Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 19th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Beis discusses the concept of viduy maaser, the “confessional” declaration that all of the tithed produce was not hoarded nor was it misused.   What is the term viduy? The verses in the Torah don’t use it to describe this declaration, and it comes from Chazal. Pashtus, it is just a declaration not really a confession.  The simple reading of the verses sound, if anything, as a declaration that on …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 18th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us that the reason why the Jews did not merit the healing north wind during the wilderness was that they were “censured”. What sin caused that state? Rashi says it was due to the sin of the Golden Calf.  However Tosafos argues and says that they Jews were forgiven for that sin, as it states “I forgive them”, and the Mishkan was constructed and Hashem had the Shekhina dwell there. Tosafos …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 17th, 2022

  In our Gemara on Amud Beis tells us that according to one opinion the Jews of the wilderness could not undergo circumcision due to the travails of traveling, which would endanger their lives post operatively. Ritva asks, why was Moshe punished for not circumcising Eliezer, since he was traveling and could not endanger Eliezer anyhow? Ritva answers that Moshe could have paused on his journey and waited several days until Eliezer recovered, …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 16th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph tells us the well-known aphorism, בני בנים הרי הם כבנים Grandchildren are considered as if they are children.  Grandparents can be a resource for their grandchildren, as well as a source of satisfaction and fulfillment to the grandparents.  If the relationship between the Grandparent and their child is a healthy one, the parents will also enjoy the grandparents’ involvement, offering an ex …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 15th, 2022

Roe V. Reydt Our Gemara on amud beis asserts that a fetus prior to the 40th day from conception is considered as if it is “merely water”. The Gemara in Menachos (99b) also implies that the fetus does not yet have a soul until 40 days. The idea that prior to 40 days, the fetus is not considered human has implications for early abortion.   Though Rav Moshe (Iggeros Moshe CM II:69) does not consider this principle to be suffici …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 13th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the idea that עוּבָּר בִּמְעֵי זָרָה זָר הוא. A fetus in the womb of a non-Cohen who is married to a Cohen, is not considered a Cohen until it is born. This has halakhic implications in terms of the slaves in the household who ordinarily are allowed to eat Terumah as they are part of the Cohen’s household. However, in this case because they are partially owned by this fetus who is …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 13th, 2022

  Our gemara on amud beis argues that even though a born female cohen becomes disqualified from Teruma after relations with a forbidden sexual relation, a Levite or Israelite widow who was once married to a cohen is different.  Though she may eat Terumah as a widow if she has a child from him, she will not be disqualified by forbidden sexual relations.  Even though the power of the holiness of the Levite or Israelite widow is weake …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 12th, 2022

Our Gemara on the end of 65b and the beginning of 65a concludes a discussion about women not being obligated in the commandment to have children.  We even learned on the previous amud about Rav Chiyya’s wife, who had such difficulty with childbirth that she obtained a heter to drink a potion that would render her infertile. The Yam Shel Shelomo on Yevamos quotes this Gemara as a support that a woman may render herself infertile via a m …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 11th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses two related physiological phenomena that today we do not recognize or understand well.  If a man was not able to ejaculate his seed with force similar to shooting an arrow, he was considered to be infertile.  Additionally, the woman was able to perceive this internally and her testimony on this was given more credence than the husband’s awareness or lack thereof. Based on this way that sexuality …
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Author: Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, DHL, LCSW-R

May 10th, 2022

Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the matter of a couple who is childless for ten years.  Since the husband is obligated to fulfill the mitzvah of Periyah Ureviyah, he would have to divorce and marry another woman.  Yet, since we are unsure whether he or she is the cause of the infertility, she still gets her kesubah, and she may remarry as well to try again.  The rationale is:  שֶׁמָּא לֹא זָכָה לְהִבָּ …
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