Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 10th, 2025

Our Gemara on amud beis discusses the interesting legal category of the tevul yom. A tevul yom refers to a person who has undergone a ritual immersion in a mikvah but must still wait until nightfall for full purification. During this interim period—between immersion and sunset—the individual or item retains a partial status of impurity and is subject to certain restrictions. Our Gemara provides a prooftext that a tevul yom who perform …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 12th, 2022

The Torah’s response to accidental death when there is a degree of negligence is for the perpetrator to go into exile until the death of the Cohen Godol, as our Gemara on Amud Beis describes. But what is the reason for exile?  The verses offer a mixed message because there is reference to not accepting payment as exchange for forgiveness (as described in our Gemara), which implies exile is a form of penance, yet the verses also speak o …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 21st, 2022

Our Gemara on this daf discusses the process of the Yefas Toar, the captive woman. The verses describe it detail (Devarim 21:12): כִּֽי־תֵצֵ֥א לַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה עַל־אֹיְבֶ֑יךָ וּנְתָנ֞וֹ הֹ אֱלֹקְיךָ בְּיָדֶ֖ךָ וְשָׁבִ֥יתָ שִׁבְיֽוֹ׃  When you [an Israelite warrior] take the field against your enemies, and your God delivers them into your power and you tak …
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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

February 28th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph provides an intriguing scriptural source for the obligation to save a fellow Jew from harm. The verse regarding returning lost objects states (Devarim 22:2), “And you shall return it to him.” However, the Hebrew wording, “Ve-Hashevoso” —which literally means “return it to him”—can also be read as “You shall return him to himself.” This subtle shift hints at the i …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 28th, 2020

Mareh Mekomos for Video Shiur click here to listen: for Video Shiur click here to listen:  Psychology of the DAF Shabbos 114   DAF YOMI from a psychological perspective. Mareh Mekomos 114a Rabbi Yannai say to his sons: My sons, do not bury me in white garments nor in black garments. Not in white, lest I not be acquitted in judgment, and I will be among the wicked like a groom among mourners. And not in black, lest I be acquitted in …
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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

October 24th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph extols the Sages of Babylonia, describing them as "Heavenly Angels." The exile from Israel to Babylonia should theoretically represent a degradation, losing the holiness of the Land of Israel and a further disruption from the centers of learning. Yet, the establishment of Babylonian academies did not lead to decline but actually to spiritual heights. Rav Tzaddok uses this statement to push back against, and modify the tra …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 24th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis relates a true story and interesting quandary for an accused adulterer.  This fellow heard the husband approaching the house and hid behind the door.  From his vantage point, he noticed a snake had deposited its venom on some vegetables.  When the husband was about to eat, he called out to him to save his life, but also blew his cover.  The Gemara wonders, is his honesty a sign that he did not commit ad …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 24th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a dispute between Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Yishmael regarding what benefits accrue for the woman who goes through the Sotah ordeal and is  proven innocent. The verse states, “And she shall be cleared, and shall conceive seed” (Numbers 5:28) but how far does this go?: דְתַנְיָא וְנִקְּתָה וְנִזְרְעָה [זָרַע] שֶׁאִם הָיְתָה עֲקָרָה נִפְקֶד …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 14th, 2023

  In our Gemara on Amud Aleph, we delve into a concept related to agency and delegation. Rava asserts that verbal instructions cannot be delegated to an agent, citing the Mishna as an example. The Mishna explains that in the case of a bill of divorce, the husband's verbal instructions cannot be passed on to another agent. Verbal directives, it seems, cannot be effectively transferred through agency. This principle is known as "מילי לא …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 20th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis describes the properties of the cloak and table of the Torah sage:     Rabbi Yoḥanan asked Rabbi Bena’a: How should the garment of a Torah scholar worn under his clothes be fashioned? He replied: He can wear any garment long enough that his flesh is not visible from beneath it. Rabbi Yoḥanan asked: How should the cloak of a Torah scholar be fashioned? He replied: He can wear any garment long enough …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 20th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph once again mentions the principle that one should not perform an action that will needlessly disadvantage others, and so a person should not spill out water collected in his cistern that he does not need when others might be in need of it. Ha’amek Davar (Bereishis 24:20) cleverly notices that, amongst her many admirable qualities, Rivka also followed this principle. Let us study the sequence of verses to understand …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 15th, 2022

Roe V. Reydt Our Gemara on amud beis asserts that a fetus prior to the 40th day from conception is considered as if it is “merely water”. The Gemara in Menachos (99b) also implies that the fetus does not yet have a soul until 40 days. The idea that prior to 40 days, the fetus is not considered human has implications for early abortion.   Though Rav Moshe (Iggeros Moshe CM II:69) does not consider this principle to be suffici …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 10th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses why a career gambler is not trusted as a witness: Rav Sheshes says: Those who play dice are disqualified because they are not involved in settling the world, i.e., in productive occupations that demand hard work. What is this flaw exactly, and why does it disqualify them? Rashi here offers two factors which, combined, lead to a person who cannot be trusted to testify on financial matters because his perception is …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 14th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us: ״וְעָשִׂיתָ״ — אַזְהָרָה לְבֵית דִּין שֶׁיְּעַשּׂוּךְ. לְמָה לִי? מִ״יַּקְרִיב אוֹתוֹ״ נָפְקָא, דְּתַנְיָא: ״יַקְרִיב אוֹתוֹ״ — מְלַמֵּד שֶׁכּוֹפִין אוֹתוֹ. יָכוֹל בְּעַל כׇּרְחוֹ — תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״לִרְצוֹנוֹ״, הָ …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 9th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph explains that certain verses are not mentioned in Musaf because they are too harsh, though they express valid ideas of Kingship on Rosh Hashanah:
גְּמָ׳ מַלְכִיּוֹת, כְּגוֹן: ״חַי אָנִי נְאֻם ה׳ [אֱלֹהִים] אִם לֹא בְּיָד חֲזָקָה וּבִזְרוֹעַ נְטוּיָה וּבְחֵמָה שְׁפוּכָה אֶמְלוֹךְ עֲלֵיכֶם״, וְא …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 5th, 2021

The Gemara on Amud Aleph describes an individual who is sometimes sane and sometimes insane. When he is in his sane phase, he has the halakhic status of a regular person, when he is out of his mind, he has the status of a shoteh, that is a person exempt from mitzvos. This works both ways. If he is not in a sane status he is exempt from mitzvos but also doesn’t fulfill them. So if he ate matzah seder night in an insane state and then calmed …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 2nd, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us a story where Rabban Gamliel and Rabbi Yehoshua had a dispute about when to calculate the new moon, which would affect when to celebrate Yom Kippur.  In order that no one be misled by Rabbi Yehoshua, Rabban Gamliel the Nasi, ordered that Rabbi Yehoshua travel to him on the day that would have been his Yom Kippur, with his staff and money.  The idea was to make a public repudiation of his opinion. The id …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 31st, 2021

Our Gemara and Mishna on Amud Beis tells us that the superfluous pairs of witnesses for the new moon were still asked questions about what they observed in order that they not feel unappreciated, and they came for no reason. The Gemara uses the phrase כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יֵצְאוּ בְּפַחֵי נֶפֶשׁ, that the witnesses should not leave disappointed. How do we translate פחי נפש? From the context of several Gemaras, fo …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 22nd, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us that the Esrog tree is so sensitive, that following the Shemitta year, and having all the people traveling through the orchard and touching the tree to Pick its fruit, it will not produce fruit again until the third year after Shemitta. Mei HaShiloach ( מי שילוח, ליקוטי ש״ס, ראש השנה טו ) comments on this that the Esrog which is destined to be held in the human hand for a mitzvah is …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 26th, 2021

The Gemara on Amud Aleph speaks about an unusually powerful benefit of Torah study.  It can serve as a merit and protection and obtain forgiveness for sins beyond mere repentance. How does this work? Nefesh HaChayyim (Shaar Dalet) explains in great detail the value of Torah study and why this works.  The goal of every mitzvah is to attach to Hashem, and the goal of repentance is to repair any breaks in the attachment.  Therefore, i …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 11th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis explains that the purpose of Chazaras HaShatz, the reader’s repetition of Shemoneh Esre was in order to allow those who were not literate to fulfill the mitzvah by listening.  Of course, we must imagine in a time before the printing press, how much more expensive it must have been to have a copy of a siddur, let alone the time to master reading and/or memorizing prayer.  
Today we are going to di …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 18th, 2021

Does your soul consent to being born?  Does some part of you choose to enter into a particular body and form of existence at a particular time?  If we do say that is true, then it makes the world seem a lot more fair. We see a person who appears to have physical deformities or illness and rightfully notice suffering in this world.  But, what if the person’s soul CHOSE to occupy that body at that time, for some reason that the …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 24th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph and Beis asks why we blow shofar both before Musaf, and then during Musaf, when clearly the fulfillment of the Mitzvah only requires one set of blows? The Gemara offers an odd-sounding reason: In order to confuse Satan.  I would say we are the ones that are confused, not Satan. In fact, it’s hard to believe that after all these years, Satan falls for the same trick, like Charlie Brown forever trying to punt the …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 29th, 2021

  The Mishna on Amud Aleph tells us: MISHNA: The following are unfit to give testimony, as they are considered thieves and robbers: One who plays with dice [kubbiyya] or other games of chance for money; and those who lend money with interest; and those who race pigeons and place wagers on the outcome; The Gemara Sanhedrin (24b) offers reasons for why a career gambler is unfit as a witness, one of them is that he is not engaged in socially re …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 4th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph suggests that though ordinarily we say that one cannot hear two voices at the same time, when the sounds or subject matter are dear to the listener, apparently one can maintain focus and hear the distinct sounds.  Thus, with regard to the reading of Hallel and the Scroll of Esther, even ten people may read simultaneously.   This idea strikes me as important in human relations and even in relation to ourselv …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 10th, 2021

Our Gemara on amud beis tells us that a source for understanding what the Teruah blow of the Shofar sounds like comes from Sisera’s mother’s wailing:
אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: בְּהָא וַדַּאי פְּלִיגִי, דִּכְתִיב: ״יוֹם תְּרוּעָה יִהְיֶה לָכֶם״, וּמְתַרְגְּמִינַן: ״יוֹם יַבָּבָא יְהֵא לְכוֹן״. וּכְתִיב בְּאִימֵּ …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 3rd, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph clarifies that though we have the principle, אֵין קָטֵיגוֹר נַעֲשָׂה סָנֵיגוֹר a prosecutor cannot become an advocate, that only applies to the Holy of Holies.  That is, the Cohen Godol does not wear Gold as it is reminiscent of the sin of the Golden Calf.  However, that restriction only applies to services that are performed in the innermost intimate and holy space, not outside. By …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 1st, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis uses the following verse (Exodus 20:19) to teach us that it is forbidden to make an image of a human, even if not for idolatrous intent: לֹא תַעֲשׂוּן אִתִּי״ — לֹא תַּעֲשׂוּן אוֹתִי. You shall not make with Me [iti]”, This can be read as: You shall not make Me [oti] The derasha is a play on words, which comes to mean do not make images of Me, God. Since Man is made in God& …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 16th, 2021

Our Gemara quotes the verse that describes the Jubilee year (VaYikra 25:10) וְקִדַּשְׁתֶּ֗ם אֵ֣ת שְׁנַ֤ת הַחֲמִשִּׁים֙ שָׁנָ֔ה וּקְרָאתֶ֥ם דְּר֛וֹר בָּאָ֖רֶץ לְכׇל־יֹשְׁבֶ֑יהָ יוֹבֵ֥ל הִוא֙ תִּהְיֶ֣ה לָכֶ֔ם וְשַׁבְתֶּ֗ם אִ֚ישׁ אֶל־אֲחֻזָּת֔וֹ וְאִ֥ישׁ אֶל־מִשְׁפַּחְתּ֖וֹ …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 15th, 2021

There are two interesting Gemaras on this daf that I think illuminate each other. At the top of Amud Beis it states: It is written: “Blow a shofar at the New Moon, at the covered time for our Festival day” (Psalms 81:4). Which is the Festival day ⁦on which the moon is covered, i.e., hidden? You must say that this is Rosh HaShana, which is the only Festival that occurs at the beginning of a month, when the moon cannot be seen.  …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 8th, 2021

I once saw a dentist whose tagline was, “If you ignore your teeth, don’t worry, they will go away and stop bothering you.“ I think the same might be said about relationships.
The Gemara on Amud Aleph describes a process by which the Shekhina gradually withdrew from the Jewish people, as a result of their sins.
⁦The Gemara elaborates. The Divine Presence traveled ten journeys, as derived from verses. The ten journey …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 29th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses an important psychological and halakhic principle:  נמצא אתה מכשילן לעתיד לבא If you take a certain action now, you will cause them to stumble in the future. This reasoning applied to the case of the 40 pairs of witnesses who came to testify about sighting the new Moon. Even though technically we allow them to violate the techum boundary for this mitzvah, Rabbi Akiva detained them since …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 27th, 2021

The Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us a historical incident when the government issued a decree forbidding Jews from Torah study, Shabbos and Bris Milah. The rabbis consulted with a certain matron [matronisa] whom all the prominent men of Rome would visit regularly, thinking that she would know how to annul the decree.  She said to them as follows: Come and cry out [hafgginu] at night in the streets and markets. They went and cried out at night, …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 7th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph uses the verse in Yirmiyahu (30:17) as a proof text to the idea that one should remember the Beis HaMikdash: ⁦For I will restore health to you, and I will heal you of your wounds, said the Lord; because they have called you an outcast: She is Zion, there is none who care for her.” This verse teaches by inference that Jerusalem requires caring through acts of commemoration. There is a lovely Midrash Eichah Rabbah ( …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 21st, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us about one sage that rebukes another for questioning the determinations and measures of the Sages. He says:  Rabbi Zeira said to him: Do I not always tell you that you must not take yourself out of the bounds of the halakha? All the measures of the Sages are like this; they are precise and exact. For example, one who immerses himself in a ritual bath containing forty se’a of water is rendered pure, but …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 5th, 2021

The Mishna on Amud Aleph makes the following observations about the Miraculous battle with Amalek as well as the copper snake that miraculously healed the Jews in the wilderness: And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed” (Exodus 17:11). It may be asked: Did the hands of Moses make war when he raised them or break war when he lowered them? Rather, the verse comes …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 12th, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us that one should prepare and organize his prayers (Shemoneh Esre). Though strictly speaking, this was referring to periodic prayers such as Yamim Tovim and also when they didn’t have easy access to siddurim, the point is well taken that in regard to quality of prayer, preparation is key. I would like to make a few comments about preparing for prayer while we are on the topic. Prayer requires focus and concen …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 22nd, 2021

Our Gemara on Amud Beis notes ways in which the Esrog tree is comparable to a fruit tree but also comparable to vegetables, and the implications for laws of tithing. Sod Yesharim (Succos 48) offers a mystical interpretation of this phenomenon.  The Esrog Tree represents a hybrid of qualities. A fruit tree has an advantage in that it is semi permanent and does not wither from season to season, unlike vegetables. Yet vegetables have a quality …
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