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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Weaving a Good Peshat Yevamos 5 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
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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Wedding Night Trauma Eruvin 47 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 25th, 2020
In this section we will discuss and an unusual custom that, according to some, was enacted in order to forestall wedding night trauma. Imagine if one year the Moschiach came and Elijah the prophet announced that this year the Mitzvah on Seder night is to have a Ham on Rye. Even the most devout believer would probably choke while trying to perform the Mitzvah. This is what wedding night trauma is for some couples who have spent their …
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Wedding Night Trauma Yevamos 41 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
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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Weighing Sin Bava Metzia 41 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 9th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Beis considers the relative legal severity of two different kinds of watchmen: The free watchman, and the hired watchman. On a simple level, the hired watchman has more legal liability and severity than the free watchman. The hired watchman is liable for theft, and forms of non-negligent loss, while the free watchman can claim the object was stolen and be exempt, so long as he takes an oath that he employed an expected standard …
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What Belongs to Us Chaggigah 8 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 16th, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes a verse in Devarim 16:17 Describing the expectations of devotional sacrifices one should bring on the festival: ×Ö´Ö–×™×©× ×›Ö¼Ö°×žÖ·×ªÖ¼Ö°× Ö·Ö£×ª יָד֑וֹ כְּבִרְכַּ֛ת ×”Ö¹ ×ֱלֹקיךָ ×ֲש×ֶ֥ר × Ö¸Ö½×ªÖ·×ŸÖ¾×œÖ¸Ö½×šÖ°×ƒ â¦but each with his own gift, according to the blessing that the LORD your God has bestowed upon you. The Shalah ( של״ה תורה שבתב ר××” דרך ×—×™ …
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What Do Angels Know? Sotah 33 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 1st, 2023
Our Gemara on amud Aleph tells us that while prayers can technically be said in any language, there are metaphysical barriers when the prayer is not in the holy tongue, l’shon kodesh: תְּפִלָּה רַחֲמֵי ×”Ö´×™× ×›Ö¼×‡×œ ×”Öµ×™×›Ö´×™ דְּבָעֵי מְצַלֵּי It is stated in the mishna that the Amida prayer may be recited in any language. The reason for this is that since prayer is a request for divine mercy, one may …
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What Do the Dead Know? Bava Metzia 16 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 15th, 2024
Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses the idea that a repentant thief may be disturbed that his reputation as a thief would be discovered after his death. This implies that dead people have an awareness of the goings on in the physical world. However this is subject to debate in Gemara Berachos (18b) with a number of incidents with various sagely and pious persons, the dead and the living. In one case, a man receives messages from a deceased …
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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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What Halachos Will Eliyahu Explain? Bava Metzia 37 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 5th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses several scenarios where there is an unresolved disposition of ownership: In the case of two people who deposited money with one person, and this one deposited one hundred dinars and that one deposited two hundred dinars, and when they come to collect their deposit, this one says: My deposit was two hundred dinars, and that one says: My deposit was two hundred dinars, the bailee gives one hundred dinars to …
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What is Mazal? Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 146
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 29th, 2020
ש×Ö¶×‘Ö¼Ö¸× × Ö¸×—Ö¸×©× ×¢Ö·×œ חַוָּה הֵטִיל בָּהּ זוּהֲמָ×, יִשְׂרָ×ֵל ש×ֶעָמְדוּ עַל הַר ×¡Ö´×™× Ö·×™ — פָּסְקָה זוּהֲמָתָן, ×’Ö¼×•Ö¹×™Ö´× ×©×Ö¶×œÖ¼Ö¹× ×¢Ö¸×žÖ°×“×•Ö¼ עַל הַר ×¡Ö´×™× Ö·×™ — ×œÖ¹× ×¤Ö¼Ö¸×¡Ö°×§Ö¸×” זוּהֲמָתָן. ×ֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב ×Ö·×—Ö¸× ×‘Ö¼Ö°×¨Öµ×™×”Ö¼ ×“Ö¼Ö°×¨Ö¸×‘Ö¸× ×œÖ°×¨Ö·×‘ ×ָש×Öµ×™: ×’Ö¼Öµ×¨Ö´×™× ×žÖ· …
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What is the POINT, really? Eruvin 53 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 1st, 2020
מַר רַבִּי ×™×•Ö¹×—Ö¸× Ö¸×Ÿ: לִבָּן ש×ֶל רִ×ש××•Ö¹× Ö´×™× ×›Ö¼Ö°×¤Ö´×ªÖ°×—×•Ö¹ ש×ֶל ×וּלָ×, וְש×ֶל ×Ö·×—Ö²×¨×•Ö¹× Ö´×™× ×›Ö¼Ö°×¤Ö´×ªÖ°×—×•Ö¹ ש×ֶל הֵיכָל, וְ×Ö¸× ×•Ö¼ — ×›Ö¼Ö´×žÖ°×œÖ¹× × Ö¶×§Ö¶×‘ מַחַט סִידְקִית. Similarly, Rabbi Yoḥanan said: The hearts, i.e., the wisdom, of the early Sages were like the doorway to the Entrance Hall of the Temple, which was twen …
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What is Torah Study? Psychology of the Daf Eruvin 2
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 11th, 2020
סוכה ד××•×¨×™×™×ª× ×ª× ×™ פסולה מבוי ×“×¨×‘× ×Ÿ ×ª× ×™ ×ª×§× ×ª× The Gemara answers: With regard to sukka, since it is a mitzva by Torah law, the mishna teaches that it is unfit, as if it is not constructed in the proper manner, no mitzva is fulfilled. Whereas with regard to an alleyway, where the entire prohibition of carrying is only by rabbinic law, the mishna teaches the method of rectification, as the cross beam comes …
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What Kind of Suffering Merits Forgiveness? Gittin 42 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
June 27th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis delves into the sources and specific laws concerning the automatic release of a Canaanite slave whose master causes him to lose a limb. While the scripture mentions a tooth or eye, the halakhic interpretation extends it to any limb (See Shemos 21:27). Sefer Daf Al Daf presents an insightful derush and analysis of Aggadah by Rav Tzvi Pesach Frank (Vaera 6:5). When Moshe expresses concern over the continued suffering of the …
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What loneliness is more lonely than distrust? Pesachim 13 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
December 4th, 2020
What loneliness is more lonely than distrust? George Eliot Likewise, collectors of food for the charity plate, who would collect food in large vessels for the poor to eat, who do not have poor people to whom to distribute the food, sell the food to others and do not sell it to themselves, as it is stated: “And you shall be clear before God and before Israel” (Numbers 32:22). It is not sufficient that a person is without sin in …
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What Makes a Jew Jewish? Kiddushin 68 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 20th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the status of a child born from a Gentile father and Jewish mother. The child is not a halakhic mamzer but is seen to be of inferior lineage and cannot marry into the priestly families. This would seem to be contradicted by the following verse in Vayikra (24:10): וַיֵּצֵ×Ö™ בֶּן־×ִש×Ö¸Ö£×” יִשְׂרְ×ֵלִ֔ית וְהוּ×Ö™ בֶּן־×Ö´Ö£×™×©× ×žÖ´×¦Ö°×¨Ö´Ö”×™ בְּת֖ …
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What We Have When We Have Nothing Gittin 68 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 23rd, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis recounts a period in Solomon's life when he was usurped by the Asmadai demon, who took his place, forcing Solomon into exile. The verse, "And this was my portion from all of my toil" (Ecclesiastes 2:10), raises a question: What is the meaning of the expression "And this"? The Gemara explains that this expression typically refers to an item that is actually in the person's hand or can be shown. Rav and Shmuel offer differen …
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What’s Worse? Being Constantly Cruel or Ending a Marriage? Sotah 3 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 31st, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses an opinion that even though the Sotah ritual is activated by the husband according to a formula prescribed by the Torah, this act of jealously warning her to not to be alone with a certain suspected person is forbidden, because it causes strife (see Rashi). Shitta Mekubetzes raises an obvious logical objection. If it turns out that he legitimately suspects his wife of immoral behavior, and he is not just b …
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When Does Life Become Holy Yevamos 67 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 13th, 2022
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the idea that עוּבָּר בִּמְעֵי זָרָה זָר הו×. A fetus in the womb of a non-Cohen who is married to a Cohen, is not considered a Cohen until it is born. This has halakhic implications in terms of the slaves in the household who ordinarily are allowed to eat Terumah as they are part of the Cohen’s household. However, in this case because they are partially owned by this fetus who is …
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When Second Place is First Class Bava Kamma 109 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 19th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the status of the Biblically penalty of an extra fifth imposed for one who confesses that he denied a theft under oath. The particular case is regarding someone who stole from his father, and then denied it under oath, and before he can make restitution, his father dies. Technically, he inherited part of the fine due to his father, and one might think that his percentage of the inheritance should be deducted off …
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When Silence Speaks Louder Than Action Sanhedrin 41 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
January 27th, 2025
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the status of the Sanhedrin in the years leading up to the destruction of the Temple: “Forty years before the destruction of the Second Temple, the Sanhedrin was exiled from the Chamber of Hewn Stone and sat in a store near the Temple Mount… And no longer judged cases of capital law. Once the Sanhedrin left the Chamber of Hewn Stone, their ability to judge capital cases was nullified.” A simpl …
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When Stolen Waters are not so Sweet Bava Kamma 118 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 28th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the prohibition to buy stolen goods. The Rambam (Law of Theft 1:1) warns that to buy stolen goods of any kind is a grave sin, as it encourages the thief’s behavior. Based on this, Yam Shel Shelomo (58:1) rules that it is still prohibited to purchase from a thief even if he technically acquired the item via making substantial changes so that it is no longer the same object, such as weaving wool into a …
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When the Letter of the Law is to Go Above It Bava Metzia 83 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 21st, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses an incident where Rabbah bar Chanan’s hired porters broke a barrel of wine. Though they were legally hired as watchmen and thus responsible for the mishap, his teacher (Rav) required him to not only release them of liability for the broken barrel, but to even pay them their wages! Rabbah bar Chanan asked Rav, “Is this really the required Halacha?” Rav answered, “Yes it is”, quoting …
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When There is Coercion, There Also is Obligation Kesuvos 29 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
August 4th, 2022
Continuing our theme from yesterday’s daf about fear in the classroom and pedagogy, there is another dynamic involved in a relationship of dominance. Whether ideal or not, when one party coerces and dominates the other party, there also is a moral obligation about the dominant party to provide for the subjugated party. It is a truism in human nature. For example, though the master may have many servants and obviousl …
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When to Fight and When to Be Still: Understanding Divine Intervention Sanhedrin 60 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
February 14th, 2025
Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses an intriguing biblical figure: Ravshakeh. He was an agent of the King of Assyria, engaging in psychological warfare by speaking directly to the Jewish soldiers in Chizkiyahu’s army—in Hebrew, no less—encouraging them to surrender, as he claimed it was their destined fate to lose. Ravshakeh even went so far as to assert that God Himself approved of Assyria’s impending conquest (Melachim II …
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When to Meddle and When Not Psychology of the Daf Shabbos 148
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 31st, 2020
×ֶלָּ×: ×”Ö·× Ö¼Ö·×— לְיִשְׂרָ×ֵל, מוּטָב ש×ֶיְּהוּ ש×וֹגְגִין וְ×ַל יְהוּ מְזִידִין. Rather, in these matters we rely on a different principle: Leave the Jewish people alone, and do not rebuke them. It is better that they be unwitting in their halakhic violations and that they not be intentional sinners, for if they are told about these prohibitions they may not listen anyway. for Vid …
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When Torah and Your Emotional Needs Conflict
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 2nd, 2019
When Torah and Your Emotional Needs Don’t Feel Compatible Persons who go through therapy and find access to their deeper feelings can become aware of conflicts that others may not be consciously aware of. For example, unfortunately there are a number of people who habitually talk in Shul. Some may get serious, develop self control, begin to appreciate the value of prayer and solemnity, and stop this behavior. Others may continue for …
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When Will You Trust Me Again? Kiddushin 27 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 8th, 2023
In our Gemara on Amud Beis, we delve into the intricate process of "Gilgul Shevua," a unique legal procedure. When a defendant is obligated to make an oath to defend their claim, the plaintiff has the opportunity to levy additional accusations, compelling the defendant to take oaths on those matters as well. Remarkably, this applies even when the subsequent accusations lack substantial legal basis, drawing inspiration from the repetition of "Amen …
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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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Where Charity Begins Bava Metzia 82 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 20th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a teaching of Rav Yitschak, regarding the status of a collateral object. Is the object considered still in the possession of the borrower, or once the collateral is taken, it is fully owned by the lender until such a time as the borrower repays the loan? One halachic outcome that depends on this distinction is if the object was lost due to unforeseeable circumstances. If the object is fully possessed by the lende …
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Wherever You Go, That's where You'll Be Eruvin 55 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 2nd, 2020
×¨Ö¸×‘Ö¸× ×ָמַר: ×´×œÖ¹× ×‘Ö·×©Ö¼×Ö¸×žÖ·×™Ö´× ×”Ö´×™××´ — ×œÖ¹× ×ªÖ¼Ö´×žÖ¼Ö¸×¦Öµ× ×‘Ö¼Ö°×žÖ´×™ ש×ֶמַּגְבִּיהַּ דַּעְתּוֹ עָלֶיהָ כַּשּ×ָמַיִ×, ×•Ö°×œÖ¹× ×ªÖ¼Ö´×žÖ¼Ö¸×¦Öµ× ×‘Ö¼Ö°×žÖ´×™ ש×ֶמַּרְחִיב דַּעְתּוֹ עָלֶיהָ ×›Ö¼Ö·×™Ö¼Ö¸×. Expounding the verse differently, Rava said: “It is not in heaven” means that Torah is not to be found in som …
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Who Deserves Wealth? Bava Metzia 35 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 3rd, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a judgment that people seem to have when comparing the wealthy to the impoverished. In certain halachic/legal situations, there is an assumption that the borrower trusts the lender’s financial assessment but not the reverse; the lender does not trust the borrower. One reason given for this by the Gemara is that people assume God would not have rewarded this man with wealth unless he was trustworthy. Conver …
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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.) × …
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Who Got Esau’s Goat? Bava Basra 72 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 5th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph continues the sugya of ayin yaffa, that certain sales and/or gifts are done with a generous spirit which implies that certain extras may be included in the sale or gift. As we have seen in other blogposts, the idea of a gift of being given generously with extras also applies to spiritual gifts. Siach Sarfei Kodesh (Erev Shabbos Kodesh) uses this principal to explain an unusual phrase in the Shabbos morning Amidah. We say: …
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Who is a Man and Who is a Beast? Sanhedrin 99 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 26th, 2025
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the role and responsibility of a human being in this world: Rabbi Elazar says: Every man was created for labor, as it is stated: “Man is born for toil” (Iyov 5:7). Based on this verse, I do not know whether he was created for the toil of the mouth—speech—or for the toil of labor. When the verse states: “For his mouth presses upon him” (Mishlei 16:26), you must say that he was c …
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Who is a Torah Ignoramus? Sotah 22 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 20th, 2023
Our Gemara on amud aleph lists various criteria that describe an ignoramus (in Torah), as called by the Gemara, an Am-Ha’aretz: ×ªÖ¼Ö¸× ×•Ö¼ ×¨Ö·×‘Ö¼Ö¸× Ö·×Ÿ: ×ֵיזֶהוּ ×¢Ö·× ×”Ö¸×ָרֶץ? כֹּל ש×Ö¶×Öµ×™× ×•Ö¹ ×§×•Ö¹×¨Öµ× ×§Ö°×¨Ö´×™×ַת ש×ְמַע ש×ַחֲרִית וְעַרְבִית בְּבִרְכוֹתֶיהָ, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי מֵ×ִיר. ×•Ö·×—Ö²×›Ö¸×žÖ´×™× ×וֹמְרִי×: כֹּל ש×Ö¶× …
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Who is Testing Whom? Bava Basra 34 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
July 29th, 2024
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses certain legal situations where both claimants have an equally valid argument, and one has no default assumption of ownership over the other: There was an incident where two people dispute the ownership of property. This one says: It belonged to my ancestors and I inherited it from them, and that one says: It belonged to my ancestors and I inherited it from them. There was neither evidence nor presumptive o …
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Who is Wrong? The Rebbe or the Student? Sotah 4 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 2nd, 2023
People from my parents’ generation used to draw a comparison to the old style of chinuch versus the new post Dr. Spock generation. In the old days, if a child came home from school and was crying that the teacher hit him, the parent would hit him again and say, I“If your teacher hit you, it must be for a good reason!“ While in our times, if a child came home, complaining that the teacher hit him, the parents would rush to the sc …
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Who Wears The Pants in The Family? Eruvin 86 Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 3rd, 2020
Maseches Eruvin 86 גמ׳ ×מר רב הלכה כרבי שמעון ×•×“×•×§× ×‘×ª×• ×בל ×‘× ×• ×œ× ×“×מרי ××™× ×©×™ × ×‘×— בך ×›×œ×‘× ×¢×•×œ × ×‘×— בך ×’×•×¨×™×™×ª× ×¤×•×§: GEMARA: Rav said: The halakha is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Shimon. The Gemara comments: And this is the halakha only if one went to his daughter’s house; but if he went to his son’s house, no, this is not the halakha. One cannot be sur …
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Whom Do We Venerate? The Mitzvah or the One Who Performs It? Bava Kamma 9 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
November 10th, 2023
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the principle of Hiddur Mitzvah. There is an additional requirement beyond fulfillment of a mitzvah; that is to honor a mitzvah by somehow beautifying it. Rabbi Zeira said that for the embellishment of the performance of a mitzvah, one should spend up to one-third more than the cost. There is an apparent dispute between Rashi and Tosafos regarding the interpretation of "â…“ more." According to Rashi, one should s …
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Whose Orders Are We Following? Kiddushin 42 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
September 24th, 2023
In our Gemara, we've been discussing the concept of agency, "shelichut." Several important principles have emerged: It is more honorable to perform a mitzvah oneself rather than appointing an agent, even if the mitzvah could technically be carried out by someone else. The concept of "Letikune Shidarticha" suggests that if an agent performs an action that clearly contradicts the appointer's intent, the agency is not valid for that particular ac …
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