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Psychology of the Daf Yomi
Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R The Daf Yomi through a Psychological Lens.
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Fringes, Frailty, and the Oldest Temptation: When Holiness Meets Reality 43 Psychology of the Daf
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February 16th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a halacha that one is not permitted to sell a cloak with ritual fringes to a gentile until he unties and removes its tzitzis.The Gemara offers two reasons. The most notable is as follows: “There is a concern that the gentile who wears these tzitzis will visit a prostitute.”Rabbenu Gershom and one opinion in Rashi explain that the prostitute would then slander Jews, claiming that a falsely pious person engage …
The Wandering Jew- A Twisted Tale Menachos 42 Psychology of the Daf
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February 15th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph relates a requirement to arrange the tzitzis as follows:
“One is required to separate the ritual fringes like a gentile’s lock of hair, part of which is braided and the rest of which is allowed to hang loose.”
It is interesting, but possibly insignificant, that Abaye uses an example of a gentile hairstyle to describe how to arrange tzitzis.
Yet this type of comparison is also used for another halacha of tzi …
Fringe Benefits Missed Mitzvos and Sudden Accountability Menachos 41 Psychology of the Daf
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February 13th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph relates an interlude in which an angel rebuked Rav Ketina for wearing a garment that was exempt from tzitzis. Rav Ketina asked why he should be liable: the garment was of an exempt nature, and at worst he merely neglected an opportunity to fulfill a positive commandment. The angel responded that at a time of divine wrath (perhaps when a person is in imminent danger or in a dangerous situation), one can still be liable. Th …
Bind and Unwind: When Action Yields to Stillness Menachos 36 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
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February 16th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the halachic phenomenon that tefilin are not worn at night nor on Shabbos.
Dover Tzedek, Kuntres Ner HaMitzvos (1), offers a beautiful psychological explanation that unites these two laws. There are two dimensions to mitzvos, represented by positive action commandments and negative commandments of restraint. Symbolically—and practically, especially in a pre-industrial society—nighttime is a period of passi …
Face Value vs. Backstory: Seeing God Without Seeing God Menachos 35 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
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February 15th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes a series of verses where Moshe asks to see God and God’s response. These verses are remarkable and hint at profound theological ideas. The verses (Shemos 33:18–23):
He (Moshe) said, “Oh, let me behold Your Presence!”
And [God] answered, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim before you the name GOD, and the grace that I grant and the compassion that I show.”
“But you …
Root or Route? Finding Holiness in Foreign Words Menachos 34 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
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February 13th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the etymology of the word “totafos,” referring to the head tefilin (Shemos 13:16).
Rabbi Akiva explains that the word is composed of two foreign terms meaning “two”: “tat” in the language of Katfei and “pat” in Afriki, totaling four. Why would the Torah use such obscure terminology instead of simply saying “four”?
Sefer Daf Al Daf cites the Pri Ha’Aretz, who explains that since Hebrew …
Threshold Anxiety: Building Walls and Inviting God In Menachos 33 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
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February 13th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a case where the Exilarch wished to affix a mezuzah before completing construction of the doorway. Rav Nachman ruled that the doorway must first be completed, since the obligation of the mitzvah must precede the act; otherwise, the placement is not a fulfillment of the mitzvah.
Why did the Exilarch wish to affix the mezuzah immediately? Shem MiShmuel (Bereishis 2), based on Chazal and the Maharal (Gevuros Has …
When the People Know Best Menachos 32 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
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February 12th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the power of established custom as a vehicle of verified tradition, to the extent that it can override other rabbinic declarations. The Gemara emphasizes this with the striking phrase: “Even if Eliyahu HaNavi would come and state that chalitzah may not be performed with a particular kind of shoe, and the custom is to use that kind of shoe, we do not listen to him, since the custom is already established.” …
Heavenly Gap: Knowing the Distance Without Measuring It Menachos 31 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
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February 11th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the positioning of the final words of the Shema in the mezuzah. The placement of the phrase “Al Ha-Aretz” (“above the earth”), according to some at the beginning of the final line and according to others at the end, symbolically indicates the vast distance between heaven and earth.
This gap is not about physical distance, nor truly about heaven and earth. Rather, it reflects the gap between God and man …
Inside Job: Measuring Purity from Within and Without Menachos 30 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
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February 10th, 2026

Our Gemara at the end of 30b, continuing into 31a, quotes a dispute between Beis Shammai and Beis Hillel regarding how to count the volume of a chest. This relates to the idea that if it holds more than forty se’a, it is not considered a utensil because it is so large, and therefore is not susceptible to ritual impurity. It is based on a Mishna in Keilim (18:1).
A wooden chest that is large enough to contain forty se’a is not susceptible t …
Steps, Stones, and Sudden Light Menachos 29 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
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February 9th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us that the Menorah in the Temple had a stone before the candelabrum, and it had three steps upon which the priest would stand and prepare the lamps for kindling.
What is the meaning of these steps? It is especially curious because, as I heard Rabbi Rosner remark in his Daf Yomi shiur, the altar was forbidden to have steps (Shemos 20:23).
According to Toras HaOlah (I:19), the use of a stone itself represents a …
Forged Honesty Menachos 28 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
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February 8th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph describes structural and artisanal requirements for the Menorah in the Temple. It should be constructed from a complete block (eshes) and from gold. If they fashioned it from fragments (gerutaos) of gold, then it is unfit. If the Menorah was fashioned from other types of metal rather than gold, it still may not be made from fragments; however, the other standards—such as being hammered out of one piece or having the var …
Rolling It Heavenward Menachos 27 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
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February 6th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph wrestles with the meaning and usage of the Hebrew word “al,” which roughly translates as “on” or “upon.” The question is: in Hebrew, does “al” imply being placed directly upon, or does it mean adjacent?Tzidkas Hatzaddik (142) works off this interpretive implication and uses it to explain powerful concepts in redemption and repentance. The verse in Psalms (37:5) states:
“Place it (gal—roll) all upon …
Smoke Signals from Sodom Menachos 26 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
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February 6th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Beis uses a prooftext from the story of the destruction of Sodom for a Halacha regarding the handful of the Mincha offering burned on the altar (Vayikra 2:2). The verse (Bereishis 19:28) states:
“And, looking down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and all the land of the Plain, he (Avraham) saw the smoke of the land rising like the smoke of a furnace.”
The Gemara’s derasha learns that since a furnace does not release smoke …
Wings of Mercy Menachos 25 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
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February 5th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph rules that, unlike animal sacrifices, bird sacrifices have no criteria of gender or blemishes; all types of birds of a designated species are permitted.
What is the reason for this suspension of these requirements? Based on the Zohar, Toras HaOlah (II:12) sees in the up-and-down motion of a bird’s wings in flight a symbol of oscillation between Din and Rachamim—strict divine justice versus divine mercy. The lack of …
All from One Home Menachos 24 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
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February 4th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses how various halves of a tenth of flour used for a Mincha are considered a unit, and if one becomes impure, it gets transmitted to the other (if they are in the same vessel, even if not touching each other). The Gemara quips with an adage: “They are all from the same home.” As if to say, the same fate awaits both of them since they come from the same house.
The sense that there is a collective responsibilit …
Not Angels Not Anxious Menachos 23 Psychology of the Daf
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February 3rd, 2026

Tosafos on Amud Aleph (“Shehu”) observes that there was a leftover thin layer of oil in the vessels from prior meal offerings, which was used to add a tiny amount of oil to the minchas choteh. The sin offering was supposed to be dry and without oil; nonetheless, they used this trace amount, and the offering was wiped on the vessel so that it not be completely desiccated.
Tosafos asks: how is any amount of leftover oil permitted—did we no …
Yaakovs Stone Zone Menachos 22 Psychology of the Daf
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February 2nd, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the halacha that one may not use material for the altar or sacrificial service from substances that were already used for personal, secular purposes.
This is expressed in modern-day halacha in that it is forbidden to take a used article of clothing and turn it into a cover for a Torah scroll (Shulchan Aruch, O.C. 153:21; Rama ibid. 157:1). Chavos Yair (161) argues that if it is changed in form, then it is per …
More Than the Sum: When the Tzibbur Carries You 21 Psychology of the Daf
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February 1st, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the requirement, option, or permissibility of a Kohen to pay into the half-shekel that supported the community sacrifices. The Kohanim had a proof text that argued they should not even be allowed to contribute: 
There is a requirement that every sacrifice of a Kohen be completely offered on the altar (Vayikra 6:16). They argued that if so—and they would have a share in the sacrifice—the weekly bread o …
The Joy of Forgiveness Menachos 20 Psychology of the Daf
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January 30th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph (see Rashi, “aderaba”) discusses the idea that the wine libation, after the blood is sprinkled, represents the joy and relief of obtaining atonement.
The Yalkut Divrei Yosef (Succos) remarks that this is why Succos, in particular, is a time of great rejoicing—more so than the other festivals—since it comes on the heels of having received atonement on Yom Kippur.
Shem MiShmuel (Yom Kippur, chapter 15) elabora …
Sacred Slaughter: When Destruction Is not Divine Menachos 19 Psychology of the Daf
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January 30th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the halacha and proof text that, though in some respects performing the slaughtering is a part of the ritual of sacrifice, it is permitted for a non-Kohen to execute this service.
On occasion, the Zohar contradicts halacha and Gemara. One of the most troubling examples is that the Zohar (Naso 124:1) which states that a Kohen is forbidden to perform shechitta on a sacrifice “so as not to impair the region to …
To the Point: Loving Torah Until Singularity Menachos 18 Psychology of the Daf
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January 29th, 2026

Similar to yesterday’s daf, our Gemara on Amud Aleph uses an interesting idiom for an intense pleasure or specific achievement in Torah: “ad l’achas.” Literally this translates as “until one,” which requires some explanation. Before we go to the commentaries, the impression one gets is something like “until a singularity” or until a unique degree of insight or attainment.
Tosafos (ibid) offers two explanations:(1) The Hebrew wo …
An Absorbent Jew Menachos 17 Psychology of the Daf
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January 29th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph uses an interesting idiom to describe how Rav Hamnuna came to understand a halacha from Rabbi Chanina: “ivla li,” which literally translates as “caused me to swallow.”
Rashi (ibid): “He made it tasty (or perhaps better translated as ‘he seasoned it’) and taught it to me.”I saw a fascinating lexical sensitivity in Rashi on the Hebrew language website “Portal Daf Yomi”. A similar phrase comes up in Be …
Counting on Atonement: The Numbers Game of Yom Kippur Menachos 16 Psychology of the Daf
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January 29th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Beis relates a dispute about the total number of blood sprinklings from the bull and goat during the Yom Kippur service—43, 47, or 48—in the various sections of the sanctuary and the altar. The difference depends on whether the High Priest mixes the blood of the bull and goat before placing it on the corners of the inner altar, or places each separately. The additional 48th sprinkling depends on whether the pouring of the b …
Announcing a New On Line Journal of Torah and Psychology Mada U Middos
Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R
January 17th, 2026

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Tefillin Without Shema - Did He Get the Yoke? Menachos 15 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
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January 29th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the principle that a person may bring his offering today and the accompanying libations from now until even ten days later. We have a teaching from Gemara Berachos (14b):
“Anyone who recites Shema without tefillin, it is as if… he has offered a burnt-offering without a meal-offering or a peace-offering without libations. Despite the fact that he fulfilled his obligation, his offering is incomplete.”
T …
The Tzitz and Object Relations Menachos 14 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
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January 25th, 2026

Our Gemara discusses the power of the tzitz to render impure matters acceptable for sacrifice, and a discussion of its limitations according to some, such as whether it is limited to material for the altar or even sacrificial food. How do we understand this power of the tzitz, and what lessons does it teach about our nature? Rav Hirsch, whose commentary on Vayikra is spectacular at highlighting the symbolic content of sacrificial rituals, explain …
What Difference Does It Make as Long as You Get There Menachos 13 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
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January 23rd, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the parallels of the sacrificial rituals of an animal versus a mincha. For example, the handful of flour that is taken from the mincha for the altar is parallel to slaughtering, as it activates the sacrifice. The Gemara wonders how placing the handful in the vessel is comparable to accepting the blood in the vessel.
At first, the Gemara considers this not parallel, as it declares: “If we say that the meal-of …
Sinful Action Versus Preoccupation of Sin Menachos 12 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
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January 23rd, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses an interesting principle regarding the piggul rules. To review, a sacrifice becomes invalid when a part of the service is performed with the intention of eating or offering appropriate sacrificial portions on the altar outside of the prescribed times. However, aside from this invalidating thought, the rest of the sacrifice must be procedurally correct.
This leads to an irony. If one had an intention that caus …
Spiritual Toolkit Menachos 11 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
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January 22nd, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph quotes a beraisa that notes that the various fingers on our hands are used for Torah measurements. The full version of this beraisa is quoted in Kesuvos (5a), which discusses the purpose of various digits from a broader perspective:
“Bar Kappara taught: What is the meaning of that which is written: And you shall have a peg among your weapons [azenekha]” (Deuteronomy 23:14, which cites verses that refer to the requi …
A Well Rounded Perspective on the Torah Menachos 10 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
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January 21st, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses two verses that reference the placing of the blood of the Asham, and then the oil, on the metzora’s ear tip, right thumb, and right big toe. The verses in Vayikra (14:17 and 28) show a small, but distinct discrepancy in the instructions of the placement of the oil:
When referring to the sacrifices of the wealthy metzora, the verse states to place the oil “upon the blood of the guilt offering.” However, …
Reish Lakish Does Not Do Things Half Way Menachos 9 Psychology of the Daf Yomi
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January 20th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a dispute between Rav Yochanan and Reish Lakish regarding one who mixed the oil of a mincha offering outside of the walls of the Temple. Reish Lakish says it is valid because the mixing can be performed by a non-Cohen; therefore, at this point it is not subject to the regular rules of sacrificial service and can be performed outside the Temple. Rav Yochanan holds that notwithstanding that it is permitted to be p …
The Sense of the Sacred in Modern Chinuch Menachos 8 Psychology of the Daf
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January 19th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses a scenario whereby a shelamim sacrifice is brought in the sanctuary, and it is still considered procedurally kosher, even though its proper place is the courtyard.The Gemara implies that this is only post facto. However, it is a violation of some kind to have slaughtered the sacrifice in the sanctuary. The Minchas Chinuch (184) suggests that this is considered a profane entry into the sanctuary. It is prohibited …
The Road to Torah Less Traveled Menachos 7 Psychology of the Daf
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January 18th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph relates that Avimi traveled to Rav Chisda to get help with understanding a particular sugya. This is even more remarkable because Rav Chisda was Rav Avimi’s student. This leads the Gemara to ask, “Why didn’t Avimi summon his student instead of traveling to him?” The Gemara answers that traveling to him would make the endeavor more successful. Rashi explains by quoting the famous rabbinic adage, “If you work hard …
Common Threads Menachos 6 Psychology of the Daf
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January 16th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the halacha that shaatnez, a forbidden combination of wool and linen, is permitted in the priestly vestments.
Why does the Torah make this exception? It is also interesting to note that the Torah allows shaatnez by tzitzis, so that the techeles sky-blue thread can be wool and the other threads linen (Yevamos 4a). By studying the exceptions to the rule, this also allows us, inductively, to reason and unde …
Your Are What the Altar Eats 5 Psychology of the Daf
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January 16th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the sacrificial requirement of Mashke Yisrael, that the sacrifices may only be brought from foodstuffs that are permitted for consumption, based on a verse in Yechezkel (45:15).
Why is this requirement first mentioned only in regard to Yechezkel’s messianic prediction of the return to the Temple from exile? Meshech Chochmah (Bo) makes an observation about the difference between the exile of the Jewish people …
Betrayals, Repitition and Gilguls Menachos 4 Psychology of the Daf
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January 15th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph refers to the mincha brought by the Sotah as “mazkeres avon—an offering that is a reminder of the sin,” based on the verse in Bamidbar (5:15).
This is an unusual phrase, and what sin are we remembering? While we might say the sin of the Sotah, Ohr Hachaim (ibid) points out that, in actuality, we don’t need any help “remembering” that—it’s why she’s there in front of the Cohen bringing the offering. A …
Not If, but When Menachos 3 Psychology of the Daf
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January 14th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the laws of the chattas sacrifice of a king, which is unique in that the animal must be a male, while the standard chattas sacrifice is a female animal.The verse that describes the sacrifice has additional anomalies (Vayikra 4:22–26):
“In case that a nasi sins and unwittingly violates one of the commandments of God of which he is commanded to abstain from, and incurs guilt.”
The Hebrew word for “in …
Doing it Right When You Are Wrong 2 Psychology of the Daf
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January 13th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the status of a mincha sacrifice or an Olah or Shelamim sacrifice that was slaughtered (or the mincha equivalent, kemitza—taking a handful for the altar) without being for the sake of the petitioner. In such a case, the mincha or sacrifice remains valid, but the owner does not fulfill the obligation of his pledge.
Despite this, the Gemara says one is still obligated to complete the rest of the service with …
Demonic or Demented? Zevachim 120 Psychology of the Daf
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January 12th, 2026

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph cites a verse which describes King Shaul’s encounter with a sacrifice-related sin committed by the people. The verse (I Shmuel 14:32–33) describes it as “eating on the blood,” which seems to be a reference to the Biblical prohibition (Vayikra 19:26): “Do not eat with blood.”The prohibition is ambiguous and is actually used as a proof text for several unrelated prohibitions, except for the fact that in some way …
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