Today's Mishnah Yomi
Shevuos 3:8 - 3:9
The Mishnah Yomi for Wednesday, February 19, 2025 is Shevuos 3:8 - 3:9
Mishnah 1
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Mishnayos Shevuos Perek 3 Mishnah 8
שבועות פרק ג׳ משנה ח׳
Which oath is an oath taken in vain, mentioned in the previous mishna (27b)? It is when one takes an oath to deny that which is known to people to be true, for example, one says about a stone column that it is made of gold, or about a man that he is a woman, or about a woman that she is a man. Another type of oath taken in vain is when one takes an oath about a matter that is impossible, e.g., if he says: If I did not see a camel flying through the air, or: If I did not see a snake as large as the beam of the olive press. In the case of one who said to witnesses: Come and testify for me, and they replied: On our oath we will not testify for you, that is an oath taken in vain, because it involves taking an oath to refrain from performing a mitzva. Other examples of this include an oath not to build a sukka, or not to take a lulav, or not to don phylacteries. This type of oath is an oath taken in vain, for which one is liable to receive lashes if he takes the oath intentionally, and for which he is exempt if he takes it unwittingly.
אֵיזוֹ הִיא שְׁבוּעַת שָׁוְא, נִשְׁבַּע לְשַׁנּוֹת אֶת הַיָּדוּעַ לָאָדָם, אָמַר עַל הָעַמּוּד שֶׁל אֶבֶן שֶׁהוּא שֶׁל זָהָב, וְעַל הָאִישׁ שֶׁהוּא אִשָּׁה, וְעַל הָאִשָּׁה שֶׁהִיא אִישׁ. נִשְׁבַּע עַל דָּבָר שֶׁאִי אֶפְשָׁר, אִם לֹא רָאִיתִי גָמָל שֶׁפּוֹרֵחַ בָּאֲוִיר, וְאִם לֹא רָאִיתִי נָחָשׁ כְּקוֹרַת בֵּית הַבַּד. אָמַר לְעֵדִים בֹּאוּ וַהֲעִידוּנִי, שְׁבוּעָה שֶׁלֹּא נְעִידֶךָ. נִשְׁבַּע לְבַטֵּל אֶת הַמִּצְוָה, שֶׁלֹּא לַעֲשׂוֹת סֻכָּה, וְשֶׁלֹּא לִטֹּל לוּלָב, וְשֶׁלֹּא לְהָנִיחַ תְּפִלִּין, זוֹ הִיא שְׁבוּעַת שָׁוְא, שֶׁחַיָּבִין עַל זְדוֹנָהּ מַכּוֹת וְעַל שִׁגְגָתָהּ פָּטוּר:
Bartenura
אם לא ראיתי גמל פורח באויר. כלומר יאסרו כל פירות שבעולם עלי אם לא ראיתי וכו׳:
נחש כקורת בית הבד. כתבנית קורת בית הבד וצורתה. דאילו כעובי קורת בית הבד לא הוי שבועת שוא, דאיכא טובא:
שבועה שלא נעידך. ביטול מצוה היא, דהא חייב להעיד שנאמר (ויקרא ה׳:א׳) אם לא יגיד ונשא עונו:
Mishnah 2
Mishnayos Shevuos Perek 3 Mishnah 9
שבועות פרק ג׳ משנה ט׳
If one said: On my oath I will eat this loaf, and later said: On my oath I will not eat it, the first oath is an oath on an utterance, and the second is an oath taken in vain, as he took an oath to perform an action that would violate his previous oath. If he ate it, he violated the prohibition against taking an oath in vain. If he did not eat it, he violated the prohibition against breaking an oath on an utterance.
שְׁבוּעָה שֶׁאֹכַל כִּכָּר זוֹ, שְׁבוּעָה שֶׁלֹּא אֹכֲלֶנָּה, הָרִאשׁוֹנָה שְׁבוּעַת בִּטּוּי וְהַשְּׁנִיָּה שְׁבוּעַת שָׁוְא. אֲכָלָהּ, עָבַר עַל שְׁבוּעַת שָׁוְא. לֹא אֲכָלָהּ, עָבַר עַל שְׁבוּעַת בִּטּוּי:
Bartenura
אכלה עבר על שבועת שוא – this is what he said: if he ate it , he has violated a oath taken in vain alone. If he didn’t eat it, he violated even an oath on a statement/rash oath (i.e., an oath taken by a person to reinforce a promise or an obligation or to confirm the veracity of a story – and is liable to bring a sing-offering). For once he swore that he would eat this loaf, he is obligated to eat it, and when he then took another oath [afterwards] that he would not eat it, he swore to abrogate/nullify the Mitzvah, and is flogged eause of the oath taken in vain, whether he would eat it or whether he would eat it, and if he did not eat it, he would be liable for two [violations], because of an oath taken in vain and because of oath on a statement/rash oath.
אכלה עבר על שבועת שוא. הכי קאמר, אכלה, עבר על שבועת שוא לחודא. לא אכלה, עבר אף אשבועת ביטוי. דמכי נשבע שאוכל ככר זו חייב לאכלה, וכי הדר נשבע שלא יאכלנה הרי נשבע לבטל את המצוה, ולוקה משום שבועת שוא בין יאכל בין לא יאכל, ואי לא אכיל לה חייב שתים, משום שבועת שוא ואף משום שבועת ביטוי:
Mishnah Yomi FAQ
What is Mishnah Yomi?
Mishnah Yomi is a daily study program where participants study two mishnayot (individual teachings from the Mishnah) every day. By following this program, one can complete the entire Mishnah in about six years.
What is the Mishnah?
The Mishnah is the first major written collection of Jewish oral traditions, forming the basis of the Talmud. It dates back to around 200 CE and consists of teachings and discussions of Jewish law by various rabbis.
Who started the Mishnah Yomi program?
In 1934, the Kozoglover Gaon, Rav Aryeh Tzvi Frommer, who took over from Rav Meir Shapiro (the founder of Daf Yomi) as the head of Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin, initiated the Mishnah Yomi cycle, focusing on Seder Zeraim and Seder Taharos. After World War II, in 1947, Rav Yonah Sztencl, a disciple of Rav Frommer, expanded the program, advocating for a comprehensive study of Shishah Sidrei Mishnah. The idea of studying two Mishnayos daily gained the support of figures like Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer, the Tchebiner Rov, and the Gerer Rebbe, marking the formal inception of Mishnah Yomi.
How long does it take to complete the Mishnah with Mishnah Yomi?
Following the Mishnah Yomi program, one can complete the Mishnah in approximately six years.
Can anyone join Mishnah Yomi?
Yes, anyone interested in studying the Mishnah can start the Mishnah Yomi cycle. There’s no need for prior knowledge; beginners are welcome.
Do I need to know Hebrew to study Mishnah Yomi?
While the Mishnah is originally in Hebrew, there are numerous translations and commentaries available in various languages, making it accessible to anyone interested in studying.
Is there a specific time of day to study Mishnah Yomi?
There’s no designated time. Participants can choose a time that best fits their schedule.
Can I study Mishnah Yomi with a group?
Yes, many communities and synagogues organize group study sessions for Mishnah Yomi. Studying in a group can enhance understanding and foster camaraderie.
What if I miss a day?
If you miss a day, you can catch up by studying the missed mishnayot alongside the current day’s study or by dedicating some extra time until you’re back on track.
אם לא ראיתי גמל פורח באויר – meaning to say, they will forbid all produce/fruit that is in the world if I didn’t see, etc. [i.e., a camel flying in the air].
נחש כקורת בית הבד – like the shape of the beam of an olive press and its form. As if like the thickness of the beam of olive press, this would not be an oath taken in vain/false oath, asserting something impossible, where there a lot [of them].
שבועה שלא נדיעך – it is the abrogation/nullification of a commandment, for he is obligated to testify as it states (Leviticus 5;1): “he does not give information – so that he is subject to punishment.”