Nedarim 74b

נדרים ע״ד ע״ב

Learn Nedarim 74b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Can a יבם cancel the vows of a שומרת יבם? Testing and supporting רבי אמי's claim that רבי אליעזר means a case where the יבם did מאמר.

Overview

Earlier, רבי אמי explained that רבי אליעזר in the משנה, who lets the יבם cancel the vows of a שומרת יבם, is talking about a case where the יבם already did מאמר. The גמרא tests this explanation. First it asks how a woman acquired through מאמר can be called 'acquired from Heaven.' The answer is that he acquired her, but only through the bond Heaven made. Next the גמרא says רבי אמי's reading would solve רבה's question about whether מאמר creates אירוסין or נשואין according to בית שמאי. רב נחמן בר יצחק blocks that proof: 'he cancels' can mean together with her father. The גמרא then quotes a ברייתא that supports רבי אמי. In it, רבי אליעזר, רבי יהושע and רבי עקיבא argue about one יבם versus two, and רבי עקיבא answers each challenge so well that בן עזאי regrets not having served him. At the end of the amud the גמרא starts asking how this ברייתא supports רבי אמי; the answer comes on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (12)

1. ChallengeThe משנה's wording seems to clash with רבי אמי
2. ResolutionHe acquired her, but only through Heaven
3. Challengeרבי אמי's reading would solve רבה's open question
4. ProofThe proof: no father is mentioned, so it must be full marriage
5. Rejection'He cancels' can mean together with the father
6. ProofA ברייתא supports רבי אמי
7. Proofרבי אליעזר's logical argument for the יבם's full power
8. Rejectionרבי עקיבא rejects the argument because others share in a יבמה
9. Challengeרבי יהושע asks about the case of only one יבם
10. Resolutionרבי עקיבא: the laws of יבום never make that distinction
11. Conclusionבן עזאי's regret at not serving רבי עקיבא
12. QuestionThe גמרא begins asking how the ברייתא supports רבי אמי