Difference between revisions of "Shas:Oaths – Positive Commandment or Objectionable Necessity/2/en"

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<point><b>"וּבִשְׁמוֹ תִּשָּׁבֵעַ"</b> – The Rambam understands these words to be a commandment to swear oaths in the name of Hashem, whenever it is necessary to make a declaration or statement.</point>
 
<point><b>"וּבִשְׁמוֹ תִּשָּׁבֵעַ"</b> – The Rambam understands these words to be a commandment to swear oaths in the name of Hashem, whenever it is necessary to make a declaration or statement.</point>
 
<point><b>Differences between types of oaths</b> – The Rambam in Sefer HaMitzvot does not differentiate between different oaths, viewing them all as a fulfillment of the commandment.<fn>In <a href="RambamHilkhotShevuot11-1-3" data-aht="source">Hilkhot Shevuot 11:1</a>, however, the Rambam seems to limit the commandment to cases when the oath was required by the court (שבועת הדיינים). Since the Rambam does not distinguish elsewhere in this matter between oaths required by the court and personal oaths (שבועת ביטוי), it is possible he is only giving an example, and not limiting the breadth of this commandment.</fn></point>
 
<point><b>Differences between types of oaths</b> – The Rambam in Sefer HaMitzvot does not differentiate between different oaths, viewing them all as a fulfillment of the commandment.<fn>In <a href="RambamHilkhotShevuot11-1-3" data-aht="source">Hilkhot Shevuot 11:1</a>, however, the Rambam seems to limit the commandment to cases when the oath was required by the court (שבועת הדיינים). Since the Rambam does not distinguish elsewhere in this matter between oaths required by the court and personal oaths (שבועת ביטוי), it is possible he is only giving an example, and not limiting the breadth of this commandment.</fn></point>
<point><b>Swearing without a name</b> – According to the Rambam, the whole point of the commandment is to swear by Hashem's name, in order to glorify His name. Therefore, any oath taken without mentioning Hashem's name is invalid and meaningless.</point>
 
 
<point><b>Understanding Temurah 3b</b> – According to the Rambam, the prior understanding of the Bavli was that oaths are proscribed, and that even when one swears an oath in court to avoid monetary loss, one receives lashes. However, the Bavli dismisses this understanding, and learns from one appearance of "וּבִשְׁמוֹ תִּשָּׁבֵעַ" that one is commanded to swear oaths, and from the other appearance that one may swear oaths to fulfill other commandments of the Torah.</point>
 
<point><b>Understanding Temurah 3b</b> – According to the Rambam, the prior understanding of the Bavli was that oaths are proscribed, and that even when one swears an oath in court to avoid monetary loss, one receives lashes. However, the Bavli dismisses this understanding, and learns from one appearance of "וּבִשְׁמוֹ תִּשָּׁבֵעַ" that one is commanded to swear oaths, and from the other appearance that one may swear oaths to fulfill other commandments of the Torah.</point>
<point><b>Threatening the oath taker</b> – According to this approach, the threats given to a man about to swear in court are similar to those leveled against would-be witnesses: the threats apply solely to the possibility the oath-taker is lying, and if he is telling the truth then he need not concern himself, and is even fulfilling a commandment.<fn>See <a href="RadbazHilkhotShevuot11-1" data-aht="source">Radbaz</a>, who maintains that the Rambam's positioning of the details of the commandment right before he details the laws of oaths required by the court is an attempt to reassure the true oath-taker that he need not worry. See also <a href="RanRifShevuot18b" data-aht="source">Ran</a>, who has a variant version of the Bavli's analysis of the threats, which makes clear that they only apply to one swearing falsehood ("האי דקא משתבע בשקרא"), and not any oath-taker.</fn></point>
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<point><b>Threatening the oath taker</b> – According to this approach, when a man is required to swear in court he is threatened in order that he refrain from swearing falsehood, not that he refrain from swearing at all. Like the threats against would-be witnesses, the threats apply only if the oath-taker lies, but if he tells the truth he is fulfills a positive commandment.<fn>See <a href="RadbazHilkhotShevuot11-1" data-aht="source">Radbaz</a>, who maintains that the Rambam's positioning of the details of the commandment right before he details the laws of oaths required by the court is an attempt to reassure the true oath-taker that he need not worry. See also <a href="RanRifShevuot18b" data-aht="source">Ran</a>, who has a variant version of the Bavli's analysis of the threats, which makes clear that they only apply to one swearing falsehood ("האי דקא משתבע בשקרא"), and not any oath-taker.</fn></point>
 
<point><b>Metaphysical meaning of oath-taking</b> – The Rambam views oath-taking as a form of worship and glorification of Hashem.</point>
 
<point><b>Metaphysical meaning of oath-taking</b> – The Rambam views oath-taking as a form of worship and glorification of Hashem.</point>
 
</category>
 
</category>
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<li>According to Semak, the commandment is not a requirement to swear oaths, but rather that if one swears an oath, one must make the oath a true one.</li>
 
<li>According to Semak, the commandment is not a requirement to swear oaths, but rather that if one swears an oath, one must make the oath a true one.</li>
 
</ul></point>
 
</ul></point>
<point><b>Differences between types of oaths</b></point>
+
<point><b>Understanding Temurah 3b</b> – According to Ramban, the prior understanding of the Bavli was that oaths are proscribed, except when one swears an oath in court. However, the Bavli dismisses this understanding, and learns from one appearance of "וּבִשְׁמוֹ תִּשָּׁבֵעַ" that one is permitted to swear even oaths not required by court, and from "וּבוֹ תִדְבָּק" that one may swear oaths to fulfill other commandments of the Torah.<fn>Ramban understands the second citation in the Bavli, of "ובו תדבק ובשמו תשבע", as centering on the words "ובו תדבק", not "ובשמו תשבע". This leaves Ramban with an extra "וּבִשְׁמוֹ תִּשָּׁבֵעַ", from which he learns the prohibition to swear in the name of foreign gods.</fn></point>
<point><b>Swearing without a name</b></point>
+
<point><b>Threatening the oath taker</b> – According to this approach, when a man is required to swear in court he is threatened in order that he refrain from swearing falsehood, not that he refrain from swearing at all.</point>
<point><b>Understanding Temurah 3b</b></point>
 
<point><b>Threatening the oath taker</b></point>
 
 
<point><b>Metaphysical meaning of oath-taking</b> – This view does not attach any special meaning to the swearing of a true oath.</point>
 
<point><b>Metaphysical meaning of oath-taking</b> – This view does not attach any special meaning to the swearing of a true oath.</point>
 
</category>
 
</category>
 
<category>Objectionable Necessity
 
<category>Objectionable Necessity
 
<p>Swearing any oath, even a true one, has negative consequences, and should be avoided at all costs.</p>
 
<p>Swearing any oath, even a true one, has negative consequences, and should be avoided at all costs.</p>
<mekorot><multilink><a href="BemidbarRabbah22-1" data-aht="source">Bemidbar Rabbah</a><a href="BemidbarRabbah22-1" data-aht="source">22:1</a><a href="Bemidbar Rabbah" data-aht="parshan">About Bemidbar Rabbah</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="SeferChasidim418-419" data-aht="source">R. Yehuda HeChasid</a><a href="SeferChasidim418-419" data-aht="source">Sefer Chasidim 418-419</a><a href="SeferChasidimParma1405" data-aht="source">Sefer Chasidim (Parma) 1405</a><a href="R. Yehuda HeChasid" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yehuda HeChasid</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RokeachHilkhotTeshuva25" data-aht="source">R. Elazar HaRokeach</a><a href="RokeachHilkhotTeshuva25" data-aht="source">Hilkhot Teshuva 25</a><a href="R. Elazar HaRokeach" data-aht="parshan">About R. Elazar HaRokeach</a></multilink></mekorot>
+
<mekorot><multilink><a href="YerushalmiShevuot6-5" data-aht="source">Yerushalmi</a><a href="YerushalmiShevuot6-5" data-aht="source">Shevuot 6:5</a><a href="Talmud Yerushalmi" data-aht="parshan">About the Yerushalmi</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="BemidbarRabbah22-1" data-aht="source">Bemidbar Rabbah</a><a href="BemidbarRabbah22-1" data-aht="source">22:1</a><a href="Bemidbar Rabbah" data-aht="parshan">About Bemidbar Rabbah</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="SeferChasidim418-419" data-aht="source">R. Yehuda HeChasid</a><a href="SeferChasidim418-419" data-aht="source">Sefer Chasidim 418-419</a><a href="SeferChasidimParma1405" data-aht="source">Sefer Chasidim (Parma) 1405</a><a href="R. Yehuda HeChasid" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yehuda HeChasid</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RokeachHilkhotTeshuva25" data-aht="source">R. Elazar HaRokeach</a><a href="RokeachHilkhotTeshuva25" data-aht="source">Hilkhot Teshuva 25</a><a href="R. Elazar HaRokeach" data-aht="parshan">About R. Elazar HaRokeach</a></multilink></mekorot>
<point><b>"וּבִשְׁמוֹ תִּשָּׁבֵעַ"</b></point>
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<point><b>"וּבִשְׁמוֹ תִּשָּׁבֵעַ"</b> – According to Bemidbar Rabbah, "וּבִשְׁמוֹ תִּשָּׁבֵעַ" is not a requirement, but rather permission. If one fulfills all of the conditions mentioned earlier in the verses (fearing Hashem, worshiping Him, and adhering to Him), then (and only then) is one permitted to take oaths in his name.</point>
<point><b>Differences between types of oaths</b></point>
+
<point><b>Understanding Temurah 3b</b> – According to this approach, the prior understanding of the Bavli was that swearing oaths is punishable by lashes, and the final understanding is that one learns from one appearance of "וּבִשְׁמוֹ תִּשָּׁבֵעַ" that one is permitted to swear oaths, and from the other appearance that one may swear oaths to fulfill other commandments of the Torah. The fact that a punishment for any swearing of oaths was conceivable by the Bavli (even if this idea was later rejected), supports this approach's negative view of oaths.</point>
<point><b>Swearing without a name</b></point>
 
<point><b>Understanding Temurah 3b</b></point>
 
 
<point><b>Threatening the oath taker</b> – This approach views the threats against the oath-taker in court as a means to avoid any swearing at all, and the consequences mentioned in the threats apply even to a true oath-taker.</point>
 
<point><b>Threatening the oath taker</b> – This approach views the threats against the oath-taker in court as a means to avoid any swearing at all, and the consequences mentioned in the threats apply even to a true oath-taker.</point>
 
<point><b>Metaphysical meaning of oath-taking</b> – According to the Rokeach, swearing any oath, even a true one, is tantamount to defiling Hashem.</point>
 
<point><b>Metaphysical meaning of oath-taking</b> – According to the Rokeach, swearing any oath, even a true one, is tantamount to defiling Hashem.</point>

Version as of 07:47, 19 August 2018

Shas:Oaths – Positive Commandment or Objectionable Necessity?

Exegetical Approaches

This topic has not yet undergone editorial review

Positive Commandment

Swearing a true oath is a positive action, which fulfills a positive commandment and glorifies Hashem's name.

"וּבִשְׁמוֹ תִּשָּׁבֵעַ" – The Rambam understands these words to be a commandment to swear oaths in the name of Hashem, whenever it is necessary to make a declaration or statement.
Differences between types of oaths – The Rambam in Sefer HaMitzvot does not differentiate between different oaths, viewing them all as a fulfillment of the commandment.1
Understanding Temurah 3b – According to the Rambam, the prior understanding of the Bavli was that oaths are proscribed, and that even when one swears an oath in court to avoid monetary loss, one receives lashes. However, the Bavli dismisses this understanding, and learns from one appearance of "וּבִשְׁמוֹ תִּשָּׁבֵעַ" that one is commanded to swear oaths, and from the other appearance that one may swear oaths to fulfill other commandments of the Torah.
Threatening the oath taker – According to this approach, when a man is required to swear in court he is threatened in order that he refrain from swearing falsehood, not that he refrain from swearing at all. Like the threats against would-be witnesses, the threats apply only if the oath-taker lies, but if he tells the truth he is fulfills a positive commandment.2
Metaphysical meaning of oath-taking – The Rambam views oath-taking as a form of worship and glorification of Hashem.

Neutral Law

Swearing a true oath is permissible, but does not contain any inherit virtue.

"וּבִשְׁמוֹ תִּשָּׁבֵעַ" – According to this option, one may understand the commandment of "וּבִשְׁמוֹ תִּשָּׁבֵעַ" in a number of ways:
  • According to Raavad and Ramban, the commandment is the positive complement to the prohibition to swear by the names of foreign gods. If one swears, one must swear by the name of Hashem, and not any other god.
  • According to Semag, the commandment is only a technical requirement of certain oaths. If one is required to swear in court, one must do so by the name of Hashem.
  • According to Semak, the commandment is not a requirement to swear oaths, but rather that if one swears an oath, one must make the oath a true one.
Understanding Temurah 3b – According to Ramban, the prior understanding of the Bavli was that oaths are proscribed, except when one swears an oath in court. However, the Bavli dismisses this understanding, and learns from one appearance of "וּבִשְׁמוֹ תִּשָּׁבֵעַ" that one is permitted to swear even oaths not required by court, and from "וּבוֹ תִדְבָּק" that one may swear oaths to fulfill other commandments of the Torah.4
Threatening the oath taker – According to this approach, when a man is required to swear in court he is threatened in order that he refrain from swearing falsehood, not that he refrain from swearing at all.
Metaphysical meaning of oath-taking – This view does not attach any special meaning to the swearing of a true oath.

Objectionable Necessity

Swearing any oath, even a true one, has negative consequences, and should be avoided at all costs.

"וּבִשְׁמוֹ תִּשָּׁבֵעַ" – According to Bemidbar Rabbah, "וּבִשְׁמוֹ תִּשָּׁבֵעַ" is not a requirement, but rather permission. If one fulfills all of the conditions mentioned earlier in the verses (fearing Hashem, worshiping Him, and adhering to Him), then (and only then) is one permitted to take oaths in his name.
Understanding Temurah 3b – According to this approach, the prior understanding of the Bavli was that swearing oaths is punishable by lashes, and the final understanding is that one learns from one appearance of "וּבִשְׁמוֹ תִּשָּׁבֵעַ" that one is permitted to swear oaths, and from the other appearance that one may swear oaths to fulfill other commandments of the Torah. The fact that a punishment for any swearing of oaths was conceivable by the Bavli (even if this idea was later rejected), supports this approach's negative view of oaths.
Threatening the oath taker – This approach views the threats against the oath-taker in court as a means to avoid any swearing at all, and the consequences mentioned in the threats apply even to a true oath-taker.
Metaphysical meaning of oath-taking – According to the Rokeach, swearing any oath, even a true one, is tantamount to defiling Hashem.