Gemara Clarity

Nedarim 8a

נדרים ח׳ ע״א

Learn Nedarim 8a step by step: Aramaic beside English, every question, answer and proof colour-coded.

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Topic

Oaths and vows to do מצוות and to learn Torah (רב גידל in the name of רב), and how to release a נידוי from a dream

Overview

The גמרא brings several teachings of רב גידל in the name of רב. First, a person may swear to keep a מצוה, based on a פסוק in תהלים. The גמרא asks how that works if every Jew already swore at הר סיני. It answers that such an oath is a permitted way to motivate oneself. Next, one who commits to learn a specific פרק or מסכתא has made a 'great vow,' and here the vow really takes effect. The reason is that the basic duty of תלמוד תורה can be met with קריאת שמע morning and evening, so a specific chapter is something extra. רב גידל also teaches that whoever suggests getting up early to learn together must be the first one up, hinted at by a פסוק in יחזקאל. Then רב יוסף teaches that a נידוי received in a dream needs ten people who learned הלכה to release it, with backup options if they can't be found. רב אשי explains that the person seen in the dream cannot release the ban, because he was sent only to give it. רב אחא then asks about a dream where the person was banned and also released, and רב אשי begins answering with a comparison to grain and straw that continues on the next amud.

Opening lines

מִנַּיִן שֶׁנִּשְׁבָּעִין לְקַיֵּים אֶת הַמִּצְוָה,

From where do we know that one may swear to fulfill a מצוה?

שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר:

As it says:

״נִשְׁבַּעְתִּי וָאֲקַיֵּמָה

"I have sworn and I will fulfill it,

לִשְׁמֹר מִשְׁפְּטֵי צִדְקֶךָ״.

to keep Your righteous laws."

The steps (14)

  1. StatementA source that one may swear to keep a מצוה
  2. ChallengeBut everyone already swore at Sinai
  3. ResolutionThe oath is a permitted way to push oneself
  4. StatementCommitting to learn a chapter is a great vow
  5. ChallengeHe is already bound to learn Torah
  6. ChallengeIf it is just motivation, it repeats the first teaching
  7. Resolutionשמע covers the basic duty, so the vow takes hold
  8. StatementWhoever suggests learning early must get up first
  9. StatementA ban from a dream needs ten learned people to release it
  10. StatementIf no qualified ten are around, wait at the crossroads
  11. QuestionCan the person from the dream release the ban himself?
  12. ResponseHe was sent only to ban, not to release
  13. QuestionBanned and released in the same dream
  14. Responseרב אשי begins: grain always comes with straw