Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R The Daf Yomi through a Psychological Lens.
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Free of Charge: Loopholes That Still Leave a Taste Bechoros 29
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October 16th, 2026
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.
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There Goes Your Donkey: Chamor, Chumrah, and Chomer Bechoros 28
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October 16th, 2026
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
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October 15th, 2026
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
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October 14th, 2026
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
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October 13th, 2026
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
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 2nd, 2026
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
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 2nd, 2026
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
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 2nd, 2026
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
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 2nd, 2026
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
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 2nd, 2026
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
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 2nd, 2026
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
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
October 2nd, 2026
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 …
A Split-Second Firstborn Bechoros 17
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October 2nd, 2026
Our Gemara on this daf discusses the concept of whether it’s possible to determine with accuracy that a qualifying event happened simultaneously. This comes up in many areas of Halacha, and in our Gemara it is regarding a situation where twins apparently are born at the same moment, that is, it seems as if both heads emerged at the same time. Could they both be firstborns? Is it even technically possible for it to happen at the same moment? Is …
No Quick Fix for Guilt Bechoros 16
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October 5th, 2026
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a distinction between a chattas and asham offering. If the owner of the sin offering dies before it is able to be brought as a sacrifice, it must be left to die. However, for an asham whose owner dies, we allow it to graze until it develops a blemish, and then it can be redeemed. What is the reason for this distinction?
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks Z”L (Rabbi Sacks on Yom Kippur Mahzor, Yom Kippur Evening, Yoma 6:1 …
Fit for the Dogs Bechoros 15
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October 2nd, 2026
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses limitations to the process of redeeming a sacrificial animal. Though an animal sanctified to be offered on the altar can be redeemed if it develops a blemish, it is to be redeemed for a dignified form of consumption, not to “throw its meat to the dogs.” This is why, for example, if it died first or it became a tereifa, it cannot be redeemed and it must be buried instead. Because it cannot be subsequently con …
No Substitutions—Both Stay Holy Bechoros 14
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October 2nd, 2026
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the interesting halacha of Temurah. It is forbidden to exchange an animal dedicated and set aside for a sacrifice with another animal, even if it is superior. Furthermore, if one attempts this exchange, both the newly designated animal and the prior consecrated animal are now sanctified. They both must be used for a sacrifice. As the verse states (Vayikra 27:10), “One may not exchange or substitute another for …
Collaboration vs. the Stubborn Stiff Neck Bechoros 13
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October 1st, 2026
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the unusual ritual of the firstborn donkey. Unlike any other non-kosher firstborn which has no ritual significance, the firstborn donkey must either be redeemed with a sheep, and if not, the owner must break its neck from behind, and bury it.
On the simplest level of peshat one might say the donkey is included in the consecration of firstborns because, like a domesticated kosher animal, it has utility and fun …
When Justice Goes Fallow Bechoros 12
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September 30th, 2026
Our Gemara on Amud discusses the prohibition to use the produce of the Shemitta year for commerce. The Mishna Avos (5:8) lists various punishments that befall the world based on mass-level sins. Amongst those listed are pestilence, which comes from one of two corruptions: (1) sins punishable by death according to the Torah, but which have not been referred to the court or enforced, and (2) neglect of the law regarding commerce of the fruits of th …
The Watchman’s Soul Bechoros 11
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September 29th, 2026
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes the verse from Shemos (22:6–7) that discusses the legal process of a watchman whose object is stolen, and the liabilities to the owner. The verse states:
When one person gives money or goods to another for safekeeping, and they are stolen from that person’s house: if caught, the thief shall pay double; if the thief is not caught, the owner of the house shall depose before God and deny laying hands on the oth …
Selling Your Gods for Grain Bechoros 10
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September 28th, 2026
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses how certain animals such as a pig or a rabbit, though they are not kosher, since they have one aspect of kosher (the pig has cloven hooves and the rabbit is a ruminant), so they have enough status that they might still be considered a food. Presumably, the animal is not considered so detestable and somewhat edible.The verse in Breishis (47:17) says when the Egyptians ran out of food they brought Yosef their catt …
8 and 9 Athens vs. Yehoshua: Pegs, Placentas, Peer Pressure, and the Unfillable Bucket Bechoros 8 and 9
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September 29th, 2026
Dappim 8 and 9 of Bechoros contain the famous and cryptic debates between Rabbi Yehoshua and the Elders of Athens. This Aggadah has riddles and verbal jousts that have been subject to many commentaries and interpretations over the ages. I have some observations on parts of these dialogues which are relevant in our modern times. Let us read selections of the text, and I will intersperse commentary.
“With regard to the gestation time of a snak …
Bee Honey, Wasp Stingers, and Bilaam’s Toxic Blessings Bechoros 7
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September 25th, 2026
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph ponders why bee honey is permitted to eat even though we have a principle that something that comes out from the body of an unkosher animal is itself unkosher. The Gemara explains that the honey generated from the pollen does not actually come from the bee’s body, but rather is somehow processed through its system, though its system does not contribute anything of its own. From a scientific biological perspective bees h …
Blood into Milk: Sparks, Silent Teachings, and Standing for God Bechoros 6
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September 24th, 2026
Our Gemara on Amud Beis expressed a belief about physiology which was prevalent in the ancient world. It is not simply a coincidence that menstruation stops in pregnancy and then remains in abeyance during the period of nursing. Rather, in some fundamental way, the physiological elements of blood are transformed into breastmilk.
The Mystics see the hand of God in everything and can interpret nature the same way a verse can be interpreted. Ther …
Moshe the Kuveyustus: Integrating the Dark Side at the Burning Bush Bechoros 5
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September 23rd, 2026
In our Gemara on Amud Aleph a government official confronted Rabbi Yochanan Ben Zakkai about discrepancies in certain biblical calculations, leading him to assert: “Moses your teacher a thief, or was he a gambler [kuveyustus], or was he not expert in accounting?”
The translation of this word, kuveyustus, is not completely clear. It might mean thief, gambler, swindler, or even kidnapper. Regardless of the precise meaning, the implication is …
Dotted Line: Aharon, the Calf, and a Bad Call Under Pressure Bechoros 4
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September 22nd, 2026
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses why there are dots in the Torah scroll on Aharon’s name in the verse in Bamidbar (3:39): “All the Levites who were recorded, whom at GOD’s command Moses and Aaron recorded by their clans, all the males from the age of one month up, came to 22,000.”
The Meshech Chochma (ibid) adds some detail. We have a tradition that the firstborn lost their privilege to serve in the Temple and were replaced by the Le …
First Sparks of Creation and First Born Bechoros 3
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September 21st, 2026
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph cites a verse (Shemos 34:19): “From the first that break out of the womb (petter rechem), from all your livestock you shall take the males (tizachar).”
The Baal Shem Tov (Ki Tissa 29) looks at this verse in a mystical way. The Hebrew word for womb, rechem, is the same gematria as 248, which is the rabbinic number of limbs in the human body and symbolic of the 248 positive commandments. Then there is another gematri …
Partnering with the Zeitgeist Bechoros 2
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September 20th, 2026
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the prohibition of creating business partnerships with a pagan gentile:“It is prohibited for a person to enter into a partnership with a gentile lest their joint ventures lead them to quarrel and his gentile partner will be obligated to take an oath to him and he will take an oath in the name of his object of idol worship; and the Torah states: ‘Neither let it be heard out of your mouth’ (Exodus 23:13), whi …
Light Mitzvah, Long Life Chulin 142
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September 11th, 2026
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph reasons a kal v’chomer about the rewards for mitzvos: “If with regard to the sending away of the mother bird, which is a mitzvah whose performance is simple, as it entails a loss of no more than an issar coin, i.e., the value of the mother bird, the Torah says: ‘That it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days’ (Deuteronomy 22:7), it may be derived by kal v’chomer inference that the reward is no …
Let it Go Chulin 141
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September 18th, 2026
Our Gemara on this daf continues the discussion of the mitzvah of sending away the mother bird. We saw in yesterday’s and the previous day’s blog posts on dappim 139 and 140 that there are various symbolic meanings attached to this ritual. On the surface, it is about compassion for the mother bird, because she represents motherhood itself and the anguish of lost offspring. Zohar Chadash (Midrash Rus 94a–b) sees it as a theurgical act that a …
Out of Sight, Out of Nest Chulin 140
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September 17th, 2026
Our Gemara on Amud Beis teaches that unfertilized eggs do not incur the obligation of sending the mother bird away. Ohr Sameach (Laws of Shechitah 13:7) remarks that the Rambam in the Moreh Nevuchim (III:48) explains the reason for the mitzvah of shiluach haken is that the mother bird experiences the same anguish as a human mother at the loss of her children; in the emotional realm, humans and animals are the same (see the section in the Moreh on …
Nested Considerations Chulin 139
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September 16th, 2026
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the mitzvah of sending away the mother bird before taking the chicks or eggs. One of the features of this halacha is that it cannot be from a nest that is readily available in one’s home; rather, it must be ownerless. This is derived from the verse (Devarim 22:6): “If a bird’s nest happens before you on the way,” implying that it is a random occurrence, not under your control.
Mei Shiloach (ibid.) see …
Belt and Suspenders of the Heart Chulin 138
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September 15th, 2026
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the belt, the avnet, worn by the Kohen Gadol. In today’s post, we will study the purpose of the avnet and a psychological challenge during the process of repentance.
The Gemara in Zevachim (88b) tells us that the avnet achieves atonement for sins of the heart. This is due to its proximity to the heart, as unlike contemporary belts, it is worn on the chest underneath the arms. The symbolism may also include d …
Sheepish Holy Words Chulin 137
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September 14th, 2026
Our Gemara on Amud Beis notes that there are linguistic differences between Biblical Hebrew and Rabbinic Hebrew:“When Isi bar Hini ascended from Babylonia to Eretz Yisrael, Rabbi Yochanan found him teaching the mishnah to his son. Isi taught that the obligation of the first sheared wool applies only in the case of sheep [rechelim], the masculine plural form of rachel, meaning a sheep. Rabbi Yochanan said to Isi: You should teach him using the t …
The One Who Falls: Destiny and Fences Chulin 136
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September 13th, 2026
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the mitzvah of building a maakeh, a protective fence around a roof so as to prevent someone from accidentally falling. The relevant verses are in Devarim (22:8):
“When you build a new house, you shall make a fence for your roof, so that you do not bring bloodguilt on your house if the one who falls shall fall from it.”
The Hebrew phrase is interesting because it implies that the person who could fall f …
A Home That Guards and Glows Chulin 135
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September 11th, 2026
Our Gemara at the end of Amud Beis, heading into the next daf, speaks of the requirement that the mezuzah be placed on the right side of the doorway when facing it during entry. Shem MiShmuel (Miketz 5) makes a brilliant distinction. The Chanukah menorah is placed on the left side—or, as he says, on the right side facing the exit. Why? It has to do with the function of the mitzvah. The function of the mezuzah is to protect the inside from any o …
Greater Than His Brethren? No! Because of His Brethren Chulin 134
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September 11th, 2026
Our Gemara on Amud Beis derives from a verse that the High Priest is granted special status and privileges:“And the priest who is greater than his brethren” (Vayikra 21:10) indicates that the High Priest should be greater than his priestly brethren in beauty, in wisdom, and in wealth.”
“From where is it derived that if the High Priest does not have property of his own, his brethren the priests elevate him and render him wealthy from th …
New Ideas About Idolatry and Sacrifice Chulin 133
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September 10th, 2026
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph rules: Any priest who does not believe in the validity of the sacrificial rites has no portion in the gifts of the priesthood.
What is the exact definition of “not believing”? Rashi (132b) says that he does not believe sacrifices are a Torah law, but rather an idea that Moshe made up. Chasam Sofer on our Gemara considers Rashi’s answer difficult: what would be the reason for the priest to doubt that one aspect of …
Tongue with Mustard: And Avraham’s Prayer Chulin 132
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September 9th, 2026
Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses how the priestly gifts are to be consumed by the Kohanim (that is, the foreleg, the jaw, and the stomach from animals that are eaten, this portion are given to the Kohanim). They should be eaten in the manner that kings eat—roasted and with mustard.
According to tradition, Avraham served the visiting angels three calves, and specifically tongue with mustard. Is there a connection?
The Gemara (Bava Metzia …
When Repenting Do Not Cut it Too Close Chulin 131
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September 8th, 2026
Our Gemara on Amud Aleph cites the verse that instructs Jewish farmers to leave aside certain produce from the vineyard: the peret (grapes that drop during the harvest), the olelos (undeveloped clusters that grow singly rather than on branches), forgotten clusters, and pe’ah (the corner of the vineyard or field left for the poor). It states in Vayikra (19:9–10):
“When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap all the way to t …
Can God Owe Someone? Chulin 130
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September 7th, 2026
There are halachic monetary rulings that recommend making payment for damages even if legally there is not an absolute requirement. Our Gemara on Amud Beis makes a linguistic distinction regarding the word yeshalem, “to pay.” This word would not be used in regard to something that according to the strict letter of the law has no obligation, even if there is still an extra ethical charge to take liability.
Parashas Derachim (Derush 26) note …