Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 16th, 2022

There is a landmark lomdishe Ran on Amud Aleph that discusses in-depth the Torah logic regarding bitul, which means the way in which certain unkosher or forbidden substances can be nullified in larger amounts. One of the principles he establishes is the idea behind the opinion which holds that like matters cannot be subject to bitul, nullification, in contradistinction to two different matters. (שיטת רבי יהודה שמין במינו ×�×™ …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 15th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us about shenanigans that Bar Kapparah, a badchan, did at Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi’s daughter’s wedding. At some point, part of a riddle challenge, he says: Tomorrow I will drink wine at your father’s dancing and your mother’s [kirekanei]. “Kirekanie” is probably an onomatopoeia. Some commentaries say it was singing (Ran), while others say dancing (Tosafos), and others say that it is m …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 14th, 2022

    Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us a heartwarming story about Rabbi Akiva and Rachel’s love for each other, and sacrifice for Torah: בְּסִיתְוָ×� הֲוָה גָּנוּ בֵּי תִיבְנָ×�, הֲוָה קָ×� מְנַקֵּיט לַיהּ תִּיבְנָ×� מִן מַזְּיַיהּ. ×�ֲמַר לַהּ: ×�Ö´×™ הֲוַ×�×™ לִי, רָמֵינָ×� לִיךְ יְרוּש×�ָלַיִ×� דְּדַהֲבָ×�. ×� …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 13th, 2022

  Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us an interesting vignette about when Rabbi Yirmiyahu was unwell and a doctor came to visit him. when the doctor saw that he had a particular kind of food believed to intensify the illness, the doctor, exasperated, declared, ”The angel of death is in this house, and you were expecting me to try to cure him?” It is worth focusing on the common challenging human behavior pattern of self-destructive …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 12th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a scenario where a person makes an oath to not benefit from the person, is forbidden from benefiting from any of the community property. Included in this community property is the Shul and the scrolls (what we would call books, but they didn’t have books or codexes in those days.)  The commentaries raise a question as to why it would be forbidden to benefit from the Shul or the Sefarim as there is a p …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 11th, 2022

Our Mishna on Amud Beis uses an unusual form, instead of saying  הֲרֵי ×�ַתְּה עָלַי חֵרֶ×� behold you (“atah” masculine) are cherem, it says הֲרֵי ×�ַתְּ 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 …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 9th, 2022

  Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a scenario where one makes an oath forbidding entry into a home. A distinction is made between whether the person uses the language of “this home“ or “your home.“ If he uses the term “your home“ emphasizing that the home is in possession of this person, if owner of the house dies or sells the house to another, it is permitted for the one who took the vow to enter the ho …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 9th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a scenario where two partners in a yard make an oath, forbidding each from deriving benefit from the other. Some of the factors that must be considered are: if this is a yard can be divided. That is, there are certain legal rules that dictate whether or not the area is big enough to be divided. In Choshen Mishpat, if a yard is too small to bevdivisible in an equitable manner, one partner may force the other to ei …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 8th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph and Beis discusses tricks that connivers may engage in to avoid paying tithes, Peah (corner of field left for the poor) and the like, such as declaring their field ownerless: ×�Ö´×™ הָכִי, ×�ֲפִילּוּ מִיּוֹ×� הָרִ×�ש×�וֹן נָמֵי לֶיהֱוֵי הֶפְקֵר! ×�ָמַר רַבָּה: מִפְּנֵי הָרַמָּ×�ִין, דְּמַפְקִירִין וְהָדְרִין בְּהוֹן. …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 7th, 2022

This daf discussed the legal status of Hefker, that is when a person declares his object or property ownerless and available for others to take. There are halakhic outcomes that are dependent on the exact nature of what is the process of hefker, such as is it in your domain until somebody else acquires it? Or, can you renege on your declaration and repossess it? In any case, while the Gemara analyzed the legal aspects of Hefker, let us look at th …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 6th, 2022

Our Mishna on Amud Beis describes The scope of activities that one would be forbidden to engage in with a person he made a vow to not have any benefit from. Two different words are used to describe the activity of lending. In Hebrew ש×�לה she’elah is used for borrowing objects, while halva’ah הלו×� ‏ is used for borrowing money. This distinction exists in Hebrew but not in English. In English we use the word lend and borrow …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 5th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us that fever is both an agent of the Angel of death, i.e., extremely harmful, but at the same time also has health benefits. Ben Yehoyada notes that this aligns with our scientific knowledge in that the fever is the body’s way of fighting infection. The heat from the fever breaks down proteins and also viruses. Obviously, if the fever is too high it’s going to cook the person's internal organs, but at t …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 4th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph remarks about the benefit of good friends and the danger of friends of a lower caliber. Good friends will give you the right advice and guide you, such as Na’aman Who is able to take advice from his peers. However bad friends, such as Rechavam’s friends, give poor advice. Rechavam’s friends advised him to take a harsh stand as a new king, demanding even more taxes which led to a rebellion (see Melachim I …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 3rd, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph teaches: ש×�ִבְעָה דְּבָרִי×� נִבְרְ×�וּ קוֹדֶ×� ש×�ֶנִּבְרָ×� הָעוֹלָ×�, ×�ֵלּוּ הֵן: תּוֹרָה, וּתְש×�וּבָה, גַּן עֵדֶן, וְגֵיהִנָּ×�, כִּסֵּ×� הַכָּבוֹד, וּבֵית הַמִּקְדָּש×�, וּש×�ְמוֹ ש×�ֶל מָש×�Ö´×™×—Ö·.  Seven phenomena were created before the world was created, and they are: Tora …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 2nd, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us that Moshe became wealthy from the remaining material that was hewn from the Luchos.  (Presumably the stone was exceedingly valuable and he sold them as gems.) Ben Yehoyada says that it is ridiculous to take this Aggadah at face value, as even if it mattered to Moshe to be wealthy, why in the world would he commercialize something as special as a stone or gem-like material from God, even if it were leftovers …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 1st, 2022

  Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses why they did not teach cheder children new pieces of Torah on Shabbos. ×�ֶלָּ×�: גַּבֵּי ש×�ַבָּת הַיְינוּ טַעְמָ×� דְּ×�ֵין קוֹרְ×�ִין בַּתְּחִילָּה — מִשּ×�וּ×� דְּיִפְנוּ ×�ֲבָהָתְהוֹן דְּיָנוֹקֵי לְמִצְוְתָ×� דְש×�ַבְּתָ×�. וְ×�ִיבָּעֵית ×�ֵימָ×�: מִשּ×�וּ×� דּ …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 30th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis raises an interesting question in regard to will and agency. We know that a person may act as an unappointed agent when doing a service that is a benefit, since we presume he would have agreed to appoint him. If so, what is the case in regard to taking Terumah (out of your own produce) to make another person’s “tevel” produce permitted as chulin? (In order to eat produce, Terumah must first be taken off f …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 29th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the status of Cohanim in relation to their service in the Beis Hamikdash.  Are they considered agents of God, or our agents whom we appoint to serve God in our stead?  This has numerous applications, including if a Cohen, whom you vowed to not have benefit from, can stil bring your sacrifices. If he works for you as your agent, then he is bringing you a benefit. If he is merely following God‘s com …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 28th, 2022

Our Gemara discusses a situation where one declares a loaf as Hekdesh (dedicated to the Beis Hamikdash). According to many commentaries, the scenario involves where he has not yet picked up the loaf but since it is within 4 cubits, he has a certain power over it. The idea that a person’s four cubits is their domain comes up in halakha in numerous incidences, and is a rabbinic enactment to allow for acquisition and reduce quarrels about owne …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 27th, 2022

Our Gemara on amud aleph considers that certain actions are not concrete benefits, and even if one made a vow to not receive any pleasure from the other person, he still may receive this kind of benefit.  For example, the Gemara considers paying a debt as metaphorically chasing away a lion, that is a non-act. Technically you didn’t give the person anything, you just saved his sheep from the lions. So too, paying a person’s debt m …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 25th, 2022

Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses why Avraham was punished with the enslavement of his descendants in Egypt.  Three opinions are offered:
×�ָמַר רַבִּי ×�ֲבָהוּ ×�ָמַר רַבִּי ×�ֶלְעָזָר: מִפְּנֵי מָה נֶעֱנַש×� ×�ַבְרָהָ×� ×�ָבִינוּ וְנִש×�ְתַּעְבְּדוּ בָּנָיו לְמִצְרַיִ×� מָ×�תַיִ×� וְעֶשֶׂר ש×�ָנִי×� — מִפּ …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 25th, 2022

Our Mishna on Amud Beis discusses a scenario where a person makes a vow to not benefit from the uncircumcised. He is permitted to even benefit from Jews who were unable to circumcise themselves, and forbidden even to gentiles who did circumcise.  Furthermore, the opposite holds true as well.  If one makes an oath to refuse benefit from those who are circumcised, he is forbidden to all Jews, even those who are uncircumcised, and permitte …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 24th, 2022

What can a prophet predict, and how does that affect free-choice? Our Gemara on Amud Beis references a verse (I Melachim 13:2): הִנֵּה־בֵ֞ן נוֹלָ֤ד לְבֵית־דָּוִד֙ ×™Ö¹×�ש×�ִיָּ֣הֽוּ ש×�ְמ֔וֹ וְזָבַ֣ח עָלֶ֗יךָ ×�ֶת־כֹּהֲנֵ֤י הַבָּמוֹת֙ הַמַּקְטִרִ֣י×� עָלֶ֔יךָ וְעַצְמ֥וֹת ×�ָדָ֖×� יִשְׂרְפ֥וּ עָלֶֽיךָ׃ A son …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 23rd, 2022

There is a saying that there is no such thing as halfway pregnant.  From the Halakhic perspective, there is no such thing as halfway married.  Our Gemara on amud aleph tells us: ×�ִילּוּ ×�ָמַר לְ×�ִשּ×�ָה ״הַיּוֹ×� ×�ַתְּ ×�ִש×�ְתִּי וּלְמָחָר ×�Ö´×™ ×�ַתְּ ×�ִש×�ְתִּי״, מִי נָפְקָ×� בְּלָ×� גֵּט?! And what would happen if one said to a woman while performing bet …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 22nd, 2022

Continuing our discussion regarding oaths under duress, our gemara on amud aleph questions why dodging tax collectors is a valid situation of duress. There is a teaching that דִּינָ×� דְמַלְכוּתָ×� דִּינָ×� The law of the kingdom is the law, i.e., there is a halakhic principle that Jews must obey the laws of the state in which they live. This halakhic rationale and degree to which the law of the secular government is bindin …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 21st, 2022

Is an oath made under duress and coercion valid? Our Mishna on Amud Beis discusses circumstances whereby if one makes an oath under duress, such as when threatened by bandits or a rogue tax collector, the oath is not binding. Thus if he says, “The produce of the world should be forbidden to me if…[whatever he is saying is false]”, it is not binding.  (The case of the rogue tax collector is referring to a so-called governme …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 20th, 2022

Our Gemara on this daf discusses the halakhic concept of הנדר שהותר מקצתו. הותר כולו if a portion of a vow is deemed null, then the entire vow may be rendered invalid. As we discussed in Psychology of the Daf Nedarim 22, there are two legal mechanisms to 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 ci …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 18th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us about the famous case of “Kanya De Rava” “Rava’s Cane”, where a trickster tried to perpetrate a scam on Beis Din: דְּהָהוּ×� גַּבְרָ×� דַּהֲוָה מַסֵּיק בְּחַבְרֵיהּ זוּזֵי, ×�ֲתָ×� לְקַמֵּיהּ דְּרָבָ×�. ×�ֲמַר לֵיהּ לְלֹוֶה: זִיל פְּרַע לִי. ×�ֲמַר לֵיהּ: פְּרַעְתִּיך …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 18th, 2022

The commentary of the Rosh on Amud Aleph explains why a person may be reluctant to accept his host’s invitation without being able to reciprocate, based on the aphorism expressed in Mishley (15:27): וְשׂוֹנֵ֖×� מַתָּנֹ֣ת ×™Ö´×—Ö°×™Ö¶Ö½×” He who spurns gifts will live long We can well understand why this might be a good character trait, but why does it specifically confer long life? Maharal in Nesivos Olam, Nesiv Haosher (1 …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 17th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses what most commentaries believe serves as the basis for the custom of the Kol Nidre service on Yom Kippur.  There are numerous kabbalistic theories as to what it signifies. On the most basic level, a person wants to come into the Day of Judgement clean and clear of any unfulfilled commitments.  On a deeper level, annulling vows publicly may inspire a theurgic heavenly response of releasing and forgiving …
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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 …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 15th, 2022

Our gemara on amud beis references the virtue of the righteous who say little but do much.   This is most famously memorialized in Parashas Chaye Sarah where Avraham offers his guests a little water and bread, but actually provides them with a feast of delicacies (see Avos Derabbi Nosson 13:3). My father, Z”L used to say to me, “Simcha, do not commit too much, as the Yetzer Hara will overhear and try to stop you.” I do …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 14th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the virtue of shame. This is not pathological self-destructive shame, but rather a sense of place and humility.  That is, to recognize how tiny and insignificant we are in comparison to God.  Our lives are short and our accomplishments border on pointless, if not for the opportunity to access the infinite and the immortal, by elevating our actions via sacrifice and meaning.  To quote the lyricist …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 13th, 2022

Our Gemara on 18b and 19a discusses the idea that when a person makes a vow about something that is impossible to clarify, does he have in mind to take it upon himself regardless? Or, did he only mean to include the items that surely fell under his statement? To use a simple example, if somebody says,  “I make a vow to no longer to eat fruit”, but there is a particular food product that we are unsure of whether to classify it as …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 11th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the idea that swearing falsely is more severe than merely violating a neder. Swearing falsely has an additional injunction by which God declared that, “I will not cleanse those who bear my name in vain” (Shemos 20:6). What is this special quality about swearing falsely, compared to other sins, that that draws this particular reaction? In regard to this, God says he will not cleanse. Further developin …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 11th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the halakhic concept of Mushba Veomed Mehar Sinai, which literally translates as we are bound by a vow at Mount Sinai to uphold the Torah. The halakhic significance of this is to explain why a person who swears to violate a Torah principle is not obligated by this vow. He is already bound by the prior commitment of the vow at Mount Sinai. The simple understanding is that it is a literal vow. We are taught there w …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 10th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis references the concept of Mitzvos Lav Leyhanos Nitnu.  That is, the observance of a Mitzvah is not based on experiencing any pleasure.  Thus, in theory if one made a vow to not receive any benefit from an object, in certain circumstances, he may still utilize it in the performance of a mitzvah. If a person vowed not to receive benefit from a shofar, he can still use it to blow on Rosh Hashanah, as the mitzvah is …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 9th, 2022

This last Sunday was the NYC marathon.  Why does anyone do this?  It is hard, hard work.  Yet, it feels good.  Would it feel as good if you ran 25 miles, being forced to do so at gunpoint on a death march? Our Gemara on Amud Aleph refers to an idea that certain customs can become defacto obligations, as if you had explicitly made a vow.  Halachically this comes up in many areas discussed by poskim, such as when a person v …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 8th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the case of a man who made a vow at his wife, apparently in anger, stating “You shall be as my mother!”  He is literally, swearing off having relations with his wife as if she is forbidden to him like mother. The Gemara discusses that technically she is not forbidden, as in order to make an oath, one must refer to a voluntary declaration of sanctity or abstention, such as an item dedicated as a …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 7th, 2022

There are matters of this world that are holy by God, and others that we can voluntarily consecrate. There is an interesting category of matters which God decrees should be holy, but also expects Man to join in this declaration. Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the mitzvah of Bechor, the first born animal that must be set aside for the Cohen and as an offering. The Gemara notes the relative uniqueness of the first born sacrifice that though it …
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