Nedarim 89a

נדרים פ״ט ע״א

Learn Nedarim 89a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

When a husband can annul his wife's vows: status at the time of the vow, the two 'זה הכלל' rules, and the start of the nine women whose vows stand

Overview

The משנה teaches that a husband can annul a vow his wife made while married, even if it only starts after she is widowed or divorced. It adds that once she has left his authority even for a moment, he can no longer annul her earlier vows. The גמרא brings a ברייתא where רבי ישמעאל and רבי עקיבא argue about a vow made in one status that takes effect in another, and each reads a different part of the same פסוק. רב חסדא says our משנה follows רבי עקיבא. אביי says it can even follow רבי ישמעאל, because a vow tied to a number of days has no built-in link to the marriage, unlike a vow tied to marriage or divorce. The גמרא then explains what the two 'זה הכלל' lines add: in the earlier chapter, a bride whose father's side traveled with her is still under her father, and in our chapter, a bride handed over to the husband's messengers is already in his domain. Finally, a new משנה begins listing nine young women whose vows cannot be annulled, and the list continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

The steps (12)

1. StatementA vow made during marriage can be annulled even if it starts after the marriage ends
2. StatementOnce she leaves his authority even briefly, he cannot annul her earlier vows
3. StatementA widow or divorcée who vows to be a nazirite once she remarries
4. StatementA married woman who vows to be a nazirite once she is divorced
5. Proofרבי ישמעאל's source: the vow's effect must be during widowhood or divorce
6. Proofרבי עקיבא's source: the vow must be made during widowhood or divorce
7. Statementרב חסדא: our משנה follows רבי עקיבא
8. Resolutionאביי: the משנה can follow רבי ישמעאל, because a vow tied to days differs from one tied to marriage
9. ResolutionFinishing the difference between a days-vow and a marriage-vow
10. StatementWhat 'this is the principle' adds in the chapter of the betrothed young woman
11. StatementWhat 'this is the principle' adds in our chapter
12. StatementNew משנה: nine young women whose vows stand