Nedarim 6a

נדרים ו׳ ע״א

Learn Nedarim 6a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

Open Nedarim 6a in Gemara Clarity

Topic

Whether an unclear vow expression (יָדַיִם שֶׁאֵין מוֹכִיחוֹת) counts. אביי and רבא are tested against two ברייתות and linked to the מחלוקת of רבי יהודה and the רבנן.

Overview

This amud continues the dispute between אביי and רבא about an unclear 'handle' to a vow (יד שאינה מוכיחה). אביי says it works, and רבא says it does not. It opens with the end of רבא's claim that his view fits even the רבנן: their leniency with a גט proves nothing for other cases. Next, a ברייתא seems to refute אביי, since 'הרי הוא עלי' forbids the object, implying that without 'עלי' it does not. אביי's first answer, that he may have meant הפקר or צדקה, is pushed back. So the ברייתא is reread: without 'עלי' the object is forbidden to everyone, because he may have meant הקדש. A second ברייתא, about 'this is a חטאת' versus 'this is my חטאת', is answered by saying it follows רבי יהודה. אביי then retracts his earlier claim that his view fits רבי יהודה too. Finally, רבא shows that his own view still fits the רבנן, because they are lenient only with a גט, where a man cannot divorce someone else's wife.

Opening lines

The steps (11)

1. RejectionThe divorce case proves nothing about unclear expressions in general
2. ChallengeA ברייתא seems to refute אביי
3. Resolutionאביי: without "עלי" he may have meant הפקר or צדקה
4. ChallengeBut the ברייתא's reason is about a קרבן handle
5. ResolutionReread the ברייתא: without "עלי" both people are forbidden
6. ChallengeA ברייתא about sin-offerings seems to refute אביי
7. Resolutionאביי says the ברייתא follows רבי יהודה
8. ChallengeBut אביי said his view fits even רבי יהודה
9. Resolutionאביי took back his earlier claim
10. ChallengeDoes רבא now follow only רבי יהודה?
11. Resolutionרבא: the רבנן are lenient only with a גט