Editing Nedarim

'''Masechet Nedarim''' has 11 chapters and 90 pages. The tractate deals with the laws of vows, husband's nullification of vows, and the release of vows by a sage.

== Explanations of the Tzemach Tzedek ==
'''Extended entry – Neder (Vow)'''

A neder (vow) is when a person prohibits something upon himself and connects it to something else that is forbidden by the Torah, saying that the thing will be forbidden to him like a korban (sacrifice).

Although the prohibition takes effect through connecting it to a korban, the Tzemach Tzedek explains that there is a difference between the sanctity of a korban and the prohibition of a neder. While the sanctity of a korban descends from heaven when a person consecrates an animal as a sacrifice, the prohibition of a neder is different as it comes as a result of the letters of his speech, which have the power to prohibit upon himself something that is permitted.

When a person claims that something is forbidden to him for a specific reason, for example - a person who claims his wife was unfaithful with another man, although he is not believed to cause her to lose her ketubah, he is believed to prohibit her to himself. There are opinions that say this is based on the law of nedarim.

=== Additional Explanations ===
The Tzemach Tzedek's explanations on this tractate are on the first chapter, fourth chapter, fifth chapter, and ninth chapter.

== Explanations of the Rebbe ==
On page 8 of the tractate, the laws of nidui (excommunication) are explained. Among them is mentioned the law that one who mentions Hashem's name in vain shall be placed in nidui, and likewise one who hears this must place him in nidui, and if not, he himself will be in nidui.

The meaning of nidui is distancing a person, and therefore there is an opinion that one who says "I am in nidui to you" accepts upon himself not to benefit and to be excluded from the possessions of the one he is avoiding. Rabbi Akiva tends to be strict about this, since the root of the word nidui indicates distancing, and therefore a neder is also related to this language, when a person accepts upon himself to be distanced and separated from the possessions of the other and not to benefit from his possessions.

=== Nezifah (Rebuke) ===
'''Extended entry – Nezifah'''

The Rebbe explains that there are three types of distancing for a person:

# '''Cherem''', which as known is not mentioned by this name but by the name Ram"ach, which indicates its severity. Nevertheless, it says in Masechet Sanhedrin, "You are troubled in this world but you are not troubled in the world to come," which is less severe than karet (spiritual excision).
# '''Nidui''' is less severe than cherem, but still requires distancing from people.
# '''Nezifah''', which does not even require distancing.

=== Additional Explanations ===

* '''Masechet Nedarim.''' The concept of Nedarim. Torat Menachem 5711 vol. 2 p. 222 (p. 243)
* '''40a.''' Immersion in a spring.
* '''62a.''' "And you shall sanctify him," for all matters of holiness, to open first and to bless first. Likkutei Sichot vol. 18 p. 206 (p. 215)