Simcha Feuerman

Psychology, Torah and the Daf Yomi

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Jul 11, 2025, 5:48 PM

Gender Concerns and the Stiff Necked People Avodah Zara 27-29

27: The Goalie Gets the Same Trophy as the Forward Our Gemara on Amud Aleph states that in a certain sense, a woman is considered circumcised. Meaning to say, even though anatomically she is unable to have the Jewish circumcision, since...

Jul 6, 2025, 5:14 AM

Religion and Family Quarrels And More Avodah Zara 20-22

20 “Chen and Now: Forbidden Praise and Esav’s Paradox” Our Gemara on Amud Aleph rules that it is forbidden to praise an idolatrous gentile: “You should not show them chen” (Devarim 7:2), which is understood as meaning: You should not give...

Jun 29, 2025, 5:57 AM

Trump, Netanyahu and the Daf and More Avodah Zara 13-15

13. Reining in the Ego: When Even Horses Bow to Providence Our Gemara discusses a particular procedure (perhaps hamstringing) that disables an animal. Though it causes the animal suffering, when there is a constructive purpose it is permitted. The Gemara...

Jun 22, 2025, 5:55 AM

It’s Good to be Needed and more Avodah Zara 6-8

Avodah Zarah 6 It Feels Good to Be Needed Our Gemara on Amud Beis continues its discussion of various commercial exchanges prohibited during an idolatrous holiday period. One reason given is that if the pagan is pleased with a business transaction,...

Jun 15, 2025, 6:24 AM

Evolution in the Talmud? and more Avodah Zara 2-5

Avodah Zarah Daf 2 Mitzvah Counts, No Deed Left Behind Our Gemara on Amud Aleph states: Kol (all) mitzvot performed by Jews in this world will testify for them in the World-to-Come, per Yeshayahu: “Let them bring their witnesses…” Commentaries emphasize...

Jun 6, 2025, 5:29 PM

Reincarnation and the Repetition Compulsion and more dappim 42-45

Daf 42: Reincarnation and the Repetition Compulsion Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes a central verse that discusses the liabilities of a person entrusted to safeguard an object of value, and the oaths he may incur (Shemos 22:6-8): When any party...

Jun 1, 2025, 11:17 AM

The Talmud and Economic Behavioral Theory and More 33-38

Daf 33: The Enigma of Half Liability Our Gemara on Amud Aleph references the Jewish legal concept of Chatzi Nezek (paying half damages). This liability is incurred when an ordinary ox, with no history of goring, attacks another ox. The...

May 23, 2025, 6:54 PM

Good Reasons for Bad Behavior Shavuos 28-30

Daf 28: Lashes Out and Maintaining Dignity Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses when the punishment of lashes begins, which has implications for whether an interruption means it is considered sufficiently administered. This has further implications, such as the principle...

May 16, 2025, 8:22 PM

Sworn at Sinai: The Oath You Didn’t Know You Took and More Shavuous 19-21

19 Cut Out Sinning Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the halachic concept of misasek. Misasek is when an act is committed without any intention and/or awareness that the act is committed. In certain circumstances, depending on the nature of...

May 9, 2025, 7:16 PM

Kayin and Hevel: Not What You Learned in Cheder and More Shavuous 12-17

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the principle that certain sacrifices are rejected due to the non-repentant stance of the sinner, based on the verse in Mishle (21:27): “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination.” The Maharal (Derashas Shabbos...

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About Me

Rabbi, Psychotherapist with 30 years experience specializing in high conflict couples and families. To see my daily blog posts which have more content go to https://nefesh.org/blogs/SimchaFeuerman

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