Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 21st, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph describes the actions and words that the Inciter (to commit idolatry) must say in order to be liable for the death penalty. An example is how he might educate someone about a particular mode of idol worship and its rituals: “There is an idol in such and such a place, which eats like this, drinks like this, does good for its worshippers like this, and harms those who do not worship it like this.” It is curious …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 21st, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph analyzes the verse in Vayikra 20:9 that warns against cursing one’s parents: If anyone curses his father and mother, that person shall be put to death; that person has cursed father and mother—and retains the bloodguilt. In various halakhic discussions throughout the Talmud, a linguistic question arises regarding how to understand the Biblical letter vav when it serves as a conjunction. Does it mean “and …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 20th, 2025

Our daf discusses the various prohibitions against divining omens and portents. The relevant verses are found in Devarim (18:10-18):   Let no one be found among you who consigns a son or daughter to the fire, or who is an augur, a soothsayer, a diviner, a sorcerer,  one who casts spells, or one who consults ghosts or familiar spirits, or one who inquires of the dead. For anyone who does such things is abhorrent to Hashem, and it is …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 19th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes a profound theological principle: "The seal of the Holy One, Blessed be He, is truth."   Let us delve deeper into this idea. The Likkutei Halachos (Birchos Hahoda’ah 6:29) illustrates how emes—truth—is embedded within Hashem’s very name. When Moshe asks how he should identify God to the Jewish people, Hashem responds (Shemos 3:14):   “Ehyeh-Asher-Ehyeh,” and c …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 18th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis offers an insight into what truly motivated the Jews to engage in idolatry—an insight that remains relevant in our times as well. Even though explicit idolatry is much less prevalent today, heretical beliefs that deny or subvert the Torah certainly persist as a challenge. The Talmud’s psychological analysis of idolatry can similarly be applied to many forms of modern heresy. The Gemara states: Rav Yehuda says t …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 17th, 2025

Our Gemara on amud beis discusses the degree of liability when a person commits idolatry but is unaware that the Torah forbids it. The Gemara’s primary focus is on whether and what kind of sacrifice must be brought. However, we will set aside that aspect and explore a different dimension of this topic: How does the Torah relate to accidental heresy? What if a yerei shamayim—a God-fearing and sincere seeker of truth—misinterprets …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 16th, 2025

Our Gemara on amud beis discusses the halacha regarding one who incites others to sin through idolatry. There appears to be a contradiction between two teachings. One teaching suggests that merely verbally accepting the inciter’s proposition—agreeing to worship—is already considered a sinful act of incitement. Another teaching, however, implies that liability for incitement only occurs once the sin of idol worship has actually b …
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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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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 14th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the primordial snake in the Garden of Eden, suggesting that before its punishment, it was not merely a creature with arms and legs—it was an intelligent and functional being, designed to assist humanity. As taught in a baraisa, Rabbi Shimon ben Menasya states: Woe over a great attendant that has been lost to the world; had the snake not been cursed to crawl on its belly, each Jew would have had two fine sna …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 13th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the Jewish perspective on physical aggression: Reish Lakish states: One who raises his hand to strike another—even if he ultimately does not strike—is called wicked, as it is written: “And two men of the Hebrews were struggling with each other, and he said to the wicked one: Why should you strike your friend?” (Exodus 2:13). The phrase “Why did you strike?” is not stated; rathe …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 12th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses how the Torah does not recognize a marriage canopy (chuppah) or betrothal (eirusin) as components of a gentile marriage. Instead, a gentile marriage is ratified not through symbolic ritual but through cohabitation as husband and wife. Tosafos here raises a question: If so, why is Esav criticized for committing adultery with a betrothed maiden (Bava Basra 16b) if such a status carries no formal legal obligation? T …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 11th, 2025

 Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the Laws of the Sons of Noah. Some have raised the question: Why are they called the “Laws of the Sons of Noah”? Since these laws obligate all of humanity, shouldn't they be called the “Laws of the Sons of Adam”?   Some offer a simple answer: The only descendants from Adam who remained post-Flood were the Sons of Noah, so the term is technically accurate. Others answer tha …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 10th, 2025

Our Gemara notes a textual anomaly in the verse that discusses sodomy (Vayikra 18:22): The Hebrew term used is “Mishkave Isha,” which suggests plural, as in multiple forms of laying together. Therefore, the Gemara uses this plurality to deduce additional prohibited acts of sexuality even without complete entry. Although the pashut peshat might simply be that occasionally words are stated in the plural, like the royal “we,” …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 9th, 2025

Our Mishna on Amud Aleph mandates that an animal involved in a sexual act with a human be destroyed. While an animal cannot truly sin and should not be punished, its destruction serves to erase any lingering disgrace associated with the act. This is referred to in the Gemara as “kalon,” which signifies shame. In Gemara Kiddushin (19a), we find a discussion about the exemption of minors from capital punishment, even in cases of adulter …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 7th, 2025

Our Mishna on Amud Aleph outlines the penalties for those liable to stoning, including one who curses their father or mother. Yet, the Mishna later (84b) states that the penalty for striking one’s parents is strangulation. While the actual administration of these penalties was an extremely rare event, as the Mishna in Makkos (1:10) notes, we must still recognize that the presence of these laws and punishments conveys a significant message a …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 7th, 2025

Our Gemara discusses the sudden and mysterious death of the sons of Aharon, who were consumed by a heavenly fire. This fire is described as burning their souls but leaving their bodies untouched.   The verse (Vayikra 10:1) attributes this calamity to the sons of Aharon bringing a “strange fire” before Hashem.   Our Gemara explains that their true sin was their secret desire—or, according to some, even a verba …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 6th, 2025

Our Gemara on amud beis refers to a concept known as Hilchesa Lemishicha and Drosh Vekabel Sachar—meaning that certain laws, though not currently applicable, are studied either in preparation for their observance in Messianic times or simply for the inherent reward of Torah study. The Laws of Sanhedrin and the Laws of Sacrifices fall into this category, as they will only be practically fulfilled after the arrival of Moshiach.   Th …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 5th, 2025

Our Gemara on amud aleph deduces that the subverters —those who encouraged the idolatrous practice of an Ir HaNidachas—are worse than the actual sinners themselves. (An Ir HaNidachas is a city condemned to be decimated due to a significant portion of its populace being identified as idolaters.) This distinction is reflected in the punishments each receives: the inhabitants are merely executed by the sword, while the subverters suffer …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 4th, 2025

After the story about how Dovid HaMelech’s curses boomeranged back upon his descendants, our Gemara on amud aleph begins with an adage: Be the one who is cursed and not the one who curses, as a curse eventually returns to the one who curses. The Maharal (Gur Aryeh 19:19) explains this idea with greater metaphysical depth. He states that if one curses someone who is undeserving of the curse, it will rebound upon him. Maharal compares this to …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 3rd, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the dangers of cursing someone and how it can backfire:  Rav Yehuda says that Rav says: All the curses that David invoked upon Joab were ultimately fulfilled in David’s descendants, due to the curse that Solomon accepted upon himself. David cursed Joab: “Let the house of Joab never lack those who are afflicted with a discharge, or a leper, or who hold onto a staff, or fall by the sword, or lack b …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 2nd, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph describes a situation where a person was obligated to bring a sin offering for an unwitting transgression, but later became an apostate. In this case, even if the person wanted to offer the sacrifice, it would not be accepted due to their heretical status. But what if they later repented? Ulla says, quoting Rabbi Yoḥanan: If someone unwittingly ate forbidden fat and designated a sin offering, but then became an apostate …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 31st, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a Jewish version of emergency powers, whereby, in times of crisis, the Jewish court may take extra-legal steps and mete out punishments without due process: Rabbi Eliezer ben Ya’akov says: “I heard that the court may administer lashes and capital punishment, even when not required by Torah law. However, they may not administer these punishments with the intention of violating the statement of the Tor …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 31st, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the capital punishment of stoning, which includes stripping the condemned person of their clothing to expedite their death. However, there is a dispute between Rabbi Yehuda and the Sages regarding whether a woman who is stoned should also be stripped of her clothing. The Gemara analyzes this disagreement and offers the following reasoning behind their arguments: One Sage, i.e., the Sages, holds that minimizing o …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 30th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph wonders why the entire Jewish people were punished for Achan’s sin, given the principle that collective responsibility only applies when the sin is known publicly. If nobody knew about Achan’s crime, how could they be held liable?   The Gemara answers: Achan’s offense was not entirely secret because his wife and children knew about it, and they did not protest.   This answer is diffic …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 29th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis relates an aggadah about Yehoshua’s attempt to discover the identity of the sinner who secretly took from the banned spoils. When Yehoshua asks God to reveal the culprit, God refuses, declaring, “Shall you make Me into an informer?” Instead, God suggests that Yehoshua use a system of lots, which would identify the offender. The Gemara also compares this to the lottery later used to divide the land of Isra …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 28th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph compares one who fulfills the mitzvah of blessing the new month at its proper time to one who has seen the face of the Shekhina. What is the connection between the mitzvah of blessing the Moon and encountering the Shekhina? Various commentaries offer interpretations, each expressing a different dimension of our relationship with God. The Meiri explains that observing and blessing the renewal of the Moon brings about an aw …
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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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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 26th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the process of cross-examining witnesses to assess their consistency and credibility: The mishna continues: And afterward, after the court examines the first witness, they bring in the second witness and examine him. If the statements of the witnesses are found to be congruent, the court begins to deliberate the matter. Sefer Daf al Daf recounts an incident where a respected community member was accused of sever …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 24th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph recounts an intriguing polemic between Rabban Gamliel and a Roman emperor: The emperor said to Rabban Gamliel: It is written in praise of the Lord: “He counts the number of the stars; He gives them all their names” (Psalms 147:4). What is His greatness? I can also count the stars. Rabban Gamliel brought quinces, placed them in a sieve, and spun them. He said to the emperor: Count them. The emperor said: Stand …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 24th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph describes how every human being was endowed by the Creator with unique features, stating that no two people look alike. It can sometimes be challenging to discern whether the Gemara is presenting an absolute rule or a general observation. The Gemara serves as a legal record but also contains parables and allegories. For example, if the Gemara praises God for creating beautiful roses, is this merely a general statement of …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 23rd, 2025

Our Gemara describes the seating order of the Sanhedrin and how it was arranged according to the scholars’ credentials: “And three rows of Torah scholars sit before the judges, and each and every one among those sitting recognizes his place, i.e., they are seated in accordance with their stature.” It seems there was an official or unofficial, tacitly recognized pecking order, likely a combination of seniority and acknowledged su …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 22nd, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph recounts critical figures at particular junctures in Jewish history: “From the days of Moses until the days of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, we do not find unparalleled greatness in Torah knowledge and unparalleled greatness in secular matters, including wealth and high political office, combined in one place, i.e., in a single individual… Rav Adda bar Ahava says: I also say a similar statement, that from the days of …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 21st, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses why we do not judge capital cases on Erev Shabbos: “And if we say: We should judge him on Shabbos eve, conclude his verdict on Shabbos, and kill him on Sunday, you are found to have caused a delay in his verdict, as the accused will have to wait overnight knowing he is condemned to death.  And if we say: We should judge him on Shabbos eve and conclude his verdict on Sunday, the judges will forget thei …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 20th, 2025

Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses various safeguards that are put in place to advocate for the defendant in a capital case during the deliberation phase of the trial. Once one of the judges offers arguments in the defendant’s defense, the judge can no longer advocate for conviction. However, the reverse is possible: a judge who argued for conviction may also offer arguments for exoneration. Rav, however, offers a key distinction, which she …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 19th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses extra efforts to defend a suspect in a capital case, emphasizing the importance of finding every possible angle to mitigate the crime. One aspect of this approach is that the court will favor and allow appeals based on new evidence or novel arguments for exoneration, as opposed to later discovering arguments for conviction. The Mishna teaches that in cases of capital law, the court may bring the accused back to b …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 17th, 2025

There is an Israeli saying: “The two dead drivers were both right.” Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses situations where it is morally acceptable for Beis Din to seek compromise, even when strict law might dictate different rights. When the verse states, “Justice, justice, shall you follow,” one mention of “justice” refers to judgment, and the other refers to compromise. How is this understood? Consider a scenari …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 17th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis offers an intriguing expression of praise for the sage, Mar Ukva: "He who has light upon him, like Moses, who is called the son of Batya." The commentaries question why Mar Ukva is specifically described in this way, and why Moshe is principally identified as the son of Batya (who, according to the Midrash, was Pharaoh’s daughter and raised him). Rashi cites a tradition that Mar Ukva’s initial repentance and aw …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 16th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses an intriguing legal case with metaphysical implications: In a case where someone was distressed about money left as an inheritance by his father, unable to locate it, the master of the dream, i.e., the angel overseeing dreams, appeared and revealed the exact amount and location of the money, but added that it was second tithe (maaser sheni). Upon finding the money as described, the case was brought before the Sa …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 15th, 2025

The Mishna on amud aleph states that witnesses were intimidated with warnings about the catastrophic spiritual and physical consequences of false testimony, aiming to deter potential perjurers. Our Gemara on amud aleph explores the specific message conveyed to these witnesses. Initially, the Gemara considers a warning based on a verse indicating that false testimony leads to starvation through famine. This idea is rejected because the rabbis reas …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 14th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the status of the parents of children who marry each other (known in Yiddish as machatonim), and whether their closeness disqualifies them from serving as witnesses: The father of the groom and the father of the bride can testify about each other, as they are considered to each other like a lid on a barrel. The Gemara uses a metaphor of a lid on a barrel to describe the relationship between the two parents/in-law …
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