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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Showing Results 1801 - 1809 (1809 total)
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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