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Psychology of the Daf Yomi

The Daf Yomi through a Psychological Lens.

A Gold Brick in the Sewer: Intrinsic Worth in the Laws of Arachin Bechoros 4

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the laws of arachin, which are the set valuations that apply to different individuals at different ages, as delineated in Vayikra (ch. 27). These valuations are donated to the Temple, and are standard amounts. Though they vary based on broad categories of age and gender, they do not vary based on the individual. More so, through a scriptural derivation, the sages rule that even a repulsive man and one afflic …

Fallen Cedar, Rising Returnees: The Lettuce, the Wagons, and the Tzaddiks Lapse Bechoros 57

On Amud Beis, we have a series of bizarre-sounding statements, which are likely coded mystical ideas that the Rabbis believed should be expressed in a roundabout, indirect manner. Let us look at one such teaching, and what it might mean:“Rabbi Yishmael ben Satriel also testified before Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi: The lettuce in our locale has 600,000 leaves in its core. Rabbi Yishmael ben Satriel further testified before Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi: Once …

Birth of Obligation: Completeness, Vulnerability, and Returning to God Bechoros 56

On this daf we learn that the obligation to tithe the animal becomes activated at birth; therefore, if animal fetuses are purchased in utero, the new owner will be obligated in tithing since at the time they were born they were in his possession.Beis Yaakov (Vayetze) comments on this phenomenon globally. He observes that when something is still incomplete, it remains undifferentiated and therefore is automatically attached to God. He says thi …

Born to Tithe: Yaakovs Purchase and the Power of the Commanded Mitzvah Bechoros 55

The Mishna on Amud Beis rules:“One who purchases an animal or has an animal that was given to him as a gift is exempt from separating animal tithe.”Yismach Moshe (Vayetze 10) uses this idea to explain Yaakov’s choice of language in his terms to Lavan, and also brings to light a deep idea about mitzvos. In Bereishis (30:31–32) Yaakov proposes that all the newborn sheep and goats that were brown, speckled or spotted shall be his, while the …

16-Mil Vision: Shepherds Sight and Pre-Industrial Eyes Bechoros 54

Our Gemara on Amud Beis makes an estimation that the typical shepherd can see for 16 mil. This estimation is used to calculate how and when to consider a flock of sheep as connected for tithing purposes, as there needs to be a minimum grouping of ten for the obligation to become activated.16 mil is roughly between 9–10 miles, which indicates a supernaturally high degree of eyesight even for clear and flat land. Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer (Haz …

Tithe for Tat: Yaakovs Maaser and the Esav Exchange Bechoros 53

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph records a dispute between Rabbi Akiva and the sages regarding whether there is an obligation to tithe animals outside of Eretz Yisrael. Rabbi Akiva says they are not obligated, while the sages hold that there is an obligation.There is an odd Yalkut Shimoni (133) which describes an debate between Esav’s guardian angel, who wrestled with Yaakov, and the angel holding Yaakov accountable for not tithing his animals. In …

Firstborn of the Spirit: Why the Yetzer Tov Is Older Than the Yetzer Hara Bechoros 52

Our Gemara cites a verse (Devarim 21:17) emphasizing the right of the firstborn: “And to him is his right to the law of the firstborn.”The concept of firsts is significant in Torah theology. Hevel intuitively realizes the importance of dedicating his first produce to God (Bereishis 4:4), and this is duplicated in the ritual of Bikkurim (Devarim 26:2). Judaism is hierarchical, recognizing firsts as important, and it is taken for granted th …

Son or Silver? The Rhetoric of Redemption Bechoros 51

Our Gemara on Amud Beis relates an incident with halachic implications regarding the attitude and assumptions that the father and the Kohen should have when granting and receiving the 5 selah for the pidyon haben.Rabbi Ḥanina, a kohen, was accustomed to take the redemption money and return it. On one occasion, he saw that a certain man from whom he had received the redemption money for his son was passing to and fro before him, to hint to R …

Three Hundred Silver Pieces: The Price of Binyamins Public Shame Bechoros 50

Tosafos on Amud Aleph (Demizdavna) notes that, at least in the ancient economy, a gold coin of the same weight as a silver coin is twelve times more valuable. Therefore, a 25 selah of gold is worth 300 silver selah.Sefer Daf Al Daf brings down from the Ovstrovtser Rebbe that this valuation system can help us understand why Yosef gave Binyamin Three Hundred Silver Coins (Bereishis 45:22). Yerushalmi Bava Kama (8:6) states that one who embarras …

Naked Spiritual Ambition Bechoros 49

The Mishna on Amud Aleph states: “If the firstborn son dies within thirty days of birth, although the father gave five selah to the kohen, the kohen must return it. If the firstborn son dies after thirty days have passed, even if the father did not give five selah coins to the priest he must give it then.”Tosafos here comments that ordinarily the father recites two blessings, the one specific to redeeming the firstborn and the shehecheyanu bl …

No Half Measures in Serving God Bechoros 48

Our Gemara on Amud Beis describes a complex halachic situation where two twin brothers were born, but it is unclear who was the firstborn. Even though the father doesn’t know who is the firstborn, clearly he had a firstborn, so he still has to give the five sela to the kohen to redeem his firstborn. What if, subsequently, before performing the redemption, but after 30 days when the obligation commenced, the father died. Now, the inheritance has …

Little Green Men at the Kotel Bechoros 47

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph cites a verse from (Yeshaiyahu 45:18): “For thus said GOD, The Creator of heaven who alone is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who alone established it, Who did not create it a waste, But formed it for habitation: I am GOD, and there is none else.”The verse is used to explain an aspect of the mitzvah to have children, as we see it is God’s will that the Earth be inhabited by Man.The Rambam in the Guide …

The Case of the Dangerous Rebbe Bechoros 46

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph relates the halacha that a vow made under the consent of the public cannot be annulled. The Gemara adds that even so, if the vow pertains to enabling one to perform a matter of a mitzvah, it has the option of nullification. The Gemara then cites an incident involving a certain teacher of children, upon whom Rav Aḥa administered a vow to cease teaching based on the consent of the public, as he was negligent with regard t …

Activate Beast Mode Bechoros 44

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a formula for certain kinds of material and spiritual success:“Reish Lakish says: What is the meaning of that which is written: ‘There shall not be male or female barren among you, or among your cattle’ (Deuteronomy 7:14)? It means as follows: When will there not be a barren male among you? At a time that you act as among your cattle… Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi says, with regard to the same verse, that t …

Blemish in the Future Tense: Physical Defects as Spiritual Messages Bechoros 43

Our Gemara on this daf discusses various physical defects that disqualify a kohen from serving in the Temple.The verse in the Torah that discusses this disqualification states (Vayikra 21:17):“Speak to Aaron and say: No man among your offspring throughout the ages who shall have a defect (asher yihye) shall be qualified to offer the food of his God.”Kli Yakkar notes that the language asher yihye is in future tense “shall have.” He …

Tumtum Origin Story: Avraham and Sarahs Unrevealed Potential Bechoros 42

Our Gemara on this daf discusses the various halachos of the tumtum, a person or animal born with external genitalia covered by skin to the extent that one cannot determine gender.There is an odd sounding Aggadah that states not only did the patriarchs suffer from infertility, which is more or less plainly seen in the Biblical text, but Avraham and Sarah were also tumtumin (Yevamos 64a). This teaching begs for additional explanation because e …

Boil-ing Point: Moshes Humility Surpasses the Social Pariahs Bechoros 41

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses various skin blemishes, distinguishing between those that heal and those that remain:“This ruling of the mishna is referring to moist boils, whereas that garav of the Torah is referring to dry boils. Moist boils will heal and therefore are considered a temporary blemish for which one may not slaughter a firstborn; dry ones will not heal… there are three types of garav: First, the garav of the verse that …

Equal Opportunity Stringency: Why Forbidding the Permitted Is as Bad as Permitting the Forbidden Bechoros 40

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph relates a dispute between Rabbi Yochanan ben Nuri and the sages regarding whether a certain firstborn is permissible for consumption. Rabbi Akiva exclaims: “Until when will you consume the property of the Jewish people by prohibiting animals in such cases?” Rabbi Yoḥanan ben Nuri said to Rabbi Akiva: “Until when will you feed the Jewish people unslaughtered animal carcasses?”Was Rabbi Akiva merely using rhet …

Connection Is Medicine: The Firstborns Social Prescription Bechoros 39

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the efficacy of a particular medicine that could heal a blemish for a firstborn animal. If the medicine can cure it, the disease is not considered a permanent blemish and thus the animal retains the sanctity of the firstborn. If the disease does not go away, we may not conclude that it is a permanent blemish unless the medicine was administered under optimal conditions. Some notable conditions that affect the he …

Ben Bias: When a Sage Cannot Rule on His Own Firstborn Bechoros 38

Our Gemara on Amud Beis relates a story about a great Torah scholar who would not allow himself to rule on a blemish of his own firstborn animal. This follows the halachic ruling that when it comes to certain things, the rabbis added an extra degree of caution and concern that the financial stakes would bias the ruling. The Mishna (Negaim 2:5) states that the rabbi did not allow a rabbi to rule over personal matters in three areas: Firstborn blem …

Consumed by Guilt: Retroactive Refunds for Forbidden Meat Bechoros 37

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a situation where someone sold a forbidden food and the buyer consumed it. Is the buyer to be refunded because he was sold a product he never would have wanted, or since he consumed it, in the end he received the benefit?“In the case of one who slaughters a firstborn animal and sells its meat, and it was discovered that he did not initially show it to one of the Sages, the halakha is that it was actually prohi …

Greetings from the Other World: Respect and Prophetic Concentration Bechoros 36

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a scenario whereby a person demonstrated respect for a sage, and even though we might have had other reason to mistrust him, the Gemara rhetorically declares: “If this Israelite does not neglect the respect due a Sage, would he commit a transgression and steal the possession of the priest?”The idea that showing respect for a sage indicates higher moral character is used creatively to answer a difficult questi …

Kick the Habit: Residual Resentment and Self-Defense Blemishes Bechoros 35

The Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a scenario where an animal is chasing after a person, and in self-defense, the person injures the animal. Ordinarily, if one puts a blemish in a firstborn, the rabbis do not allow that blemish to free the animal from its sanctified status so as not to reward deliberate efforts to circumvent the rules. Yet if the animal is attacking him, then the blemish inflicted on the animal in self-defense is not a deliberate …

Spread Thin, Pure Win: Full-Body Tzoraas and Diluted Evil Bechoros 34

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the paradoxical phenomenon of a tzoraas affliction that becomes purified if “it spreads completely.” (Vayikra 13:12.) What underlies this ironic ruling that a full spread of the tzoraas leads to purification?Ha’amek Davar (ibid) takes the position that the affliction is still a kind of warning; a firm telegram from God to repent. If someone gets the message, all fine and good. However, the spread of the …

Getting into Reality at the Ground Floor Bechoros 33

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses various halachic scenarios where a prohibited action is a repetition of an identical prohibited action. In modern vernacular, if you park your car on the wrong side of the street, and you get a ticket, can you get a ticket two hours later or are you penalized only once?In our Gemara, the discussion is stimulated by the question of if one causes a blemish in an already blemished firstborn animal, is there a second …

Supernatural, Natural and the Middle Ground Bechoros 32

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the Halachos of Chermei Kohanim, which is the ability to declare objects as sacred for the kohanim. Unlike declaring something sacred for the structure of the Temple (cherem bedek habayis), which can be redeemed if the owner changes his mind, Chermei Kohanim cannot.The Ralbag (Vayikra 26:3) explains that this is to allow the kohanim to build real estate holdings in Eretz Yisrael, whereas they were not included i …

Grave Matters: When the Lips Keep Moving Bechoros 31

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the importance of quoting a teaching in the name of the sage who stated it:“Rabbi Yochanan said in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai: With regard to any Torah scholar in whose name a matter of halacha is stated in this world, his lips move with the words in the grave, as though he were speaking.”The simple reading of the Gemara implies that it is necessary to state the rabbi’s name in order to create …

Ant-icipation: From Tefillin to Tax Seals Bechoros 30

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses an incident involving a woman whose religious practices were influenced by whom she was married to at the time, whether he was a sage or a commoner:“There was an incident involving a certain woman who married a chaver and would tie [koma’at] for him phylacteries on his hand, and she later married a tax collector and would tie for him tax seals on his hand.”Though some may feel this text to be condescend …

Free of Charge: Loopholes That Still Leave a Taste Bechoros 29

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the idea that Torah should be taught for free. God says, “Just as I gave you the Torah for free, so too a rabbi should teach for free.” On a practical level, there are ways of approaching the necessity to make sure rabbis and teachers have a dignified wage and are compensated financially. In our discussion, we are not going to address those technicalities, rather we are going to reflect on the principle. …

There Goes Your Donkey: Chamor, Chumrah, and Chomer Bechoros 28

Our Mishnah on Amud Beis relates an interesting anecdote wherein Rabbi Tarfon made an incorrect ruling, causing a financial loss that he believed he would have to repay to the defendant. He called out loud, “There goes your donkey, Rabbi Tarfon.” The simple reading of this is a kind of self-deprecating, sardonic humor, saying to himself, “Too bad, buddy; looks like you have got to pay back this person and mortgage your donkey.” (See Yachi …

An Unsolicited Blessing: Charity and Someone Elses Debt Bechoros 27

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the obligations of the owner to tend to the firstborn before it is given to the kohen. Additionally, despite the fact that the kohen is entitled to the firstborn, he is forbidden to influence, subtly bribe, or directly pay the owner to choose him specifically as the benefactor of the gift. The decision of which kohen to give the firstborn is at the sole discretion of the owner, with no undue influence.“Unti …

Reign Check: The Olahs Gift and Yom Kippurs King Bechoros 26

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the function of the Olah sacrifice: that it is essentially not for the purpose of atonement, but can also achieve atonement in its way. Rashi explains this means that an Olah sacrifice is not triggered by a violation of a prohibition, but still can atone for violations of positive commandments, as per Yoma 36a. In a related idea, Rava compares the Olah to a gift given to a ruler after he is pardoned, while the ch …

Cut Off Its Head: The Psik Reishe of Serving for Nothing Bechoros 25

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the famous lomdishe concept of psik reishe. Psik reishe is a Talmudic idiom that literally means “cut off its head,” which is part of a larger phrase, “Is it possible to cut off its head without it dying?” This idiom refers to an act performed which leads to an inevitable consequence. In many circumstances, such as with the laws of Shabbos, an inadvertent act is not forbidden if the intent was to perform …

When Pigs Fly, or at Least are Kosher Bechoros 24

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the halachic status of a pig that is nursing from a sheep. There is a twofold question: is this an offspring of this sheep and somehow just a mutation that it appears to be like a pig, in which case it would be permitted to eat? Secondly, if this was the offspring, then the next child does not have to be considered a firstborn, since this is already qualified. Or was this pig adopted by the sheep and is not its …

Flour Power Bechoros 23

Our Gemara on Amud Beis praises the method of study and learning of Rabbi Eliezer ben Yaakov. It is described as kav vnaki “precisely measured and refined.”This idiom is easier to understand in an agrarian society. Imagine purchasing ground flour in the ancient marketplace. This was not factory-processed food, uniform in quality and texture, but rather the work of an individual artisan. The price of the flour, and the choice of vendor, would …

Impurity and Enlightenment on Snooze Bechoros 22

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the kashrus idea that certain prohibited items, even ritual impurities, though nullified in a majority and permitted, if a new influx of the same material gets added, the balance changes. Not only that, but the old substance that was nullified can be reawakened and add to the prohibited amount.This is one of the physical and halachic ideas that hold true morally as well. A silent opposition group may choose …

Forty-fied Bechoros 21

Our Gemara on Amud Beis asserts the biological reality that the fetus is formed inside the woman by day forty.This number — forty days to substantiate formation — has a number of spiritual and metaphysical implications. For example, Shem MiShmuel (Mishpatim) explains that 40 equals a complete formation, body and soul, while 39 is all the physical aspects without the spiritual. This is why the fetus is formed in forty days. The verse decre …

Labor Pains, by the Numbers Bechoros 20

Our Gemara discusses the case of a woman whose husband died childless, and her mother-in-law is overseas. Should she have to be concerned that her mother-in-law gave birth to a son, locking her into an obligation to do yibum or chalitzah to some unknown progeny? Rabbi Yehoshua rules: even if the mother-in-law left overseas pregnant, there is no concern. The majority of pregnant women give birth to a child, and a minority miscarry. And of all thos …

The Mother of Atonement Bechoros 19

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the status of an animal purchased from a gentile while it was still young, and presumably not yet matured enough to become a mother. In that case, the animal that appears to be first born will go to the Kohen, as we do not assume the animal had an earlier child when it was not physically mature. According to Rabbi Yishmael, the cutoff date is the third year. That is to say, if a cow or donkey gives birth within i …

Push Comes to Shove Bechoros 18

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses various opinions on how to evaluate which animal is the firstborn when they are twins and appear to be born simultaneously. According to Rabbi Tarfon, we give the healthier one to the Kohen. The presumption is that the healthier one, and therefore the more vigorous one, is the firstborn. We presume that the healthier one pushed itself out first, even if it was only quicker by a few moments.There is a well-kn …