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Nedarim 33a

נדרים ל״ג ע״א

Learn Nedarim 33a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Nedarim 33a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Which favors count as forbidden benefit for someone barred by vow from his friend's food or benefit (המודר הנאה מחבירו)

Overview

The משנה said that someone who vowed off his friend's food may not borrow food-making tools like a sieve or an oven. The גמרא asks how tools can be forbidden when the vow was only about food. ריש לקיש says the vow was 'benefit of your food,' and רבא widens it to 'benefit that leads to your food.' רב פפא adds that a sack, a donkey or a basket for carrying produce also count. He then asks about less direct help: a horse to ride, a ring to be seen with, and walking across the friend's land. A proof from the משנה, which allows lending rings, is rejected, so the ring question stays unanswered. The next משנה forbids even non-food items where people usually rent them out. From this, the גמרא infers that food tools are forbidden even where people lend them for free, and רב אדא בר אהבה says this follows רבי אליעזר. A further משנה allows the friend to pay the barred person's half-shekel and debt and return his lost item. The גמרא explains that paying a debt is just 'chasing away a lion.' רב הושעיא begins to name the תנא behind this, and his answer continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

וְהָא מִן מַאֲכָל נָדַר!

But he vowed from food!

אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן לָקִישׁ:

Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish said:

בְּאוֹמֵר ״הֲנָאַת מַאֲכָלְךָ עָלַי״.

Where he says: 'Benefit of your food is forbidden to me.'

אֵימָא שֶׁלֹּא יִלְעוֹס חִיטִּין

Say that he may not chew wheat kernels

The steps (16)

  1. ChallengeBut he only vowed off food
  2. ResolutionThe vow said 'benefit of your food'
  3. ChallengeThat wording covers only direct use of the food
  4. ResolutionThe vow said 'benefit that leads to your food'
  5. StatementSack, donkey and basket all lead to food
  6. QuestionWhat about a horse, a ring, or a shortcut?
  7. ProofProof attempt from the משנה: rings may be lent
  8. RejectionThe ring proof is rejected
  9. StatementNon-food items are forbidden where people rent them
  10. StatementFood tools are forbidden even where they are not rented
  11. QuestionWho is the author of this משנה?
  12. ResponseIt is רבי אליעזר
  13. StatementFavors he may still do: shekel, debt, lost item
  14. StatementPaying a debt is like chasing away a lion
  15. QuestionWhich תנא holds this view?
  16. Responseרב הושעיא begins to answer