Gemara Clarity

Nedarim 61a

נדרים ס״א ע״א

Learn Nedarim 61a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

How to read time-words in a נדר: 'שנה' versus 'השנה', what a vow 'for a יובל' covers, and the start of the discussion of a vow 'until פסח'.

Overview

The גמרא finishes trying to prove from the משנה about a leap year that 'a year' (שנה) means the same as 'this year' (השנה), and so 'a day' (יום) means the same as 'today' (היום). The proof is pushed away. The משנה really is about 'השנה', and its new point is that the leap month is included even though most years have none. Next comes a new question: if someone vows off wine 'for a יובל', is the fiftieth year included? To answer it, the גמרא brings a ברייתא where the רבנן say the יובל year is not counted in the next seven-year cycle, and רבי יהודה says it is. Each side attacks the other from a פסוק, 'six years you shall sow' against רבי יהודה and 'produce for three years' against the רבנן. רבי יהודה answers that both פסוקים speak about ordinary cycles. Finally, the גמרא turns to the משנה's vow 'until פסח' and starts asking what רבי מאיר holds. That question continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

אִילֵּימָא כִּדְקָתָנֵי —

If you say it is exactly as it teaches,

לְמָה לִי לְמֵימְרָא?

why do I need it to be said?

אֶלָּא לָאו, דַּאֲמַר ״שָׁנָה״.

Rather, is it not a case where he said 'a year'?

אַלְמָא ״שָׁנָה״ כְּ״הַשָּׁנָה״ דָּמֵי,

Apparently, 'a year' is like 'this year',

The steps (9)

  1. ProofTrying to prove that 'a year' means 'this year'
  2. RejectionThe proof is pushed away: the משנה really means 'this year'
  3. QuestionNew question: a vow off wine 'for a יובל'
  4. ProofBringing a ברייתא: the רבנן say יובל is not counted in the שמיטה cycle
  5. Statementרבי יהודה: the יובל year counts in the seven-year cycle
  6. ChallengeThe Rabbis challenge רבי יהודה from 'six years you shall sow'
  7. Challengeרבי יהודה answers back with 'produce for three years'
  8. ResolutionBoth verses refer to ordinary seven-year cycles
  9. QuestionA vow until פסח: what does רבי מאיר hold?