Nedarim 78b

נדרים ע״ח ע״ב

Learn Nedarim 78b step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Who may release vows (an expert or three laymen), and whether a husband who stays silent on purpose can still cancel his wife's vow later

Overview

The amud opens by finishing two explanations of how the Torah connects the מועדי ה׳ (Festivals) to other sections. First, Festivals need קידוש בית דין because their dates depend on the court, while שבת is holy every week on its own. Second, fixing the Festivals needs a מומחה (expert), but vows can be released even by a court of הדיוטות (laymen). The גמרא challenges this from the words ״ראשי המטות״. It answers that those words teach that a single expert alone may also release vows. Then רבי חנינא rules that a husband who stays silent just to annoy his wife can still cancel her vow for up to ten days. רבא challenges him from a ברייתא about a husband who dies after staying silent. The גמרא answers that the ברייתא is about plain silence with no special intention. Finally רב חסדא begins a new challenge from a ברייתא comparing keeping and canceling a vow, which continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (11)

1. StatementFestivals need the court to sanctify them, שבת does not
2. StatementFestivals need an expert, but vows can be released even by laymen
3. ChallengeBut the vows section mentions the heads of the tribes
4. ResolutionThe heads of the tribes teaches that one expert alone can release vows
5. StatementA husband silent just to annoy her can still cancel for ten days
6. Challengeרבא objects from a ברייתא about a husband who dies
7. ChallengeIsn't the ברייתא talking about silence meant to annoy?
8. ResolutionNo: the ברייתא means silence in order to keep the vow
9. ChallengeThat case is already in the ברייתא
10. ResolutionRather, the ברייתא means plain silence
11. Challengeרב חסדא begins a new challenge