “He shall be a holy” in Number 6:5, which equals 30. Why does the Torah not make this number explicit? The Meshech Chokhma explains that the Torah leaves it vague because each person must make their own evaluation of what is ne …
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Everything is Copacetic Nazir 15 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 7th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis references an idea that the first three days of mourning have a separate significance. Moed Kattan (21b and 27b) speaks of this as a time for “crying” and extra grief. More so, Shulkhan Arukh (YD:394:1) codifies this a halakhic requirement to refrain from excessive mourning and to limit the “period of crying” to the first three days. Pele Yoetz (“Bechiyya”) also speaks of the importance …
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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 …
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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 …
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Emotional Holding Nazir 12 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 3rd, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a scenario where a man tries to forestall and annul vows that his wife might make while he is away. In one iteration, the Gemara has a textual problem in the teaching that involves appointing an agent to make the annulment. The Gemara wonders, why appoint an agent? Why not merely declare in advance that all vows are annulled? The Gemara answers that he is afraid that he will become distracted on the day of his de …
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Pounds of Prevention for an Ounce of Cure Nazir 11 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 3rd, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a scenario where a person was drinking, or even drunk and declared,”I am a Nazirite from this wine.” The rabbis ruled that the person only intended to swear off this wine, but not to actually be a Nazir. Tosafos explains that sometimes when a person is drunk, others tease and goad the person to drink more. Therefore, in reaction, the person swore off the wine. His intention was not …
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Holy Cow! Nazir 10 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 2nd, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tries to understand a strange declaration made by the protagonist in the Mishna. The fellow is frustrated with his cow that is refusing to budge, and declares, “This cow says, I am hereby a Nazir if I get up.” Obviously, the cow cannot make declarations. The Gemara explains, when the person said “this cow says”, he meant to say, “this cow THINKS she is not going to get up&he …
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Bad Hair Day Nazir 9 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 1st, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph states that according to the opinion of אין שאלה בהקדש, one cannot annul vows made for sanctification purposes, one also cannot annul a nazirite vow. Tosafos offers a proof text that Nazirhood is a sacrament (Bamidbar 6:5): קָדֹ֣שׁ יִהְיֶ֔ה גַּדֵּ֥ל פֶּ֖רַע שְׂעַ֥ר רֹאשֽׁוֹ׃ He shall be holy, the one who grows the hair of his head. The simple understanding is that …
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Mission Accomplished Nazir 8 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
January 31st, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us about a man who accepted upon himself 365 consecutive Naziriyos, (30 days x 365). Upon his completion of this cycle he passed away. This story brings to awareness the idea that sometimes a person may be living off the merit of a particular mitzvah or purpose, and if he stops, it could be the end of the line. Similar to an old brick wall that was held up with dirt and moss in the cracks in the place of cement. If …
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All In a Day’s Work Nazir 7 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
January 30th, 2023
Our General on Amud Aleph references the halakhic definition of a day, which is the day behind the prior night. This is learned from verses in Bereishis, “It was evening, it was morning.” Therefore, most Jewish practices that begin or end on a certain day, start the evening before. As of course, Shabbos and Yom Tov begin on the evening before. A notable exception to this rule is for counting days of validity for eating the meat of a s …
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Back to the Future Nazir 6 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
January 29th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the challenge of the Nazir who unfortunately becomes exposed to a corpse. The verse seems to indicate that he must start his counting all over again. So whatever time he pledged to become a Nazir must now be repeated after he undergoes a purification process. The verse states (Bamidbar 6:12): וְהַיָּמִ֤ים הָרִאשֹׁנִים֙ יִפְּל֔וּ כִּ֥י טָמֵ֖א נִזְ …
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Don't Be So Humble - You Are Not That Great Nazir 5 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
January 27th, 2023
(Quote from Golda Meir) There is a humorous story about an up and coming student who attended one the great mussar yeshivos in Europe. In this yeshiva, there was an attic where the more pious would meditate on their state of smallness in the world. Of course, one did not have the temerity to THINK that he is so big, as to attempt to become so small. By some kind of unwritten pecking order, only certain people dared to enter that upper …
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Paradise Lost Nazir 4 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
January 27th, 2023
Our Gemara on amud aleph seems to indicate that Kiddush with wine is part of the Deoraysa (Biblical) mitzvah of declaring Shabbos, and not merely a rabbinic requirement. Therefore, it may be that one would not be able to fulfill the Biblical obligation of Kiddush Friday night without wine (although this is subject to debate, compare the mefaresh “Harey Mushba”, 4b with Tosafos. Also see Rabbenu Tam, Sefer Hayashar 62.) If we are …
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In the End, It’s Just a Matter of Time Nazir 3 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
January 26th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes a verse in Daniel (22:17): וָאֶשְׁמַ֞ע אֶת־הָאִ֣ישׁ ׀ לְב֣וּשׁ הַבַּדִּ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר מִמַּ֘עַל֮ לְמֵימֵ֣י הַיְאֹר֒ וַיָּ֨רֶם יְמִינ֤וֹ וּשְׂמֹאלוֹ֙ אֶל־הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וַיִּשָּׁבַ֖ע בְּחֵ֣י הָעוֹלָ֑ם כִּי֩ לְמוֹעֵ֨ד מֽוֹעֲדִ֜ים וָחֵ֗צ …
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When You Point a Finger, Three Other Fingers Point Back at You Nazir 2 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
January 25th, 2023
We have discussed many times in Psychology of the Daf (see Nedarim 78), Chazal were ambivalent about pious declarations of abstention, such as the vows of the Nazirite, and as the Gemara on daf 4b explains in regard to Shimon Hatzaddik’s suspicion regarding the sincerity of Nazirite vows. Yet, with proper intention and maturity to handle this period of abnegation, it can be a catalyst for humility and change. Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells …
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