daf bit: Nazir 21

[cellio]

The mishna discusses cascading vows: if a man says "I intend to be a nazarite" and his companion hears this and says "me too", the second is also bound. If the first man is then released from his vow, the second man is also released. (If the second is released, the first is not.) Now, if a third man hears and also says "me too", is he bound to the second or to the first? If he is bound to the second, then if the second is released he is too; if not, not. Does each subsequent person link up with his immediate predecessor, or do all link to the first? The gemara argues that if each links with his predecessor the chain can continue indefinitely, but if all link to the first man, the whole enterprise is limited to those who heard him and responded immediately. The gemara argues both sides but seems to favor the indefinite cascade in the end. (20b-21a)

This interpretation seems to allow for more people to be bound in the first place, but also makes it easier for more of them to be released. If #2 is released then all who follow him will be even though #1 is not; if each is bound to #1, then the rest are only released as a group if he is.

(Elsewhere the gemara limits the time people have to say "me too", which has the practical effect of keeping the number down.)

Comments

[caryabend.livejournal.com]

And this is why I was not popular on usenet reply chains. :)