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Week 70 - Shabbat - 31 March 2001

NEDARIM: CHAPTER 7: MISHNAH 2

If one prohibits himself by vow from grain, he is prohibited from dry Egyptian beans; the words of Rabbi Meir. And the Sages say, He is prohibited only from the five species. Rabbi Meir says, One who is prohibited by vow from produce is prohibited only from the five species, but one who is prohibited by vow from grain is prohibited all, and is permitted fruit of the trees and vegetables.

Kehati

It was taught in the concluding section of the preceding mishnah that one who is prohibited by vow from vegetables is permitted dry Egyptian beans, since it is treated as grain and is heaped up. This mishnah discusses the law regarding dry Egyptian bean when one prohibits himself by vow from grain.

If one prohibits himself by vow from grain -- e.g., he said, "Konam this grain for me," he is prohibited from dry Egyptian beans -- since they are made up into a pile on the threshing-floor, as is done with grain; the words of Rabbi Meir -- for Rabbi Meir holds that one who prohibits himself by vow from grain is forbidden all types of legumes which are heaped up.

And the Sages say, He -- the person who is prohibited by vow from grain, is prohibited only from the five species -- of grain -- wheat, barley, spelt, oats, and rye, since these species are called "grain" both in Torah law, such as setting aside of hallah from the dough (see Num. 15:20), and the hametz and matzah, etc., and in popular usage; legumes, however, are not included in the category "grain," even though heaped in a pile, and he therefore is permitted it.

Rabbi Meir says, one who is prohibited by vow from produce is prohibited only from the five species -- which are listed above, for Rabbi Meir agrees that the wording "produce" includes only the five species, but one who is prohibited by vow from grain is prohibited all -- types of legumes, for, according to Rabbi Meir, the wording "grain" includes everything which is piled into a heap like grain; therefore one who prohibits himself by a vow from grain is prohibited from them, and is permitted fruit of the trees and vegetables -- even though they are called "produce of the field," they are not included in the category of "grain" (Gemara).

NEDARIM: CHAPTER 7: MISHNAH 3

If one prohibits himself by vow from clothing, he is permitted sackcloth, a curtain, and a blanket. If one says, "Konam if wool comes upon me," he is permitted to cover himself with wool shearings; "if flax comes upon me," he is permitted to cover himself with flax stalks. Rabbi Yehudah says, Everything is according to the person taking the vow: if a person was laden and perspired, and his odor was bad, he said, "Konam if wool and flax come upon me," he is permitted to cover himself, and he is prohibited from rolling up behind him.

Kehati

Until now the mishnah has dealt with certain foods. This mishnah discusses one who prohibits himself by vow from certain types of clothing.

If one prohibits himself by vow from clothing -- he forbade himself "garment," he is permitted -- to cover himself in -- sackcloth, a curtain, and a blanket -- which are thick, coarse types of garments, which people are accustomed to wear only on special occasions. According to Rambam's commentary "sackcloth" -- woven with hairy yarn; "curtain" -- a thick, coarse linen cloth which is not sewn; "blanket" -- a sort of thick fabric, used for protection from rain.

If one says, "Konam if wool comes upon me" -- he prohibited himself by vow from putting wool on his body, he is permitted to cover himself with wool shearings -- pieces of wool shorn from the sheep, since one taking the vow did not refer to plain wool, but only to a woolen garment; and similarly, if a person says, "Konam -- "if flax comes upon me," he is permitted to cover himself with flax stalks -- yarn separated from the stalks, and from which a garment has not yet been made, for the person taking the vow meant only a flax garment.

Rabbi Yehudah says, Everything is according to the person taking the vow -- the general rule regarding vows is that we follow the intent of the person taking the vow, according to the circumstances of his vow. How so?

If a person was laden -- carries on his back a load of wool or of flax, and he perspired, and his odor was bad -- it was unbearable, and therefore -- he said, "Konam if wool and flax come upon me" -- he prohibited himself by vow from putting wool and flax on his body, he is permitted to cover himself -- to wear wool or flax garments, but he is prohibited from rolling up behind him -- from loading them on his back as a bundle, since it is obvious that the person taking the vow did not intend to prohibit himself from wearing wool or flax, but only from loading wool and flax, since he took this vow only because he was heavily laden and perspired.

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