טבא חדא פלפלתא חריפתא ממלי צני קרי

MISHNAH. [The laws of] permitting [i.e. dissolving] vows are flying in the air, and there is nothing they can lean on.

GEMARA. R. Eliezer says, [Laws of permitting vows] have something to lean on! For it is said, (Leviticus 27:2) "When he shall make a separating vow," (Numbers 6:2) "When he shall make a separating vow," twice. One is a separation to forbid, and one is to permit. R. Yehoshua says, [Laws of permitting vows] have something to lean on! For it is said, (Psalms 95:11) "Which I swore in My wrath." In my wrath I swore, and [after I "calmed down"] I relented. [Implying He swore in wrath, and regretted it and undid the vow.] R. Yitzchak says, [Laws of permitting vows] have something to lean on! For it is said, (Exodus 35:5) "Whoever is of a willing heart." [Implying if he becomes unwilling, he may undo his vow]. Chananiah, nephew of R. Yehoshua, says, [Laws of permitting vows] have something to lean on! For it is said, (Psalms 119:106) "I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules." [Implying had He not upheld it, He could have undid the vow.] R. Yehudah said in the name of R. Shmuel, If I had been there, I would have said to them, Mine is much better than yours, for it is said, (Numbers 30:3) "He shall not break his word." He cannot break it, but others can break it for him." Rava said, There is an objection to all of them except Shmuel's, which has no objection to it. For if [the source for permitting vows is] R. Eliezer's, perhaps the [verse are to be read] like that of R. Yehudah, who said in the name of R. Tarfon, For it was taught in a Baraita, R. Yehudah says in the name of R. Tarfon, [In a case where two people make a bet where the loser must become a Nazir] really neither of them is a Nazirite, for the state of a Nazirite is only given to one who makes a separating vow [clearly, without conditions. And he interprets the repititious verses thusly]. If [the source for permitting vows is] R. Yehoshua's, perhaps the meaning is this, "I swore in my wrath," and I will not relent [even when I "calm down." Thus, this is not a proof for the permitting of vows]. If [the source for permitting vows is] R. Yitzchak's, perhaps [that verse is] to exclude that of Shmuel, for Shmuel said, One who decides in his heart, he must utter it with his lips. And [this verse] is coming to teach us that even if he had not uttered it with his lips [it would take effect. This this is not a proof for the permitting of vows.]. If [the source for permitting vows is] Chananiah, nephew of R. Yehoshua, perhaps it is as R. Gidel said in the name of Rav. For R. Gidel said in the name of Rav, What is the source that it is a mitzvah to fulfill an oath? As it is said, (Psalms 119:106) "I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules." [Thus this is not a source for permitting vows.] But Shmuel's [source] has no [opening for] objection. Rava, and some say R. Nachman bar Yitzchak said, This is what people say, Better is one grain of pepper than a basket full of dates.