Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LSCW-R

March 18th, 2020

Coping with Anxiety video by Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LSCW-R     Photo by Aarón Blanco Tejedor on Unsplash …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 12th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a disappointing and challenging incident in the life of Queen Helene, and how this related to a dispute between Beis Shammai and Beis Hillel.   The Mishna on 19b states:   מַעֲשֶׂה בְּהֵילֵנִי הַמַּלְכָּה שֶׁהָלַךְ בְּנָהּ לְמִלְחָמָה וְאָמְרָה אִם יָבוֹא בְּנִי מִן הַמִּלְחָמָה בְּשָׁלוֹם אֱהֵ …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 8th, 2024

Continuing our study of the Gemara’s approach to contradictory statements, let us review the dispute between Ben Nanes and the Sages. If there is a discrepancy in the statements of a seller, where their first clause indicates approximation, and the second clause indicates specificity, or vice versa, Ben Nanes holds that we follow his last statement and the Sages hold that we choose the more conservative meaning within the contradiction. Tha …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 17th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud beis discusses what are the liabilities of a rented object.  A paid watchman is liable for ordinary theft that could have been prevented through vigilance, while an unpaid watchman is exempt, so long as he was not negligent.  The basic idea is that if you are paid, you are expected to devote more energy and focus on safeguarding the object.   However, a renter can be seen either way:  Is he like a paid watch …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 25th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the interesting halakhic idea of “Kavua.” Regarding most Torah prohibitions, the majority annuls the minority, and the prohibited substance or item is discounted. Yet, there are certain objects or situations where the solidity and fixedness interfere with nullification. The classic example is the “Ten Stores” case, as described in Pesachim (9b): דִּתְנַן: תֵּשַׁע חֲנוּ …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

August 6th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph and Beis discusses the dynamic of a Get given on a condition. Rav Shlomo Yosef Zevin in Resise Hegyonos (Parashas Re’eh) uses this Gemara to explain a Midrashic comment on the following verses (Devarim 11:26-27): רְאֵ֗ה אָנֹכִ֛י נֹתֵ֥ן לִפְנֵיכֶ֖ם הַיּ֑וֹם בְּרָכָ֖ה וּקְלָלָֽה׃  See, this day I set before you blessing and curse:  אֶֽת־הַבּ …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 26th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis records an incident of a woman whose husband was away for twelve months delivered a baby.  Obviously, there ought to be a concern that this child was a mamzer, yet the Gemara rules that it is conceivable that her pregnancy lasted for twelve months, and so the child is kosher. What I find fascinating about Gemaras such as these is that often we must say Nishtanu HaTibiyyim, the medical and physiological realities have …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 27th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a scenario where a daughter who is a minor accepts marriage in front of her father but without his explicit consent. The Gemara discusses what to make of his silence: is it assent or seething anger? This highlights an important aspect of human nature – a person can feel so trapped in a situation that he will externally comply while internally boiling with anger. As parents and educators, when we find oursel …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 31st, 2022

Honest acceptance of a limitation brings a person closer to transcending the limitation than stubbornly denying that there is one.  On a psychological level this is because we cannot work and grow to the fullest extent if we defensively deny the problem.   On a spiritual level, when we take things as far as we can, and then we give it over to God, He will close the gaps for us.  But if we just keep thinking, “I’m f …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 5th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph uses a metaphor to explain a structured legal process, likening it to a row of interleaved bricks. Rashi explains that in a wall of bricks, the second row is staggered so that the end points of each brick in the first row come out in the middle of bricks in the second row. This arrangement enhances stability. Otherwise, if a first brick on the wall's edge becomes loose, it could lead to the entire vertical row of first br …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 18th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the laws concerning a death-bed gift. Since the person is giving away his possessions with the tacit understanding that he is mortally ill, should he recover, his gifts are retracted.    The Divrei Mahari relates this (Toldos Bereishis 25:30-34) to Esav’s selling of his rights to the firstborn.     וַיָּ֥זֶד יַעֲקֹ֖ב נָזִ֑יד וַיָּבֹ֥א עֵשָׂ֛ו …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 22nd, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph explores whether tefillin fall under the category of nechasim. Are they excluded because of their sacred status and their unsuitability for sale, or are they included due to their utility as items worn on the body, similar to clothing? (See Rashbam, Sefer Torah.) The notion of tefillin as a type of malbush (clothing) brings to mind the Maharal’s (Be’er HaGolah 4) explanation of the metaphysical significance of …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 4th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Beis rules that the final line in the contract can only be a review of the contents, and cannot serve as evidence of any additional obligations or information. This is a safeguard against fraud, as this makes it difficult for a forger to squeeze in additional information between the bottom line of the contract and the witness’s signatures. Sefer Daf al Saf quotes Sefer Haikarim (IV:40) who uses this to add depth to the cl …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 29th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph teaches that though it is permitted to kill an informer, there is an opinion that one may still not take his possessions. (In times where the local government was cruel and unjust toward Jews, an informant in the community posed mortal danger.) The rationale for this distinction is provided by the Gemara:   Perhaps he will have righteous children, and it is written: The wicked may prepare it, but the just shall put i …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 20th, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the obligation to cite sources when quoting a teaching. But there is a chain of at least three scholars, such as, “rabbi so and so, in the name of rabbi so and so, in the name of rabbi so and so”, it is permissible to quote the first and last source, without stating the middle sources.  Presumably, the point of quoting the first and last source is to provide basic verification by preserving the o …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 17th, 2022

  In our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us that according to one opinion the Jews of the wilderness could not undergo circumcision due to the travails of traveling, which would endanger their lives post operatively. Ritva asks, why was Moshe punished for not circumcising Eliezer, since he was traveling and could not endanger Eliezer anyhow? Ritva answers that Moshe could have paused on his journey and waited several days until Eliezer recovered, …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 18th, 2020

  תַּנְיָא, רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בֶּן תַּדַּאי אוֹמֵר: אֶחָד זֶה וְאֶחָד זֶה צְרִיכִין לְעָרֵב. וַאֲפִילּוּ לָזֶה בְּיַיִן וְלָזֶה בְּיַיִן? It was taught in a baraita: Rabbi Eliezer ben Taddai says: In both this case, of wine and wine, and that case, of wine and oil, they must establish an eiruv. The Gemara expresses wonder: Did h …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 2nd, 2024

Our Gemara on amud beis explains why the rabbis instituted a variation on the typical get (divorcement bill) that required an elaborate process of folds and stitches to complete it. Essentially, it was a delay tactic: The Gemara asks: And what is the reason that the Sages instituted the tied document? The Gemara explains: There was a place where there were many priests, and they were very quick tempered, and they would seek to divorce their wives …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 3rd, 2020

Eruvin 25 אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב פַּפִּי: מִשּׁוּם דְּאַתּוּ מִמּוּלָאֵי אָמְרִיתוּ מִילֵּי מוּלְיָיאתָא. הָנָךְ מְחִיצוֹת, לְגַוַּאי — עֲבִידָן, לְבָרַאי — לָא עֲבִידָן. Rav Pappi said to him: Because you come from truncated [mula’ei] people, as Rav Beivai’s family traced their lineage to the house of E …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 14th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses various rights and courtesies that are granted to the owner of an adjoining field, such as first choice in purchasing the property over other buyers if it is on the market. This law, known as Bar Mitzrah (owner of a bordering field) is conceptualized as an obligation to grant courtesy to the neighbors, because there is much more of a benefit for the neighbor to buy this field in particular.  The other buyer …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 17th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses different scenarios of conversion, such as if parents convert with children, as well as possibly if the child is an orphan and adopted, if he can be converted by the Beis Din and go to a foster family. Because a minor cannot really give consent, there also is a discussion about whether he can renege when he becomes Bar Mitzvah. The Rishonim, including Tosafos, grapple with the legal and halakhic mechanisms that …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

March 16th, 2025

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses various transgressions and consequences related to a prophet suppressing his own prophecy and a Jewish person disregarding the words of a prophet: With regard to one who suppresses his prophecy because he does not wish to share it with the public, one who contemptuously forgoes the statement of a prophet and refuses to heed it, and a prophet who violates his own statement and fails to perform what he was command …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

October 23rd, 2023

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the protocol for reading the Tetragrammaton. Although it is spelled with the letters Yud, Heh, Vav, etc., it is pronounced as Ado--nai. The Yud-Heh, etc., name in Hebrew implies an intrinsic existence that makes itself. The Ado—nai name in Hebrew refers to God as a master or Lord. The duality between the pronunciation, and the word that is seen on the page, represents a fundamental duality and tension in t …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 13th, 2020

This Gemara discusses Kameyos and perhaps it is A good idea to have a better understanding about these unusual objects. It is an inescapable fact that for thousands of years Jewish people, and also people from other religions have used various amulets and charms with material written on them. I cannot comment on what other religions use them for or if they have validity or permissibility,  however in Jewish thought we see they are used. The …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 12th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses the damage that mustard might cause to a nearby beehive, and the various liabilities that neighbors have toward each other:   “One must likewise distance mustard from bees that are in a neighbor’s field.”   Rashi explains that the mustard is sharp and that taste causes the bees to seek out a sweet taste afterward, inducing them to consume their own honey. Which is, of course, a loss o …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 23rd, 2022

Our Gemara engages in a complex legal discussion involving situations where a person provides an unsolicited service of value to another.  Say, for example, you enter into another person’s field and plow and plant it.  While he did not ask for this, the owner will receive some benefit for this, and therefore the halacha is that he must pay for the service nonetheless.  The amount is subject to adjustment though, and depends o …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 24th, 2023

In our Gemara on Amud Aleph, a discussion revolves around a particular eye disease and its potential cure. Tosafos raises a contradiction between our Gemara and Bechoros (38b), where the latter categorizes this disease as a permanent blemish rather than a temporary one. The distinction lies in the fact that a temporary blemish does not render a sacrifice invalid nor allow for its redemption, while a permanent blemish does. (Instead, one must wait …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

July 17th, 2020

מַתְנִי׳ מַרְחִיצִין אֶת הַקָּטָן בֵּין לִפְנֵי הַמִּילָה וּבֵין לְאַחַר הַמִּילָה, וּמְזַלְּפִין עָלָיו בַּיָּד, אֲבָל לֹא בִּכְלִי. רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן עֲזַרְיָה אוֹמֵר: מַרְחִיצִין אֶת הַקָּטָן בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁי שֶׁחָל לִהְיוֹת בְּ …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 11th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis describes various odd behaviors that could be indicators of insanity. The Gemara discusses someone who wanders alone at night as not conclusive evidence of insanity, because perhaps “gandripas” took hold of him. What is this problem called גנדריפס? Rashi here offers two opinions: An illness that comes from worry. Being overheated and needing fresh air What is the etymology of this word? Looking at Jast …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 11th, 2022

  Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us the very strange story of how the Angel of Death mistakenly took the wrong person. He was supposed to take Miriam the Hairdresser but instead took Miriam the Nanny. The error came from the similarity of their names: Miriam Megadla Sear Miriam who braids hair, and Miriam who raises children Miriam Megadla dardeki.  Once the error is realized, it’s too late and both Miriams are taken by the Grim Re …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 10th, 2022

Our Gemara on amud aleph relates the machlokes between the house of Shamai and the house of Hillel regarding what is the age of a child whom the parents are obligated to bring up for the festival pilgrimage. Who has the status of a minor with regard to this halakha? Any child who is unable to ride on his father’s shoulders and ascend from Jerusalem to the Temple Mount; this is the statement of Beis Shammai. And Beis Hillel say: Any child wh …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

December 9th, 2022

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

October 13th, 2024

Our Gemara on amud aleph offers advice on how to determine a suitable mate based on lineage:   Rava says: One who marries a woman needs to first examine her brothers so that he will know in advance what character his children will have, as it is stated: “And Aaron took Elisheva, the daughter of Amminadav, the sister of Nahshon” (Exodus 6:23). By inference from that which is stated: “The daughter of Amminadav,” do I no …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 27th, 2022

Our Gemara mentions the extensive additional restrictions, that the Rabbanim who were known as perushim, took upon themselves. They would conduct themselves with stringencies that treated ordinary non/sacred foods as if they were sacred. They conducted themselves with similar maintenance of ritual Purity as if they were Cohanim who ate of the sacrifices. From what I can tell, the term Perushim and Chaverim are analogous in Shas (See Yachin Demai …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

April 21st, 2022

Our Gemara on amud beis tells us that though we discourage the convert in order to determine his or her motivations, and to make sure he or she is fully committed. However, once he agrees, we begin the process immediately.  The Gemara says this is because we do not delay a mitzvah.  Once could especially imagine that as an adult, if the process also involved circumcision, it is frightening. Therefore it is a good idea to follow through …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

January 2nd, 2023

Don’t you wish you had a relationship rewind button?  Wouldn't it be nice if after we said something stupid or hurtful, we can just delete it?  No long tortured apologies, just, “Oops, I should not have said that, please strike it from the record!” Our Gemara on this Daf discusses various permutations of the father’s and/or husband’s ability to annul the young daughter’s, or wife’s, vow.  O …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

June 26th, 2022

What are the bounds and limits for helping another person out, and to what extent is there a legal halachic obligation?  Our Gemara on amud beis describes a situation where a man is not obligated personally to perform chalitzah, as according to his account he is not bound by yibum and she was not able to furnish objective proof as to her status.  However, the woman, according to her subjective account, is bound by her own admission.&nbs …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

November 20th, 2022

Our Gemara on this daf discusses the halakhic concept of הנדר שהותר מקצתו. הותר כולו if a portion of a vow is deemed null, then the entire vow may be rendered invalid. As we discussed in Psychology of the Daf Nedarim 22, there are two legal mechanisms to annul a vow.  Beis Din must either come up with a reason that you “regretted” having made it, known as “charata”, or that there was a certain ci …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

September 5th, 2022

A fixture of Jewish lore is Giluy Eliyahu, that is a revelation of Eliyahu the Prophet. What is this experience and how does it compare to prophecy and Ruach Hakodesh? Is it something that can still be experienced today? The Gemara (Sotah 48b) speaks of a cessation of the ability to experience prophecy and ruach Hakodesh in successive generations but notably never ruled out a final mode of divine revelation, the bas kol. (Elsewhere in Psychology …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

February 15th, 2023

  Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the phenomenon of a sin that was not committed, but only due to technical interference. In other words, the person really wanted to commit the sin, just somehow circumstances prevented him from doing so: תָּנוּ רַבָּנַן אִישָׁהּ הֲפֵרָם וַה׳ יִסְלַח לָהּ בְּאִשָּׁה שֶׁהֵפֵר לָהּ בַּעְלָהּ וְהִיא לֹא יָדְעָה הַכּ …
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