Nedarim 21b

נדרים כ״א ע״ב

Learn Nedarim 21b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Nedarim 21b in Gemara Clarity

Topic

The unsolved bargaining-vow question, רב אסי on the four vows, and the different ways sages opened a vow (פותחין בחרטה)

Overview

The גמרא first shows that the cold-water case in the משנה cannot settle the question of a bargaining vow, so that question stays unresolved (תבעי). Next, רב יהודה quotes רב אסי: the four vows of the משנה still need a חכם. שמואל objects, because the משנה says חכמים already released them. רב יוסף gives another version of רב אסי's words: a חכם may release only vows that are like these four. From this the גמרא learns that רב אסי holds אין פותחין בחרטה, so regret alone is not enough to release a vow. Then the גמרא tells stories of רב הונא and רבה בר רב הונא, who released vows using two different questions. A ברייתא shows that these same two questions come from רבי יהודה and רבי יוסי. After a memory aid, more stories follow about how רבי אסי, רבי אלעזר and רבי יוחנן opened vows. רבי יוחנן's story, about a mother who vowed concerning her daughter, continues on the next עמוד.

Opening lines

The steps (13)

1. RejectionThe cold-water case is not like the bargaining case
2. ConclusionThe question stays unresolved
3. Statementרב אסי: the four vows still need a חכם
4. Challengeשמואל objects: the משנה says they are already released
5. Statementרב יוסף's version: a חכם may only release vows like these four
6. ConclusionSo רב אסי holds that regret alone is not enough
7. Statementרב הונא releases a vow because the man no longer wants it
8. Statementרבה בר רב הונא releases a vow with a different question
9. ProofA ברייתא shows both questions come from תנאים
10. StatementA memory aid for the next discussion
11. Statementרבי אסי asks if the person regrets the vow now
12. Statementרבי אלעזר asks if the person really wanted to vow
13. StatementA mother vows about her daughter and comes to רבי יוחנן