Nazir 9: An Unusual Vow

Perek II begins with a new Mishna.  We learn that Beit Shammai and Beit Hillel disagree about whether or not a vow of nazirut is valid.  If a person says, "I am a nazirite and I will not consume figs or fig cakes", Beit Shammai say that the vow of nazirut is valid and Beit Hillel say that it is not valid.

The Gemara asks a number of questions.  A nazirite is forbidden from consuming grapes, wine, etc., but figs are not forbidden.  Do we consider the person's intention, which was likely to be a nazirite in this case?  Because the person stated "I am a nazirite" initially, do we consider this person bound by the halachot of nazirut regardless of the error in her/his secondary statement?   Do we consider the vow to abstain from figs to be valid on its own? 

Different rabbis interpret the Mishna differently.  Perhaps Beit Shammai held that this person is not a nazirite while figs are forbidden to him and Beit Hillel believed that no vows were valid at all.  The Gemara continues with a discussion about atypical vows.  Further, the rabbis share their thoughts about other offerings and how they might inform us about how we are to manage atypical consecrations.  This is meant to help us understand how to interpret a statement like the one that begins our daf.  In some cases, words are added to a person's vow to ensure that it makes sense.  In other cases, the intention of the person making the vow is of primary importance.

Again, it is fascinating to note that even our most respected rabbis were able to give themselves permission to interpret difficult passages with both creativity and logic.