Talking Talmud

A long mishnah: One who declares certain foods to be off-limits will have different restrictions, depending on the phrasing. Plus, how far into the future does one's vow extend? Also, when a husband swears off his wife's productivity. Or does so for a set amount of time (the same "until Pesach" deadlines that we've seen in the past). Note that the Gemara doesn't address the whole if the mishnah; rather, it focuses on the vow against the productivity of the wife's hands. Plus, the question of uprooting an onion during the 7th year (shemitah), for replanting in the 8th year. How does that growth have impact on what has been prohibited by the vow? Which raises the question, post-growth, can food lose its forbidden status?

3 mishnayot: When one swears off a house - going into the attic of a house may or not be included in that vow, as prohibited (a dispute between R. Meir and the sages). Also, one who swears off a bed, which may or may not include a "dargash." Plus, defining "dargash." Also, swearing off entrance to a city - which includes its environs, apparently, while the inside/outside of a house are more specific to the doorjamb.

More on the terms we use. One who swears off "dagan" may include a particular bean, and not just the 5 grains, because of the way that bean is stored. Plus, the story of Mar bar Shmuel and the stipulation in his will. Also, character development for Rava from R. Yosef. Also, swearing off clothing, and the implications for non-garments, and for things made of the same kind of thing as garments, but when it's not garments. Likewise, the implications of carrying on Shabbat for "garments" - namely, if it's not considered carrying, it's considered wearing, and vice versa.

Chapter VII: Swearing off "vegetables" - does that include gourds? What about legumes? What drives whether the term "vegetables" is more or less inclusive? Also, the implications for punishment if this vow is violated technically are significant. Namely, the question of whether one would get lashes. Also, implications for me'ilah. What happens with different (correct) names for meat - when that meat is hekdesh?! Whose fault is it?

More vows about food in 3 new mishnayot. Does swearing off dates include silan (date honey)? What about winter grapes and their vinegar? It would seem that the way we refer to the different foods and their derivatives may make the difference, as to whether it is included in the vow against the food. But is there really a dispute in the mishnah? Also, one who swears off wine can still have cider (wine from apples) - the default understanding of the term "wine" means from grapes. Likewise, "oil" meant olive oil. Likewise, "honey" means from bees. Likewise, "leeks," as compared to another variety of leek. And so on with other general terms, and the question of what is included by those terms, as specific or category. Also, cabbage and asparagus. Grits and pottage. Pottage vs. garlic. Plus different ways of preparing lentils. Among other phrasings that include or don't include various pairings of foods.

Food vows in the mishnah - first, swearing off milk (does that include whey?), or swearing off whey (does that include milk?). Plus, R. Tarfon, meat, and more. Also, one who swears off grapes (what about wine?) or olives (what about olive oil?). To what extent does the general casual phrasing have impact on the reach of the vow?

A racy daf. Bar Kappara talks to R. Yehudah HaNasi's daughter, apparently provoking her. Ben Elasa was the son-in-law to R. Yehudah HaNasi, and he was invited to the wedding of R. Shimon, son of R. Yehudah HaNasi. And Bar Kappara asks provocative questions of R. Yehudah HaNasi, some of them less table-talk than others. [Who's Who: Bar Kappara] Also, 2 mishnayot, with attention to the precise meaning of the words used when making a vow - common use and expression vs. literal use of a term, which is the intent of one's vow?

Biographical details about various sages, with a focus on R. Akiva, including his marriage, and the dynamic with his father-in-law, Kalba Savua. Plus, the Jerusalem of Gold ornament. Note the Nedarim context here of the very familiar narrative. Also, the insult to R. Yehoshua that he is ugly, despite his glorious Torah. Plus, another insult to Shmuel, and the consequences of that.

Another granular mishnah. One who swears off cooked food can still eat roasted food or undercooked food. Cooked means prepared with heat that you eat with bread, as per the practices of yore. Likewise, one who swears off food made in a pot - boiling, specifically, or moving on to any food that's cooked in a pot. Also, the porridge eaten in Babylonia, with bread. Plus, table manners and the effect of different foods.

Starting with a long mishnah: the phrasing of the vow prohibiting benefit makes a real difference, even in private property. What happens when the property is available for public use? How can one be sworn of use or benefit from them? The mishnah defines municipal works in this context. Plus, different locales have different expectations and requirements. Also, on the people of the Galilee - whom the Gemara calls "contrarians," who regularly made nedarim, swearing off each other's property! Plus, a second mishnah - with the case of a grandfather who swears off benefit from his son, which makes things difficult when the son is marrying off the grandson. A work-around is needed.