Nedarim 60

Hook

Ever made a promise that felt a little… fuzzy around the edges? Maybe you vowed to cut back on something, but then wondered, "Does 'cutting back' mean never again, or just for a little while?" Or perhaps you’ve heard folks talk about vows and promises in Jewish tradition and thought, "Wow, that sounds complicated!" Well, you're not alone! Sometimes, the way we express our intentions can be a bit like trying to nail jelly to a wall – we know what we mean, but the exact boundaries can be tricky. Today, we’re going to dive into a fascinating discussion from the Talmud that tackles this very thing, helping us understand how Jewish law clarifies the timing and scope of our commitments, even when they involve something as enjoyable as wine! It’s all about understanding the nuances, so hang on to your hats (or kippot!), because we’re about to unravel some ancient wisdom that’s surprisingly practical.

Context

Let's set the scene for this chat from the Talmud:

• Who: This discussion involves Rabbis and Sages of ancient times who were deeply involved in understanding Jewish law and its practical application. Think of them as brilliant legal scholars and ethicists.
• When: This text comes from the Gemara, the commentary on the Mishnah. The Mishnah was compiled around 200 CE, and the Gemara was developed over the next few centuries. So, this is ancient, but the ideas are still super relevant!
• Where: This originates from Babylonian Jewish communities, a vibrant center of Jewish learning at the time.
• One Key Term:
  • Vow (Neder): A solemn promise to God to abstain from something or to do something. In this text, it's about abstaining.

The Mishnah's Starting Point

The part of the text we’re focusing on today begins with a Mishnah (a foundational legal text) that lays out some scenarios about vowing not to drink wine. It’s essentially trying to define the duration of these vows. For example, if you say wine is forbidden to you "today," what does that really mean? Does it last until sunset, or for a full 24 hours? What if you say "this week"? The Mishnah gives us specific answers to these questions, and the Gemara then dives in to explore the reasoning and finer points.

A Quick Look at the "Growths" Section

Before we get to the wine vows, the text briefly touches on a related topic about "growths" of terumah (produce set aside for Kohanim, priests). Don't worry too much about the technicalities here; the main idea is that there's a discussion about whether things that grow from designated sacred produce inherit its sacredness or become neutral. The key takeaway for us is that there are layers to these concepts, and sometimes what seems straightforward has deeper implications, much like our vows.

Text Snapshot

Here’s a snippet of what the Sages are discussing, focusing on how long a vow to abstain from wine lasts:

"If one vows: Wine is forbidden to me as if it were an offering [konam], and for that reason I will not taste it today, he is prohibited from drinking wine only until nightfall..."

"If one vows not to drink wine this week, he is prohibited from drinking wine for the entire remainder of the week. And as Shabbat is considered part of the week that passed, i.e., it is the end of the week, he is prohibited from drinking wine on the upcoming Shabbat."

"All this applies if he said that he would not drink wine on this day or this week, but if he said that wine is forbidden to him for one day, or one week... he is prohibited from drinking wine from the day and time he took the vow to the same time the next day, or week, etc."

(Based on Nedarim 60a-b, Sefaria.org)

Close Reading

This section of the Talmud is like a masterclass in careful language and intention. Let's break down a couple of really useful insights:

### The "Today" vs. "One Day" Distinction

This is where things get really interesting! The Mishnah says if you vow not to drink wine "today," it only lasts until nightfall. That's a pretty short time, right? But if you vow not to drink wine for "one day," it lasts for a full 24 hours (until the same time the next day). Why the difference?

The Gemara explains that the Sages were worried about confusion. If someone says "today" and it expires at nightfall, someone else might hear that and think that a vow for "one day" also expires at nightfall, even though the intention for "one day" was for a full 24-hour period. So, they created a distinction: "today" is specific to the current calendar day ending at nightfall, while "one day" is a duration of 24 hours.

What this means for us: It highlights how crucial precise wording is, not just in religious vows, but in any commitment. Even small differences in how we phrase our intentions can change the entire meaning and duration. It shows that the Sages were thinking about how people actually communicate and how misunderstandings can arise. They weren't just making abstract rules; they were trying to create clarity in everyday life. It’s a reminder that when we make a promise, the clearer we are, the better.

### The "This Week" vs. "One Week" Distinction and Including Shabbat

Another fascinating point is how the Sages define the scope of time. If you say "this week," the Mishnah teaches it includes Shabbat. This might seem obvious to us, but the Gemara explains why they had to teach it. They were concerned that someone might think "this week" only referred to the weekdays (Sunday through Friday) and not the Sabbath.

The text clarifies that "this week" encompasses the entire seven-day period, including Shabbat. However, when you say "one week," it's understood as a full 24-hour period for seven consecutive days, meaning it would end at the same time of day seven days later. This subtle difference is important. The phrase "this week" ties the vow to the calendar week, which has a specific structure including Shabbat. "One week" is more about a measured duration.

What this means for us: This teaches us about the importance of context and convention. When we use terms like "this week," we're often referring to a shared understanding of what that period entails. In Jewish tradition, the week has a distinct rhythm with Shabbat as its culmination. The Sages wanted to ensure that vows respected this structure. It’s a lesson in how our language is shaped by the calendars and cycles we live by. When we make commitments related to time periods, it's helpful to consider if we're referring to a specific, culturally defined period (like "this week" including Shabbat) or a more abstract duration.

### The "New Moon" and "Rosh HaShanah" Clarifications

The text also touches on how vows extend to the beginning of new calendar periods like the New Moon (the start of a new month) and Rosh HaShanah (the start of a new year). For example, if you vow not to drink wine "this month," and you say it before the New Moon, the vow extends until the New Moon begins, because the New Moon is considered the start of the next month. Similarly, with "this year," Rosh HaShanah is considered part of the upcoming year, so the vow ends before it.

What this means for us: This shows how Jewish tradition views the transition between calendar periods. There's a clear demarcation. When a vow is made for a specific period, it ends before the start of the next designated period. This helps prevent ambiguity about where one period ends and the next begins. It’s a practical application of how Jewish time is structured, and it helps us understand the boundaries of our commitments. It encourages us to be mindful of these transitions in our own lives and how they might affect our promises.

Apply It

This week, let's practice clarity in our commitments. For one small, everyday promise you make to yourself or someone else (e.g., "I'll drink more water today," or "I'll call my friend back this afternoon"), take 30 seconds to pause and think:

1. What exactly do I mean by this? (Is it until a specific time, or a general intention?)
2. How can I make this super clear? (Could I add a specific time, or be more precise about the action?)

Just this tiny bit of mindful phrasing each day can help make our intentions more solid and our commitments more achievable.

Chevruta Mini

Grab a friend, a family member, or even just talk to yourself in the mirror (we won't judge!). Discuss these questions:

1. Have you ever made a promise and later realized the other person understood it differently? What happened, and how did you resolve it?
2. Thinking about the "today" vs. "one day" distinction, how does precise language help us build trust in our relationships?

Takeaway

Clarity in our commitments, even the small ones, helps us live with greater integrity.