Talking Talmud

What benefits can accrue from Torah when one swears off benefit from a given person? The Gemara shows the monetary loss. Plus, the dispute over whether teachers of children are paid for childcare or for teaching them skills. Also, analysis of the dispute. Plus, what about girls, when boys were the only ones in school? Also, how do the ta'amei hamikra (trop) fit in? Aren't they part of the text, essentially?

The daf explores an very existential question: can we perform an action on someone else’s behalf for their benefit without their knowledge?

A dilemma posed to R. Nachman: when one swears off property, does that make the use of that property its own violation, as per me'ilah, the violation of property consecrated to the Beit HaMikdash? Also, the new mishnah: what is included and excluded when one swears off benefit from another person? What can the limited person still do for or with the other? For example, the role of a kohen that goes beyond personal benefit... When can he function in his official role, even for one who has sworn off benefitting from him, and when can he not?

A mishnah on the previous daf leads into a discussion of what is excluded when one swears off benefit from another. Including returning a lost object, for example, and how benefit should go to the Temple treasury. And the dispute that arises in this question. Plus, an important assessment of these passages as difficult, which leads to considerations of different manuscripts or editions before the different commentators. Also, the complications this emerge from swearing off benefit - specifically, one swears off from another's benefit from his loaf of bread, and then gives that same loaf as a gift. What is the halakhah in such a case? Along with a dispute on the implications of this case.

A new chapter! The only real difference between one who swears off benefit from his friend and one who swears off the food of his friend is only a matter of walking over, on his property, for example (and whether items not connected to food prep would be allowed or not). Plus, who taught this mishnah? (R. Eliezer). Also, another mishnah...still on food prep, and a question on what might be rented, and that connects. Plus, swearing off and yet getting benefit. With complicated parameters. Plus, the case of Hanan.

More on the importance of circumstances. Specifically, the story of Moshe and God's wrath at his apparent delaying the circumcision of his son. Plus, more on Moshe, and God's wrath. Also, the completion of Avraham via brit milah, and the covenant with God. Plus, the significance of gematriya in names.

More mishnayot! One - a person who makes a vow not to benefit from those who "rest" on Shabbat - who is included and excluded from this category? Or a vow not to benefit from those who eat garlic... Which links back to a decree from Ezra, specifically to eat garlic on Shabbat. Likewise, one who goes up to Jerusalem. All being connected to Jews vs. Kutim. Two - Swearing off benefit from those who are descendants of Noah, which sounds like everyone, but comes to exclude the Jewish people. Three - Swearing off benefit from those who are descendants from Abraham, which sounds like it means at least all of the three main monotheistic religions, but also turns out to exclude the Jewish people. Four - One who swears off benefitting from a Jew... Can one do business with a Jew after that? Five - Swearing off benefit from "arelim," the "uncircumcised ones" does not include an uncircumcised Jewish person. Plus, how this phrasing differs from promising to get benefit from those who are circumcised. Also, a discussion of the circumcision, including how brit milah takes precedence over Shabbat, and how Moshe did wrong in not circumcising his son (Tziporah did it). Plus, the completion or perfection of circumcision for Abraham.

A whole lot of mishnayot. One: A person who swore off benefit from seafarers. Or land-dwellers. But who's included in these sweeping statements? Two: One who swears off benefit from those who benefit from seeing the sun. But again, who is included here? The wording is specific. Exposed to the sun includes the blind, of course. Three: One who swears off the dark-headed. But whom does that exclude? Four: One who swears off benefit from those who are born. As compared to those who have not yet been born.

More on the consecrated trees... If they're consecrated until they're felled. What does that time stipulation do to the neder? And then they need to be reconsecrated, with ongoing renewal. But that's debate (whether they need to be redeemed). Where does the sanctity go? Plus, the comparison to kiddushin, betrothal, and the sanctity of marriage. Plus, the comparison to korbanot. Also, how stipulations with regard to timing in a neder matter. And again the application to kiddushin. And likewise, with regard to korbanot.

A new mishnah! Taking a vow to protect yourself from thugs who you feel are putting you in danger, and you take a vow to protect yourself. With a machloket between Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai, how far that goes. Plus, the law of the land is the law (assuming that doesn't mean laws made against Judaism). Also, another mishnah! The need to redeem saplings (for example) that have been consecrated - with various parameters. Plus, the vows people take in a time of need - like, the protect the saplings, plus the case of the tallit. Namely, promises made as recompense for getting saved.