Another story is told of Rabbi Yishmael son of Rabbi Yosi who went to dissolve a vow but any petach the rabbis suggested wasn’t working. The rabbis were upset that they couldn’t resolve this and a launderer came and hit Rabbi Yishmael since he was upsetting the rabbis. Rabbi Yishmael then used that as his petach, as had he realized he would have gotten beaten, he never would have vowed. Why is that not considered nolad, a new reason that he never would have thought of at the time of making the vow, as nolad is not able to be used for a petach. Abaye and his wife each wanted to marry her daughter off to one of their own relatives. In order to insist that she obey him, he vowed her to not benefit from him if she married her off to her own relatives. When she actually does that, he goes to dissolve the vow, using the petach suggested by Rav Yosef that had he realized she was actually going to marry off her daughter to her own relatives, he never would have taken the vow. A similar story of a man who vowed that his wife should not go on the pilgrimage to Jerusalem is brought to prove that this type of petach works. The Mishna quotes Rabbi Eliezer ben Yaakov saying that if you vow to insist that a friend eats at your house, you can make a declaration before that you is nullifying a vow that you are about to make. This works as long as they remember the declaration at the time of the vow. The Mishna is unclear – if the friend knows about the declaration, then the vow is anyway ineffective to encourage the friend to eat. Therefore, they reinterpret the Mishna by splitting it into two. The first part is to say that a vow to encourage a friend to eat at one’s house is a neder zeruzin and not even effective at all. Secondly, one should make a declaration at the beginning of the year that all vows they make will be nullified. Abaye and Rava disagree about whether this is effective only if one doesn’t remember the declaration at the time of the vow or can there even be a case where one somewhat remembers and yet, it can still be effective. Rav Huna bar Chinina wanted to institute that everyone makes this declaration but Rava discouraged it so that people do not treat vows lightly. Is it from here that the custom arose to say kol nidrei on Yom Kippur night or to annul our vows on erev Rosh Hashana? Do the rabbis disagree with Rabbi Eliezer ben Yaakov or not?
Nedarim 23
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This month’s learning is sponsored by Adam, Carolyn, Michal, Josh, Benny, Izzy, Gali, Shim, Zoe, Zachy and Yehuda in loving memory of Fred Hochstadter, Ephraim ben Kayla veBaruch on his 18th yahrzeit on ח׳ אלול. “We continue to be inspired by his dedication to daily learning, from the Daf and beyond, to its surrounding philosophical, historical and legal nuances. We miss him greatly and can only strive to emulate his wise, kind and elegant ways.”
This month’s learning is sponsored by Adam, Carolyn, Michal, Josh, Benny, Izzy, Gali, Shim, Zoe, Zachy and Yehuda in loving memory of Fred Hochstadter, Ephraim ben Kayla veBaruch on his 18th yahrzeit on ח׳ אלול. “We continue to be inspired by his dedication to daily learning, from the Daf and beyond, to its surrounding philosophical, historical and legal nuances. We miss him greatly and can only strive to emulate his wise, kind and elegant ways.”
This week’s learning is sponsored by Mark Goldstein in honor of his wife, Rena Septee Goldstein, on the occasion of their 44th anniversary.
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This month’s learning is sponsored by Adam, Carolyn, Michal, Josh, Benny, Izzy, Gali, Shim, Zoe, Zachy and Yehuda in loving memory of Fred Hochstadter, Ephraim ben Kayla veBaruch on his 18th yahrzeit on ח׳ אלול. “We continue to be inspired by his dedication to daily learning, from the Daf and beyond, to its surrounding philosophical, historical and legal nuances. We miss him greatly and can only strive to emulate his wise, kind and elegant ways.”
This month’s learning is sponsored by Adam, Carolyn, Michal, Josh, Benny, Izzy, Gali, Shim, Zoe, Zachy and Yehuda in loving memory of Fred Hochstadter, Ephraim ben Kayla veBaruch on his 18th yahrzeit on ח׳ אלול. “We continue to be inspired by his dedication to daily learning, from the Daf and beyond, to its surrounding philosophical, historical and legal nuances. We miss him greatly and can only strive to emulate his wise, kind and elegant ways.”
This week’s learning is sponsored by Mark Goldstein in honor of his wife, Rena Septee Goldstein, on the occasion of their 44th anniversary.
Nedarim 23
וַהֲווֹ מִצְטַעֲרִי רַבָּנַן מִשִּׁימְשָׁא לְטוּלָּא וּמִטּוּלָּא לְשִׁימְשָׁא.
and the Sages were troubled by the fact that they could not dissolve the vow. They spent an extended period of time attempting to do so. During this time, they moved from a location with light from the sun to one with shade, and then moved again from the shade back to the sun.
(לִישָּׁנָא אַחֲרָא: אַדַּעְתָּא דְּהָכִי? אִין. כַּמָּה זִימְנִין, וַהֲווֹ מִצְטַעֲרִי רַבָּנַן מִשִּׁימְשָׁא לְטוּלָּא וּמִטּוּלָּא לְשִׁימְשָׁא.)
The Gemara cites another version of the incident: They asked him: Did you vow with knowledge of this particular fact when you vowed? He said to them: Yes. This occurred several times and the Sages were troubled with this problem for an extended period of time, during which they moved from the sun to the shade and from the shade to the sun, but they did not find a solution.
אֲמַר לֵיהּ בָּטְנִית בְּרֵיהּ דְּאַבָּא שָׁאוּל בֶּן בָּטְנִית: מִי נְדַרְתְּ אַדַּעְתָּא דְּמִצְטַעֲרִי רַבָּנַן מִטּוּלָּא לְשִׁימְשָׁא וּמִשִּׁימְשָׁא לְטוּלָּא? אֲמַר: לָא, וְשַׁרְיוּהּ.
Botnit, son of Abba Shaul ben Botnit, said to him: Would you have vowed with the knowledge that the Sages would be troubled even to the point of going from shade to sun and from sun to shade? He said: No, and they dissolved it.
רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל בַּר רַבִּי יוֹסֵי הֲוָה לֵיהּ נִדְרָא לְמִישְׁרֵא. אֲתָא לְקַמַּיְיהוּ דְּרַבָּנַן, אָמְרוּ לֵיהּ: נְדַרְתְּ אַדַּעְתָּא דְּהָכִי? אֲמַר לְהוּ: אִין. נְדַרְתָּא אַדַּעְתָּא דְּהָכִי? אֲמַר לְהוּ: אִין. כַּמָּה זִימְנִין. כֵּיוָן דַּחֲזָא הָהוּא קַצָּרָא דְּמִצְטַעֲרִי רַבָּנַן, מַחְיֵיהּ בְּאוּכְלָא דְקַצָּרֵי. אֲמַר: אַדַּעְתָּא דְּמָחֵי לִי קַצָּרָא לָא נְדַרִי, וְשַׁרְיֵהּ לְנַפְשֵׁיהּ.
The Gemara relates another incident: Rabbi Yishmael bar Rabbi Yosei had a vow to dissolve. He came before the Sages. They said to him: Did you vow with knowledge of this particular fact? He said to them: Yes. They asked again: Did you vow with knowledge of this other fact? He said to them: Yes. This occurred several times. When a certain launderer saw that the Sages were troubled because Rabbi Yishmael caused them difficulty in successfully dissolving his vow, he hit Rabbi Yishmael with a launderer’s tool that he had in his hand. Rabbi Yishmael said: Had I known that the launderer would hit me due to my vow I would not have vowed, and he dissolved it.
אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב אַחָא מִדִּיפְתִּי לְרָבִינָא: הַאי נוֹלָד הוּא, דְּלָא מַסֵּיק אַדַּעְתָּא דְּמָחֵי לֵיהּ קַצָּרָא. וּתְנֵינָא: אֵין פּוֹתְחִין לוֹ בַּנּוֹלָד! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הַאי לָאו נוֹלָד הוּא, דִּשְׁכִיחִי אַפִּיקוֹרֵי דִּמְצַעֲרִי רַבָּנַן.
Rav Aḥa of Difti said to Ravina: This is a case of a new situation, which is not included among those matters that he could have considered at the time of the vow, because it would not enter his mind that the launderer would hit him. And we already learned: We do not broach dissolution with a person using a new situation that did not exist at the time of the vow. Ravina said to him: This is not a new situation that he could not have thought of previously, since it is common to find heretics [appikurei] who deny fundamental Torah principles and who trouble the Sages. Although he would not have considered the possibility that this launderer would attack him, he may have considered the possibility that some heretic would. Therefore, it was permitted to broach dissolution in this manner.
דְּבֵיתְהוּ דְּאַבָּיֵי הֲוָה לַהּ הָהִיא בְּרַתָּא. הוּא אָמַר: לְקָרִיבַאי. הִיא אָמְרָה: לְקָרִיבַהּ. אֲמַר לַהּ: תִּיתְּסַר הֲנָאָתִי עֲלָךְ אִי עָבְרַתְּ אַדַּעְתַּאי וּמַינְסְּבַת לַהּ לְקָרִיבָךְ. אֲזַלַת וַעֲבַרַת עַל דַּעְתֵּיהּ וְאִינַּסְבָא לְקָרִיבַהּ. אֲתָא לְקַמֵּיהּ דְּרַב יוֹסֵף. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אִילּוּ הֲוָה יָדְעַתְּ דַּעֲבַרַת עַל דַּעְתָּךְ וּמַנְסְבָא לַהּ לְקָרִיבַהּ מִי אַדַּרְתַּהּ? אֲמַר: לָא. וְשַׁרְיֵיהּ רַב יוֹסֵף.
§ The wife of Abaye had a certain daughter. Abaye said: She should get married to my relative. His wife said that she should get married to her relative. He said to his wife: Benefit from me should be forbidden to you, if you defy my will and marry her to your relative. She went and defied his will and married her to her relative. Abaye came before Rav Yosef. Rav Yosef said to him: If you had known that she would ultimately defy your will and marry her to her relative, would you have made the vow? He said: No. And Rav Yosef dissolved the vow for him because Abaye did not think that his wife would actually defy him, and he intended the vow only to serve as a threat.
וּמִי שְׁרֵי כִּי הַאי גַּוְונָא? אִין, וְהָתַנְיָא: מַעֲשֶׂה בְּאָדָם אֶחָד שֶׁהִדִּיר אֶת אִשְׁתּוֹ מִלַּעֲלוֹת לָרֶגֶל, וְעָבְרָה עַל דַּעְתּוֹ וְעָלְתָה לָרֶגֶל, וּבָא לִפְנֵי רַבִּי יוֹסֵי. אָמַר לוֹ: וְאִילּוּ הָיִיתָ יוֹדֵעַ שֶׁעוֹבֶרֶת עַל דַּעְתְּךָ וְעוֹלָה לָרֶגֶל כְּלוּם הִדַּרְתָּהּ? אָמַר לוֹ: לֹא, וְהִתִּירוֹ רַבִּי יוֹסֵי.
The Gemara asks: And is it dissolved in a case like this, where the vow was dependent on the daughter not marrying the wife’s relative? The Gemara answers: Yes, and it is taught in the Tosefta (5:1): There was an incident involving one man who vowed, prohibiting his wife from benefiting from him if she were to ascend to Jerusalem for the pilgrimage Festival, and she defied his will and ascended to Jerusalem for the pilgrimage Festival. And when he came before Rabbi Yosei to request dissolution, Rabbi Yosei said to him: And had you known that she would defy your will and ascend to Jerusalem on the pilgrimage Festival, would you have vowed at all? He said to him: No, and Rabbi Yosei dissolved it. This incident indicates that it is permitted to dissolve a vow with such an opening.
מַתְנִי׳ רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בֶּן יַעֲקֹב אוֹמֵר: אַף הָרוֹצֶה לְהַדִּיר אֶת חֲבֵירוֹ שֶׁיֹּאכַל אֶצְלוֹ, יֹאמַר לוֹ: ״כׇּל נֶדֶר שֶׁאֲנִי עָתִיד לִידּוֹר הוּא בָּטֵל״, וּבִלְבַד שֶׁיְּהֵא זָכוּר בִּשְׁעַת הַנֶּדֶר.
MISHNA: Rabbi Eliezer ben Ya’akov says: Even one who wants to take a vow prohibiting another from benefiting from him, but only in order that he should eat with him, not intending to take an actual vow, should say to him at the outset: Any vow that I take in the future is void. And this statement is effective, provided that he remembers at the time of the vow that his intent at the beginning of the year was to render it void.
גְּמָ׳ וְכֵיוָן דְּאָמַר ״כׇּל נֶדֶר שֶׁאֲנִי עָתִיד לִידּוֹר יְהֵא בָּטֵל״, לָא שָׁמַע לֵיהּ וְלָא אָתֵי בַּהֲדֵיהּ?
GEMARA: With regard to Rabbi Eliezer ben Ya’akov’s proposal, the Gemara asks: And since he said: Any vow that I take in the future should be void, the one being invited will not listen to him and will not come to eat with him, since he already knows that the vow is not valid. That being the case, why would the first individual take a vow at all?
חַסּוֹרֵי מִיחַסְּרָא וְהָכִי קָתָנֵי: הָרוֹצֶה שֶׁיֹּאכַל אֶצְלוֹ חֲבֵירוֹ וּמְסָרֵב בּוֹ וּמַדִּירוֹ — נִדְרֵי זֵירוּזִין הוּא. וְהָרוֹצֶה שֶׁלֹּא יִתְקַיְּימוּ נְדָרָיו כׇּל הַשָּׁנָה, יַעֲמוֹד בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה וְיֹאמַר: כׇּל נֶדֶר שֶׁאֲנִי עָתִיד לִידּוֹר יְהֵא בָּטֵל, וּבִלְבַד שֶׁיְּהֵא זָכוּר בִּשְׁעַת הַנֶּדֶר.
The Gemara answers: The mishna is incomplete and is teaching like this: In the case of one who wants another to eat with him, and he urges him to do so and makes a vow with regard to him, this vow is included in the category of vows of exhortation, which do not require dissolution. And in addition, one who desires that his vows not be upheld for the entire year should stand up on Rosh HaShana and say: Any vow that I take in the future should be void. And this statement is effective, provided that he remembers at the time of the vow that his intent at the beginning of the year was to render it void.
אִי זָכוּר, עַקְרֵיהּ לִתְנָאֵיהּ, וְקַיֵּים לֵיהּ לְנִדְרֵיהּ! אָמַר אַבָּיֵי, תָּנֵי: וּבִלְבַד שֶׁלֹּא יְהֵא זָכוּר בִּשְׁעַת הַנֶּדֶר.
The Gemara asks: If he remembers at the time of the vow that his intent at the beginning of the year was to render it void but still makes the vow, then he has uprooted his stipulation that all his vows are void and has upheld his vow. Why, then, does it state that the vows are void in this case? Abaye said: Teach: And this statement is effective, provided that he does not remember at the time of the vow that his intention at the beginning of the year was to render it void.
רָבָא אָמַר: לְעוֹלָם כִּדְאָמְרִינַן מֵעִיקָּרָא. הָכָא בְּמַאי עָסְקִינַן — כְּגוֹן שֶׁהִתְנָה בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה, וְלֹא יָדַע בַּמֶּה הִתְנָה. וְהַשְׁתָּא קָא נָדַר. אִי זָכוּר בִּשְׁעַת הַנֶּדֶר, וְאָמַר ״עַל דַּעַת הָרִאשׁוֹנָה אֲנִי נוֹדֵר״ — נִדְרֵיהּ לֵית בֵּיהּ מַמָּשָׁא. לֹא אָמַר ״עַל דַּעַת הָרִאשׁוֹנָה אֲנִי נוֹדֵר״ — עַקְרֵיהּ לִתְנָאֵיהּ וְקַיֵּים לְנִדְרֵיהּ.
Rava said: Actually, say as we said initially, that he does remember his stipulation at the time of the vow. With what are we dealing here? It is a case where he stipulated a condition on Rosh HaShana rendering void vows that he would make later in the year, but he did not know with regard to which vows he made the stipulation, and now he makes a vow. If he remembers at the time of the vow and says: I am vowing in accordance with the initial intention, when I stipulated that all vows should be void, his vow has no substance. However, if he did not say: I am vowing in accordance with the initial intention, then he has uprooted his stipulation and upheld his vow.
רַב הוּנָא בַּר חִינָּנָא סָבַר לְמִידְרְשֵׁיהּ בְּפִירְקָא. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רָבָא: תַּנָּא קָא מְסַתֵּים לַהּ סַתּוֹמֵי כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יִנְהֲגוּ קַלּוּת רֹאשׁ בִּנְדָרִים, וְאַתְּ דָּרְשַׁתְּ לֵיהּ בְּפִירְקָא?!
The Gemara relates that Rav Huna bar Ḥinnana intended to teach this topic at the Festival lecture, so that everyone would learn this manner of rendering vows void on Rosh HaShana. Rava said to him: The tanna of the mishna conceals it and does not say it explicitly, despite the fact that it is studied by Torah scholars, in order that the public not treat vows lightly, and you teach it publicly at the Festival lecture?
אִיבַּעְיָא לְהוּ: פְּלִיגִי רַבָּנַן עֲלֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בֶּן יַעֲקֹב, אוֹ לָא? וְאִם תִּמְצָא לוֹמַר פְּלִיגִי, הִלְכְתָא כְּוָתֵיהּ, אוֹ לָא? תָּא שְׁמַע, דִּתְנַן: הָאוֹמֵר לַחֲבֵירוֹ
§ A dilemma was raised before the scholars: Do the Rabbis disagree with Rabbi Eliezer ben Ya’akov in the mishna or not? And if you say that they disagree with him, is the halakha in accordance with his opinion or not? The Gemara suggests a proof: Come and hear, as we learned in a mishna (63b): One who says to another:
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After enthusing to my friend Ruth Kahan about how much I had enjoyed remote Jewish learning during the earlier part of the pandemic, she challenged me to join her in learning the daf yomi cycle. I had always wanted to do daf yomi but now had no excuse. The beginning was particularly hard as I had never studied Talmud but has become easier, as I have gained some familiarity with it.
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In early January of 2020, I learned about Siyyum HaShas and Daf Yomi via Tablet Magazine’s brief daily podcast about the Daf. I found it compelling and fascinating. Soon I discovered Hadran; since then I have learned the Daf daily with Rabbanit Michelle Cohen Farber. The Daf has permeated my every hour, and has transformed and magnified my place within the Jewish Universe.
San Francisco, CA , United States
In July, 2012 I wrote for Tablet about the first all women’s siyum at Matan in Jerusalem, with 100 women. At the time, I thought, I would like to start with the next cycle – listening to a podcast at different times of day makes it possible. It is incredible that after 10 years, so many women are so engaged!
Pittsburgh, United States
I began learning the daf in January 2022. I initially “flew under the radar,” sharing my journey with my husband and a few close friends. I was apprehensive – who, me? Gemara? Now, 2 years in, I feel changed. The rigor of a daily commitment frames my days. The intellectual engagement enhances my knowledge. And the virtual community of learners has become a new family, weaving a glorious tapestry.
Far Rockaway, United States
I never thought I’d be able to do Daf Yomi till I saw the video of Hadran’s Siyum HaShas. Now, 2 years later, I’m about to participate in Siyum Seder Mo’ed with my Hadran community. It has been an incredible privilege to learn with Rabbanit Michelle and to get to know so many caring, talented and knowledgeable women. I look forward with great anticipation and excitement to learning Seder Nashim.
Karmiel, Israel
I read Ilana Kurshan’s “If All the Seas Were Ink” which inspired me. Then the Women’s Siyum in Jerusalem in 2020 convinced me, I knew I had to join! I have loved it- it’s been a constant in my life daily, many of the sugiyot connect to our lives. My family and friends all are so supportive. It’s incredible being part of this community and love how diverse it is! I am so excited to learn more!
Jerusalem, Israel
I was moved to tears by the Hadran Siyyum HaShas. I have learned Torah all my life, but never connected to learning Gemara on a regular basis until then. Seeing the sheer joy Talmud Torah at the siyyum, I felt compelled to be part of it, and I haven’t missed a day!
It’s not always easy, but it is so worthwhile, and it has strengthened my love of learning. It is part of my life now.
Beit Shemesh, Israel
In early 2020, I began the process of a stem cell transplant. The required extreme isolation forced me to leave work and normal life but gave me time to delve into Jewish text study. I did not feel isolated. I began Daf Yomi at the start of this cycle, with family members joining me online from my hospital room. I’ve used my newly granted time to to engage, grow and connect through this learning.
Worcester, United States
Hadran entered my life after the last Siyum Hashaas, January 2020. I was inspired and challenged simultaneously, having never thought of learning Gemara. With my family’s encouragement, I googled “daf yomi for women”. A perfecr fit!
I especially enjoy when Rabbanit Michelle connects the daf to contemporary issues to share at the shabbat table e.g: looking at the Kohen during duchaning. Toda rabba
Jerusalem, Israel
I was inspired to start learning after attending the 2020 siyum in Binyanei Hauma. It has been a great experience for me. It’s amazing to see the origins of stories I’ve heard and rituals I’ve participated in my whole life. Even when I don’t understand the daf itself, I believe that the commitment to learning every day is valuable and has multiple benefits. And there will be another daf tomorrow!
Jerusalem, Israel
Retirement and Covid converged to provide me with the opportunity to commit to daily Talmud study in October 2020. I dove into the middle of Eruvin and continued to navigate Seder Moed, with Rabannit Michelle as my guide. I have developed more confidence in my learning as I completed each masechet and look forward to completing the Daf Yomi cycle so that I can begin again!
San Diego, United States
I started learning on January 5, 2020. When I complete the 7+ year cycle I will be 70 years old. I had been intimidated by those who said that I needed to study Talmud in a traditional way with a chevruta, but I decided the learning was more important to me than the method. Thankful for Daf Yomi for Women helping me catch up when I fall behind, and also being able to celebrate with each Siyum!
Bakersfield, United States
Bronx, United States
I am a Reform rabbi and took Talmud courses in rabbinical school, but I knew there was so much more to learn. It felt inauthentic to serve as a rabbi without having read the entire Talmud, so when the opportunity arose to start Daf Yomi in 2020, I dove in! Thanks to Hadran, Daf Yomi has enriched my understanding of rabbinic Judaism and deepened my love of Jewish text & tradition. Todah rabbah!
California, United States
Nedarim 23
וַהֲווֹ מִצְטַעֲרִי רַבָּנַן מִשִּׁימְשָׁא לְטוּלָּא וּמִטּוּלָּא לְשִׁימְשָׁא.
and the Sages were troubled by the fact that they could not dissolve the vow. They spent an extended period of time attempting to do so. During this time, they moved from a location with light from the sun to one with shade, and then moved again from the shade back to the sun.
(לִישָּׁנָא אַחֲרָא: אַדַּעְתָּא דְּהָכִי? אִין. כַּמָּה זִימְנִין, וַהֲווֹ מִצְטַעֲרִי רַבָּנַן מִשִּׁימְשָׁא לְטוּלָּא וּמִטּוּלָּא לְשִׁימְשָׁא.)
The Gemara cites another version of the incident: They asked him: Did you vow with knowledge of this particular fact when you vowed? He said to them: Yes. This occurred several times and the Sages were troubled with this problem for an extended period of time, during which they moved from the sun to the shade and from the shade to the sun, but they did not find a solution.
אֲמַר לֵיהּ בָּטְנִית בְּרֵיהּ דְּאַבָּא שָׁאוּל בֶּן בָּטְנִית: מִי נְדַרְתְּ אַדַּעְתָּא דְּמִצְטַעֲרִי רַבָּנַן מִטּוּלָּא לְשִׁימְשָׁא וּמִשִּׁימְשָׁא לְטוּלָּא? אֲמַר: לָא, וְשַׁרְיוּהּ.
Botnit, son of Abba Shaul ben Botnit, said to him: Would you have vowed with the knowledge that the Sages would be troubled even to the point of going from shade to sun and from sun to shade? He said: No, and they dissolved it.
רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל בַּר רַבִּי יוֹסֵי הֲוָה לֵיהּ נִדְרָא לְמִישְׁרֵא. אֲתָא לְקַמַּיְיהוּ דְּרַבָּנַן, אָמְרוּ לֵיהּ: נְדַרְתְּ אַדַּעְתָּא דְּהָכִי? אֲמַר לְהוּ: אִין. נְדַרְתָּא אַדַּעְתָּא דְּהָכִי? אֲמַר לְהוּ: אִין. כַּמָּה זִימְנִין. כֵּיוָן דַּחֲזָא הָהוּא קַצָּרָא דְּמִצְטַעֲרִי רַבָּנַן, מַחְיֵיהּ בְּאוּכְלָא דְקַצָּרֵי. אֲמַר: אַדַּעְתָּא דְּמָחֵי לִי קַצָּרָא לָא נְדַרִי, וְשַׁרְיֵהּ לְנַפְשֵׁיהּ.
The Gemara relates another incident: Rabbi Yishmael bar Rabbi Yosei had a vow to dissolve. He came before the Sages. They said to him: Did you vow with knowledge of this particular fact? He said to them: Yes. They asked again: Did you vow with knowledge of this other fact? He said to them: Yes. This occurred several times. When a certain launderer saw that the Sages were troubled because Rabbi Yishmael caused them difficulty in successfully dissolving his vow, he hit Rabbi Yishmael with a launderer’s tool that he had in his hand. Rabbi Yishmael said: Had I known that the launderer would hit me due to my vow I would not have vowed, and he dissolved it.
אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַב אַחָא מִדִּיפְתִּי לְרָבִינָא: הַאי נוֹלָד הוּא, דְּלָא מַסֵּיק אַדַּעְתָּא דְּמָחֵי לֵיהּ קַצָּרָא. וּתְנֵינָא: אֵין פּוֹתְחִין לוֹ בַּנּוֹלָד! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: הַאי לָאו נוֹלָד הוּא, דִּשְׁכִיחִי אַפִּיקוֹרֵי דִּמְצַעֲרִי רַבָּנַן.
Rav Aḥa of Difti said to Ravina: This is a case of a new situation, which is not included among those matters that he could have considered at the time of the vow, because it would not enter his mind that the launderer would hit him. And we already learned: We do not broach dissolution with a person using a new situation that did not exist at the time of the vow. Ravina said to him: This is not a new situation that he could not have thought of previously, since it is common to find heretics [appikurei] who deny fundamental Torah principles and who trouble the Sages. Although he would not have considered the possibility that this launderer would attack him, he may have considered the possibility that some heretic would. Therefore, it was permitted to broach dissolution in this manner.
דְּבֵיתְהוּ דְּאַבָּיֵי הֲוָה לַהּ הָהִיא בְּרַתָּא. הוּא אָמַר: לְקָרִיבַאי. הִיא אָמְרָה: לְקָרִיבַהּ. אֲמַר לַהּ: תִּיתְּסַר הֲנָאָתִי עֲלָךְ אִי עָבְרַתְּ אַדַּעְתַּאי וּמַינְסְּבַת לַהּ לְקָרִיבָךְ. אֲזַלַת וַעֲבַרַת עַל דַּעְתֵּיהּ וְאִינַּסְבָא לְקָרִיבַהּ. אֲתָא לְקַמֵּיהּ דְּרַב יוֹסֵף. אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אִילּוּ הֲוָה יָדְעַתְּ דַּעֲבַרַת עַל דַּעְתָּךְ וּמַנְסְבָא לַהּ לְקָרִיבַהּ מִי אַדַּרְתַּהּ? אֲמַר: לָא. וְשַׁרְיֵיהּ רַב יוֹסֵף.
§ The wife of Abaye had a certain daughter. Abaye said: She should get married to my relative. His wife said that she should get married to her relative. He said to his wife: Benefit from me should be forbidden to you, if you defy my will and marry her to your relative. She went and defied his will and married her to her relative. Abaye came before Rav Yosef. Rav Yosef said to him: If you had known that she would ultimately defy your will and marry her to her relative, would you have made the vow? He said: No. And Rav Yosef dissolved the vow for him because Abaye did not think that his wife would actually defy him, and he intended the vow only to serve as a threat.
וּמִי שְׁרֵי כִּי הַאי גַּוְונָא? אִין, וְהָתַנְיָא: מַעֲשֶׂה בְּאָדָם אֶחָד שֶׁהִדִּיר אֶת אִשְׁתּוֹ מִלַּעֲלוֹת לָרֶגֶל, וְעָבְרָה עַל דַּעְתּוֹ וְעָלְתָה לָרֶגֶל, וּבָא לִפְנֵי רַבִּי יוֹסֵי. אָמַר לוֹ: וְאִילּוּ הָיִיתָ יוֹדֵעַ שֶׁעוֹבֶרֶת עַל דַּעְתְּךָ וְעוֹלָה לָרֶגֶל כְּלוּם הִדַּרְתָּהּ? אָמַר לוֹ: לֹא, וְהִתִּירוֹ רַבִּי יוֹסֵי.
The Gemara asks: And is it dissolved in a case like this, where the vow was dependent on the daughter not marrying the wife’s relative? The Gemara answers: Yes, and it is taught in the Tosefta (5:1): There was an incident involving one man who vowed, prohibiting his wife from benefiting from him if she were to ascend to Jerusalem for the pilgrimage Festival, and she defied his will and ascended to Jerusalem for the pilgrimage Festival. And when he came before Rabbi Yosei to request dissolution, Rabbi Yosei said to him: And had you known that she would defy your will and ascend to Jerusalem on the pilgrimage Festival, would you have vowed at all? He said to him: No, and Rabbi Yosei dissolved it. This incident indicates that it is permitted to dissolve a vow with such an opening.
מַתְנִי׳ רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בֶּן יַעֲקֹב אוֹמֵר: אַף הָרוֹצֶה לְהַדִּיר אֶת חֲבֵירוֹ שֶׁיֹּאכַל אֶצְלוֹ, יֹאמַר לוֹ: ״כׇּל נֶדֶר שֶׁאֲנִי עָתִיד לִידּוֹר הוּא בָּטֵל״, וּבִלְבַד שֶׁיְּהֵא זָכוּר בִּשְׁעַת הַנֶּדֶר.
MISHNA: Rabbi Eliezer ben Ya’akov says: Even one who wants to take a vow prohibiting another from benefiting from him, but only in order that he should eat with him, not intending to take an actual vow, should say to him at the outset: Any vow that I take in the future is void. And this statement is effective, provided that he remembers at the time of the vow that his intent at the beginning of the year was to render it void.
גְּמָ׳ וְכֵיוָן דְּאָמַר ״כׇּל נֶדֶר שֶׁאֲנִי עָתִיד לִידּוֹר יְהֵא בָּטֵל״, לָא שָׁמַע לֵיהּ וְלָא אָתֵי בַּהֲדֵיהּ?
GEMARA: With regard to Rabbi Eliezer ben Ya’akov’s proposal, the Gemara asks: And since he said: Any vow that I take in the future should be void, the one being invited will not listen to him and will not come to eat with him, since he already knows that the vow is not valid. That being the case, why would the first individual take a vow at all?
חַסּוֹרֵי מִיחַסְּרָא וְהָכִי קָתָנֵי: הָרוֹצֶה שֶׁיֹּאכַל אֶצְלוֹ חֲבֵירוֹ וּמְסָרֵב בּוֹ וּמַדִּירוֹ — נִדְרֵי זֵירוּזִין הוּא. וְהָרוֹצֶה שֶׁלֹּא יִתְקַיְּימוּ נְדָרָיו כׇּל הַשָּׁנָה, יַעֲמוֹד בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה וְיֹאמַר: כׇּל נֶדֶר שֶׁאֲנִי עָתִיד לִידּוֹר יְהֵא בָּטֵל, וּבִלְבַד שֶׁיְּהֵא זָכוּר בִּשְׁעַת הַנֶּדֶר.
The Gemara answers: The mishna is incomplete and is teaching like this: In the case of one who wants another to eat with him, and he urges him to do so and makes a vow with regard to him, this vow is included in the category of vows of exhortation, which do not require dissolution. And in addition, one who desires that his vows not be upheld for the entire year should stand up on Rosh HaShana and say: Any vow that I take in the future should be void. And this statement is effective, provided that he remembers at the time of the vow that his intent at the beginning of the year was to render it void.
אִי זָכוּר, עַקְרֵיהּ לִתְנָאֵיהּ, וְקַיֵּים לֵיהּ לְנִדְרֵיהּ! אָמַר אַבָּיֵי, תָּנֵי: וּבִלְבַד שֶׁלֹּא יְהֵא זָכוּר בִּשְׁעַת הַנֶּדֶר.
The Gemara asks: If he remembers at the time of the vow that his intent at the beginning of the year was to render it void but still makes the vow, then he has uprooted his stipulation that all his vows are void and has upheld his vow. Why, then, does it state that the vows are void in this case? Abaye said: Teach: And this statement is effective, provided that he does not remember at the time of the vow that his intention at the beginning of the year was to render it void.
רָבָא אָמַר: לְעוֹלָם כִּדְאָמְרִינַן מֵעִיקָּרָא. הָכָא בְּמַאי עָסְקִינַן — כְּגוֹן שֶׁהִתְנָה בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה, וְלֹא יָדַע בַּמֶּה הִתְנָה. וְהַשְׁתָּא קָא נָדַר. אִי זָכוּר בִּשְׁעַת הַנֶּדֶר, וְאָמַר ״עַל דַּעַת הָרִאשׁוֹנָה אֲנִי נוֹדֵר״ — נִדְרֵיהּ לֵית בֵּיהּ מַמָּשָׁא. לֹא אָמַר ״עַל דַּעַת הָרִאשׁוֹנָה אֲנִי נוֹדֵר״ — עַקְרֵיהּ לִתְנָאֵיהּ וְקַיֵּים לְנִדְרֵיהּ.
Rava said: Actually, say as we said initially, that he does remember his stipulation at the time of the vow. With what are we dealing here? It is a case where he stipulated a condition on Rosh HaShana rendering void vows that he would make later in the year, but he did not know with regard to which vows he made the stipulation, and now he makes a vow. If he remembers at the time of the vow and says: I am vowing in accordance with the initial intention, when I stipulated that all vows should be void, his vow has no substance. However, if he did not say: I am vowing in accordance with the initial intention, then he has uprooted his stipulation and upheld his vow.
רַב הוּנָא בַּר חִינָּנָא סָבַר לְמִידְרְשֵׁיהּ בְּפִירְקָא. אֲמַר לֵיהּ רָבָא: תַּנָּא קָא מְסַתֵּים לַהּ סַתּוֹמֵי כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יִנְהֲגוּ קַלּוּת רֹאשׁ בִּנְדָרִים, וְאַתְּ דָּרְשַׁתְּ לֵיהּ בְּפִירְקָא?!
The Gemara relates that Rav Huna bar Ḥinnana intended to teach this topic at the Festival lecture, so that everyone would learn this manner of rendering vows void on Rosh HaShana. Rava said to him: The tanna of the mishna conceals it and does not say it explicitly, despite the fact that it is studied by Torah scholars, in order that the public not treat vows lightly, and you teach it publicly at the Festival lecture?
אִיבַּעְיָא לְהוּ: פְּלִיגִי רַבָּנַן עֲלֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בֶּן יַעֲקֹב, אוֹ לָא? וְאִם תִּמְצָא לוֹמַר פְּלִיגִי, הִלְכְתָא כְּוָתֵיהּ, אוֹ לָא? תָּא שְׁמַע, דִּתְנַן: הָאוֹמֵר לַחֲבֵירוֹ
§ A dilemma was raised before the scholars: Do the Rabbis disagree with Rabbi Eliezer ben Ya’akov in the mishna or not? And if you say that they disagree with him, is the halakha in accordance with his opinion or not? The Gemara suggests a proof: Come and hear, as we learned in a mishna (63b): One who says to another:
