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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When the Sacrifice is Not to Sacrifice Shavuous 11 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 2nd, 2025
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the principle of lev beis din masneh, which essentially means that the rabbinic court allows itself an assumption that sacrifices are dedicated with a conditional clause subject to the judicial will of the sages. Therefore, in certain isolated situations when there is no choice, something that was sanctified and dedicated for a sacrifice can be reversed and annulled because the entire dedication was under an ass …
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Less Talk, More Torah: The Art of Concise Teaching Shavuous 6 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 7th, 2025
Rashi on Amud Aleph (“Yomru”) quotes a dictum from Pesachim (3b): “One should always teach his students in a concise manner.” What is the purpose and extent of this directive? The Maharal (Tiferes Yisrael 69) says that it is an order that a student on any level would understand the fundamentals. Students who are wiser can develop by reading between the lines or asking follow-up questions. According to the Maharal, then, th …
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Is There Wisdom Outside of Torah? Shavuous 5 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 6th, 2025
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes Iyov (28:13-28) about the inestimable value of wisdom and how it cannot be bought, traded, or compared to anything else. Chazal understand these verses to refer to the particular wisdom of Torah. It is an interesting question whether, from the Torah’s perspective, there exists wisdom outside the Torah. Logically speaking, there is no theological need for the Torah to encompass all wisdom, so long as what it c …
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Skin Deep or Soul Deep? The Negaim Warning Shot Shavuous 4 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 5th, 2025
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the prohibition against cutting off a tzoraas (skin blemish that renders impurity, in Hebrew, nega or negaim, pl.). Not all skin afflictions are impure; the cohen must examine them and, according to certain criteria, decide if they are benign, require quarantine, or are immediately impure (see Vayikra 13). Tosafos (on our Gemara) discusses whether there is a prohibition on cutting off benign blemishes. Without d …
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The Exodus and Being on the Lamb Shavuous 3 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 4th, 2025
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the unique mitzvah to be careful not to break the bones of the Paschal sacrifice. What is the meaning of this mitzvah? The Maharal (Derashas Shabbos HaGadol 5) notes that three days are associated with the Pesach offering in Egypt: 1 Nisan (Rosh Chodesh), 10 Nisan (designating the animal for the Paschal offering), and 14 Nisan (the day of the actual service and offering). The command to take the Passover lamb is …
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Oaths and Omers: Shavuous’ Sefira Secrets Shavuous 2 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 2nd, 2025
We are beginning Masechta Shavuous. There is a custom to learn Maseches Shavuous during Sefira. Sefer Daf al Daf in his Introduction brings down a number of insights about this. Notably, there are 49 dappim in the mashechta, corresponding to the 49 days of the Omer, and the Chasam Sofer was careful to teach a sugya in shavuos every day of the Omer. Even more interesting, there is a custom to learn daf 34 on Lag Baomer, (as it really i …
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Counting Mitzvos: The Soul’s Lifeline to Divinity Makkos 24 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 2nd, 2025
Our Gemara on the end of 23b through the top of 24a discusses the 613 mitzvos, of which there are: 365 prohibitions, corresponding to the days in the solar year, and 248 positive mitzvos, corresponding to a person’s limbs. Rav Hamnuna said: What is the verse that alludes to this? It is written: “Moshe commanded to us the Torah, an inheritance of the congregation of Yaakov” (Devarim 33:4). The word Torah, in terms of its numerica …
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Lashes and Learning Makkos 23 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 1st, 2025
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph seeks to prove from a verse that the person who administers lashes decreed by Beis Din need not be a learned individual (unlike, perhaps, other agents of Beis Din activity). The verse states: “Forty he shall flog him; he shall not exceed, lest he continue to beat him” (Devarim 25:3). The Gemara explains: Granted, if even people lacking halachic knowledge are appointed, that is why it is necessary to warn them …
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Tightly Bound: The Ephod and Breastplate’s Spiritual Synergy Makkos 22 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 30th, 2025
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the biblical prohibition against removing the breastplate from the ephod. (The ephod is an embroidered garment attached to the breastplate, part of the vestments worn by the high priest.) The verse states: “And the breastplate shall not be separated (yizach) from the ephod” (Shemos 28:28). The Hebrew word yizach is a hapax legomenon, appearing only once in the Torah (Rasag, Introduction to Sefer Hami …
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Cutting Through Grief: A Torah Perspective on Self-Harm Makkos 21 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 29th, 2025
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the prohibition of tearing or cutting skin out of grief. The verse states (Devarim 14:1): “You are children of your God. You shall not gash yourselves or shave the front of your heads because of the dead.” Tosafos in Yevamos (13b, “Deamar”) asks: If so, how can it be that Rabbi Akiva hit himself until he bled over the death of Rabbi Eliezer (see Sanhedrin 68a)? Tosafos offers two answers: …
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God Does Not Cut Corners in Creation Makkos 20 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 18th, 2025
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the prohibition of shaving the corners of the head. Bereishis Rabbah (11:6) offers a relevant exchange: A philosopher asked Rabbi Hoshaya, “If circumcision is so dear to God, why was it not given to Adam?†Rabbi Hoshaya replied, “Why do you shave the corner of your head but leave the corner of your beard?†(Authors note: a dig at Yushka for violating the commandment to not shave the peyos.) The philosoph …
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Stairway to Heaven Makkos 19 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 18th, 2025
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph debates the status of Eretz Yisrael post-exile, questioning whether the initial conquest of Israel’s holiness persists, affecting mitzvos like tithing and holy foods exclusive to the land. Similarly, does the Temple’s sanctity endure, obligating one to bring firstborn animals to Jerusalem while the Temple stands? The Gemara states, “The initial consecration of the Temple sanctified Jerusalem for its time …
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Commission Impossible Makkos 18 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 18th, 2025
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes Devarim (12:17): You may not (lo suchal) eat within your gates the tithe of your grain. The Hebrew lo suchal literally translates as “you cannot,” not “you may not.” How can it say “you cannot” when one is physically able to do so, despite the prohibition? Kesav Vehakabbalah explains that prior strong admonitions make the taboo so intense that it feels like one cannot violate it. …
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A Genius Is Born, But A Tzaddik Is Made Makkos 17 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 18th, 2025
Our Gemara on Amud Beis records a striking statement: Rava says with regard to Rabbi Shimon’s statement in the baraisa: Anyone whose mother is bearing a child who is like Rabbi Shimon (Bar Yochai), she should bear that child, and if not, it is preferable that she does not bear him at all. Aggados often employ hyperbole (see Shiltei HaGiborim on Avodah Zarah 6a), but this passage is challenging. Why should a mother regret bearing any child, …
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Oral Arguments Makkos 16 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 18th, 2025
Our Gemara on Amud Beis describes two behaviors deemed intrinsically repulsive, violating lo teshakzu (“Do not make yourself repulsive,” Vayikra 14:43): Delaying a pressing need to use the bathroom. Drinking from a cup (horn) used by a bloodletter. Many poskim hold that this prohibition is rabbinic, as the verse actually addresses eating non-kosher crawling animals (see Ritvah ibid, Beis Yosef YD 121). What if something is subjectiv …
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Truth or Torah: Rabbi Yochanan’s Retraction Dilemma Makkos 15 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 18th, 2025
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph recounts a halachic discussion where Rabbi Yochanan’s colleagues challenge a teaching attributed to him, asking, “Did you indeed say this?” He replies, “I did not.” In fact, he had said it but later reversed his position (see Rashi). Rabbi Yochanan’s denial, despite his retraction, raises the question of whether sources may be falsified for a “higher truth,” such as preservi …
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Lashes and Loopholes Makkos 14 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 18th, 2025
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses an exception to the general rule of lav hanitak le-aseh. This rule states that a Torah prohibition accompanied by a positive commandment to rectify it does not incur the penalty of lashes. A classic example is theft, which carries a separate commandment to return the stolen object (Vayikra 5:23), thus exempting the thief from lashes. The rationale is straightforward: there’s no need to punish someone who ca …
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Eliezer’s Freudian Slip: A Wife Hunt with a Hidden Agenda Makkos 13 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 18th, 2025
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a textual concern regarding Biblical language: Rabbi Avin says that Rabbi Elai says: Wherever it is stated in the Torah the terms: Observe, lest, or do not, it is nothing other than a prohibition. (The words Hishamer—guard, pen—lest, and al—let not, will have an implication of avoiding a negative possibility.) This is in contrast to the Hebrew words “iylu” or “ulay,&rdqu …
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Murderer or VIP? The Exile’s Humblebrag Dilemma Makkos 12 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
May 2nd, 2025
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the social status of, and obligation to disclose upon, the person in exile: In the case of a murderer who was exiled to a city of refuge and the people of the city sought to honor him due to his prominence, he shall say to them: I am a murderer. If the residents of the city say to him: We are aware of your status and nevertheless we wish to honor you, he may accept the honor from them. The Yerushalmi Shevi …
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God’s Cosmic Co-Sign: Free Will Meets Divine Will Makkos 10 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 18th, 2025
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the intriguing principle that God enables and directs a person along the path that he wishes to go. How far does this extend? Is it merely that God does not interfere, or in some way do human focus and direction channel where the divine Providence goes? The Gemara Sotah (34b) discusses God’s ambiguous directive to Moshe regarding the ill-fated mission of the Spies: It is stated in the Torah that God told Mo …
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Six Mitzvos, One Sanctuary: Your Portable Divine GPS Makkos 9 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 17th, 2025
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the six cities of refuge designated for the person who commits involuntary manslaughter. These cities functioned as a form of exile and punishment because there was negligence involved, but also as a protection from a relative who might kill him in retribution. This is why the cities’ names have an implication of refuge, with the literal translation of Arei Miklat being “cities of being gathered in.&r …
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Spare the Rod, Spoil the Mitzvah? Talmud’s Take on Tough Love Makkos 8 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 16th, 2025
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses an exemption for the punishment of exile for involuntary manslaughter. Even though there was still enough negligence that ordinarily would incur exile, if the person was involved in a mitzvah, he receives a special dispensation. The Gemara says this includes a father who disciplines his son via corporal punishment. Should his son die as a result of these blows, since he was performing a mitzvah, the father is ex …
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Death Penalty Debates: Sanhedrin’s Mercy or Anarchy? Makkos 7 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 15th, 2025
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph relates a dispute between Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Tarfon versus Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel. Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Tarfon seem to understand the Torah practice of capital punishment as largely a threat and deterrent, but in a practical manner, avoided at all costs via legal mechanisms and various defenses to acquit: Rabbi Tarfon and Rabbi Akiva say: If we had been members of the Sanhedrin, we would have conducted trials in a …
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Too Hard to Resist Makkos 6 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 14th, 2025
The Torah requires two witnesses to convict someone of a capital crime. Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a scenario: if two witnesses in a capital case observe two separate parts of a sinful act, can they join to be considered one set of witnesses? Rashi explains how this could be, such as if witnesses observed a forbidden sexual intercourse, where one saw the beginning and the other the end. Meaning, the sex act can happen over a period of time …
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Thoughts vs Actions Makkos 5 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 13th, 2025
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the famous principle that “eidim zommemim” (perjured witnesses) who testified in a capital case only receive the death penalty if they were caught after the court’s verdict but before the accused was executed. If the accused was executed though, the witnesses do not receive any punishment. Commentaries have offered various explanations for this seemingly unfair law. Some suggest tha …
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Slave to Desire Makkos 4 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 11th, 2025
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a legal principle: anyone who pays as punishment for a transgression is not flogged for that same transgression. In other words, in most situations, a person does not incur multiple penalties for the same infraction. The Mekhilta (Shemos 21:6) discusses why the Jewish servant who is sold to repay stolen goods, and then chooses to stay in servitude beyond his indenture, must have his ear pierced by the door: What …
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Return Policy Makkos 3 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 11th, 2025
Our Gemara on Amud Beis describes a nuanced halacha: though one may not make a condition that contradicts a Torah rule, financial stipulations are a matter of convention and can be reconfigured. However, even so, the language must not undermine or reject the Torah rule—it must simply add a clause, reduction, or increase. For example, overcharging is forbidden in a sale, but one may stipulate the sale on condition that “you have no cla …
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Don’t Start Up with Me Makkos 2 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 10th, 2025
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the concept that one who confesses to a crime is exempt from punitive fines (though he must still make financial restitution). Ein Yitschok (Bereishis) explains that this is why God did not directly accuse Adam of eating from the Tree of Knowledge, but instead engaged in discussion and asked questions (see Rashi, Bereishis 3:9). God was giving Adam a chance to confess, thereby avoiding aspects …
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When the Ches Points Upwards Sanhedrin Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 19th, 2025
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Does God Refuse Repair Attempts? Sanhedrin 112 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 8th, 2025
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the concept of “The offering of the wicked is an abomination” (Proverbs 21:27). Although this verse comes from Mishlei, it appears to express an idea that is more than just rabbinic—it seems to be de’oraysa, a Torah principle. This is evident in its application to explain why the designated sacrifices of a person from an ir hanidachas, a condemned idolatrous city, must be destroyed and can …
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One Mitzvah Short of a Full Tank: Torah’s Fine Print Sanhedrin 111 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 11th, 2025
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph relates an interesting theological debate:
With regard to the verse: “Therefore, the netherworld has enlarged itself and opened its mouth without measure [livli ḥok]” (Isaiah 5:14),
Reish Lakish says: It is referring to one who leaves even one statute [ḥok] unfulfilled; the netherworld expands for him.
Rabbi Yoḥanan says: It is not satisfactory to God, their Master, that you said this ab …
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Moses and the Fake News Sanhedrin 110 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 6th, 2025
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the ugly politics of the Korach rebellion. One aspect was an apparent smear campaign against Moshe, accusing him of adultery.
While on the face of it, such an accusation seems absurd, the straightforward message and lesson of the Gemara is that politics and rhetoric can become dirty. People in positions of power are intrinsically suspect and therefore must take extra steps to not even have the appearance o …
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Being God Fearing Isn’t Rocket Science Sanhedrin 109 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 4th, 2025
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph gives us the midrashic backstory of the Tower of Bavel:
Rabbi Yirmeya bar Elazar says: They divided into three factions; one said: Let us ascend to the top of the tower and dwell there. And one said: Let us ascend to the top of the tower and engage in idol worship. And one said: Let us ascend to the top of the tower and wage war….
Rabbi Yoḥanan says: The uppermost third of the tower was burned, …
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Too Holy to Handle Sanhedrin 108 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 4th, 2025
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us about the fate of the Generation of the Exodus:
The members of the generation of the wilderness have no share in the World-to-Come and will not stand in judgment… this is the statement of Rabbi Akiva. Rabbi Eliezer says: The members of the generation of the wilderness were essentially righteous… It is they who entered into the covenant with God, and they will certainly be rewarded in the futur …
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Stir Up a Hornet’s Nest Sanhedrin 107 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 3rd, 2025
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses King David’s religious test:
A person should never bring himself to undergo a test of faith, as David, king of Israel, brought himself to undergo a test of faith and failed. David said before God: Master of the Universe, for what reason does one say in prayer: God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, and one does not say: God of David? God said to David: They have undergone ordeals befor …
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Reeds vs. Cedars: Exile’s Comforted Blessing Sanhedrin 106 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 2nd, 2025
Our Gemara at the end of 105b into 106a compares the curse of Ahijah the Shilonite to the blessing of Bilaam:
Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani says that Rabbi Yonatan says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are importunate” (Proverbs 27:6)? Better is the curse that Ahijah the Shilonite cursed the Jewish people than the blessing that Balaam the wicked blessed …
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God’s Cosmic Prenup Sanhedrin 105 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 1st, 2025
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph relates a moral and historical discussion between the prophet Yechezkel and his fellow Jews:
Ten people came and sat before the prophet Ezekiel. He said to them: Repent. They said to Ezekiel: In the case of a slave sold by his owner to another master, or a woman divorced by her husband, does this person have any claim upon that person? Since God gave the Jewish people to other masters, the ties that existed between …
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Merit Cannot Be Given, It Must Be Earned Sanhedrin 104 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 31st, 2025
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph explores why the wicked King Amon was spared certain humiliation and disparagement, while Menashe was not: The Gemara asks: For what reason did the tanna’im not enumerate the wicked Amon among the kings with no share in the World-to-Come? The Gemara answers: He is not enumerated due to the honor of Josiah, his righteous son. The Gemara then challenges: Let us also not enumerate Menashe due to the honor of Hezekiah, …
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Tunnel Vision and Repentance Sanhedrin 103 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 30th, 2025
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph describes how God circumvented the regular channels of prayer to allow Menashe’s repentance to be accepted. Apparently, the unparalleled bloodshed of his regime—among other despotic and wicked acts—was so severe that the normal process of prayer and repentance was blocked. A supernatural, extra-legal intervention was required, directly orchestrated by God. Let us examine the Gemara’s precise wordin …
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Poisonous Routes Sanhedrin 102 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
March 28th, 2025
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the origin story of Yeravam ben Nevat, one of the most wicked kings in Jewish history. As is often the case with such figures, Yeravam was not merely a villain—he was a man of immense Torah knowledge and potential, a tragic archetype of wasted greatness. The verse states: “And the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him on the way, and he was clad in a new [ḥadasha] garment, and the two were alone i …
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