Simcha Feuerman

Psychology, Torah and the Daf Yomi

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Apr 21, 2025, 10:30 AM

A Genius Is Born, But A Tzaddik Is Made and More Makkos 15-20

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph recounts a halachic discussion where Rabbi Yochanan’s colleagues challenge a teaching attributed to him, asking, “Did you indeed say this?” He replies, “I did not.” In fact, he had said it but later reversed...

Apr 15, 2025, 8:46 AM

Spare the Rod, Spoil the Mitzvah? Talmud on Tough Love and More Makkos 8-9

8 “Spare the Rod, Spoil the Mitzvah? Talmud’s Take on Tough Love” Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses an exemption for the punishment of exile for involuntary manslaughter. Even though there was still enough negligence that ordinarily would incur exile, if...

Apr 6, 2025, 10:30 AM

Can God Give A Test That You Cannot Overcome Makkos 6

6 Too Hard to Resist The Torah requires two witnesses to convict someone of a capital crime. Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a scenario: if two witnesses in a capital case observe two separate parts of a sinful act, can...

Mar 28, 2025, 8:48 PM

Being God Fearing Isn’t Rocket Science and More Sanhedrin 107-109

107 Stir Up a Hornet’s Nest 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...

Mar 23, 2025, 3:48 PM

Perspectives and Poisonous Routes

101 The Power of Perspective: Broad vs. Narrow Thinking Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses a verse in Mishlei (15:15): “All the days of a poor man are wretched, but a man who is of good heart will be in a constant...

Mar 16, 2025, 1:33 PM

Marshmallows, Money, and Mazal…and More Sanhedrin 92-97

92 Marshmallows, Money, and Mazal: When Patience Pays—And When It Doesn’t Our Gemara on amud aleph discusses the various virtues and benefits of wisdom: And Rabbi Elazar says: Any person in whom there is knowledge, in the end, becomes wealthy, as it...

Mar 9, 2025, 7:10 AM

Stealing Hearts and Souls: Biblical Theft and Parental Alienation Sanhedrin 85

85 Stealing Hearts and Souls: From Biblical Theft to Parental Alienation Our Mishna on Amud Beis discusses the penalty for kidnapping, which can be the death penalty. The Mishna even considers an opinion that a father could be liable for kidnapping,...

Mar 3, 2025, 3:54 PM

Mistaken Identities and Marital Mysteries: Sanhedrin 79

79 Mistaken Identities and Marital Mysteries: When Who You See Is Who You Get Continuing the discussion of indirect or less intentional forms of murder, our Gemara examines a dispute regarding a case where one intends to kill one person but...

Feb 25, 2025, 5:40 PM

The Forbidden Fruit: A Tale of Lovesickness, True Love and More Sanhedrin 75-76

75 The Forbidden Fruit: A Tale of Lovesickness, Pleasure, and the Loss of Temple Bliss On Amud Aleph, the Gemara discusses a fascinating story about a man who was stricken with lovesickness. The physicians assessed that if he was unable to...

Feb 23, 2025, 6:11 AM

The Grass is Always Greener…on the Pagan Side? and More Sanhedrin 67-68

67 The Grass is Always Greener… on the Pagan Side? 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...

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About Me

Rabbi, Psychotherapist with 30 years experience specializing in high conflict couples and families.

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