Blogs
Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R The Daf Yomi through a Psychological Lens.
Subscribe to this blog to get the latest updates emailed to you
Subscription complete
Search:
Showing Results 2120 - 2133 (2133 total)
The Perspective of Youth versus Age Bava Metzia 44 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 12th, 2024

Our Mishna on amud aleph discusses when encountering an exchange of one coinage for another, what is considered the coin and what is considered the object? This has an effect on the halacha, as in Jewish commerce, payment of money alone cannot acquire a physical object without the object being acquired through some other means such as picking it up. Yet, an object that is not currency can be acquired via exchange or barter. Thus, when one purchas …
Family Planning: Quality versus Quantity Psychological Insights on the Daf Yomi Yevamos 36
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 12th, 2022

  Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the halakhic principle that one should not marry a woman who is still nursing a child, as she may become pregnant, and this could disrupt her milk supply.  The Gemara wonders why this concern is only active with the second husband, as even with her first husband she might become pregnant and interrupt the milk supply?  The Gemara concludes that in either case, the woman will use birth control.&nb …
Shekalim 22 Consistency Versus Passion Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 12th, 2021

Our Gemara discusses the famous dictum תָּדִיר וְשֶׁאֵינוֹ תָּדִיר — תָּדִיר קוֹדֵם when a frequent practice and an infrequent practice coincide, the frequent practice takes precedence over the infrequent practice. This is learned out from a verse regarding the Tamid offering that precedes the Musaf offerings (Zevachim 89a).  A similar principle is stated that the more holy choice takes precedence …
Unorthodox Trauma
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 12th, 2020

The following post is written by my wife Chaya Feuerman, LCSW-R who is guesting in this blog: Trauma takes many forms. Many people are blocked from living life as their best Selves due to past or present traumatic experiences. Some people don't even recognize that their experiences have traumatized them and are the cause of difficulties in how they respond to life's stressors including their relationships. Traumatic events are frighteni …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Repent Early, Beat the Yom Kippur Rush Bava Metzia 43 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 11th, 2024

Our Mishna on amud aleph discusses money that is placed for safekeeping by the money exchanger:   In the case of one who deposits money with a money changer, if the money is bound, the money changer may not use it. Therefore, if it is lost he does not bear responsibility for it. If the money was unbound, the money changer may use it. Therefore, if it is lost he bears responsibility for it. If he deposited money with a homeowner, whether it i …
Temporary Problems,Timeless Halakha Yevamos 35 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 11th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph noticed a problematic halakha in the Mishna. There is a three month rule regarding a woman who was married prior. She cannot marry a second man until after three months in order to avoid confusion about paternity of the child. The Mishna tells us of a case of two brides who already had Kiddushin but accidentally got mixed up at the time of nisuin. If they were minors and unable to get pregnant, they can return to their hu …
Shekalim 21 The Space in Between Psychology of the Daf
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 11th, 2021

Our Gemara tells us that the two paroches partition curtains between the Holy of Holies and the Sanctuary were replaced every year.  Why was it replaced?  I would assume because the blood of sacrifices were sprinkled on it during the Yom Kippur Avodah and also in the ritual of the Public Sin offering (See Mishna Zevachim 5:1).  These curtains were costly textiles made of spun gold and precious threads, as well as having intricate d …
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 …
Torah and Paradox Bava Metzia 42 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 10th, 2024

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph makes a number of suggestions regarding money management from a practical and metaphysical point of view.   Rabbi Yitschok advises a person to keep a certain amount of money liquid, presumably, so that he can respond quickly to investment opportunities. He also states that financial blessing is found on matters that are hidden from the eye. Similarly, Rabbi Yishmael says that financial blessings are only found when & …
Beauty: Hedonistic or an Important Value? Yevamos 34 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
April 10th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us Er’s motivation to prevent Tamar’s pregnancy was so that her beauty not be sullied from the rigors of pregnancy and childbirth. From the reading of this Gemara one might draw the conclusion that the idea itself of concern about the rigors of pregnancy and the impact on beauty is an unworthy thought. As if to say, we should be above all those base physical concerns. However, Bereishis Rabbah (45:4) indi …
Sort By:Reset All
title +
date +

Results per page:

...48495051525354