Shevuot 22: How Much is Too Much; Eating and Drinking

Our daf begins with a discussion regarding offerings for transgressions of speech.  Our last Mishna taught that one who curses the name of G-d should bring an offering.  Does this refer to all people or just a nazirite?  Nazirite prohibitions come through speech and are punished via offerings.  The rabbis wonder whether "tasting" is the same as eating.  

Are broken konamot (type of oath) punished in the same way as shevuot?  The rabbis consider the amount that might be eaten when one transgresses one's konamei compared with that consumed for transgressions of shevuot.  They have a long conversation about whether or not these transgressions could 'pair up' - two small konamot that are broken could equal an amount that would be punishable by bringing an offering.  The rabbis are clear that no one should benefit from konamot.

What if a person says that s/he won't eat and then s/he eats dirt?  What if that person says that s/he won't eat dirt and then s/he eats dirt?  What about food that is forbidden - insects, for example?  What is a 'proper' food to eat?  The Gemara hosts many questions with multiple clarifications and examples - but very few answers.

We are introduced to a new Mishna: If a person swears, "I will not eat" and then s/he eats and drinks, s/he is liable only once.  The punishment is lashes if one was warned and bringing an offering if one forgot.  

• s/he is liable twice is s/he says "I will not eat and I will not drink"
• s/he is liable only once if s/he says, "I will not eat" and s/he eats three types of bread
• if s/he says "I will not eat wheat, barley or spelt bread" and s/he eats all three, s/he is liable for each
• if s/he swore "I will not drink" and he drank many beverages, s/he is liable only once
• If s/he swore "I will not drink wine, oil or honey" and s/he drank all three, x/he is liable for each
• If s/he swore "I will not eat" and s/he ate things that are unfit to eat or drank liquids unfit to drink, s/he is exempt
• If s/he swore "I will not eat" and s/he ate something forbidden, s/he is liable except by Rabbi Shimon
• If one swore "I may not benefit from my wife if I ate today" and then he ate insects, etc., she is forbidden to him

At the very end of our daf, the Gemara begins with questions about eating and drinking: are they the same thing?  "Tasting" usually refers to both eating and drinking, the rabbis reason.  Tomorrow's daf will begin with a verse offering a proof text.