Study Nazir folio 5B with parallel Hebrew-English text, traditional commentary, and modern study tools. Free access to Babylonian Talmud online.
Text Excerpt
ובר פדא אמר לך: ליכא חד מינהון דלאו לדרשא? אלא מדההוא למניינא, כולהו נמי למניינא.
And bar Padda could have said to you that although some of these verses are required for an exposition, is there not at least one of them that is not used for an exposition? Rather, since that usage of the term nazirite is stated to indicate the number of days in an unspecified term of naziriteship, all of the other usages of the term are also stated to indicate the number of days in an unspecified term of naziriteship in addition to the specific halakhot that are derived from them.
תנן: סתם נזירות שלשים יום. בשלמא לרב מתנא — ניחא, אלא לבר פדא — קשיא!
The Talmud analyzes the opinions of Rav Mattana and bar Padda in light of the Mishnah and relevant baraitot. We learned in the Mishnah: An unspecified naziriteship lasts for 30 days. Granted, according to Rav Mattana it works out well. However, according to bar Padda it is difficult, since in his opinion the Mishnah should have stated that an unspecified naziriteship lasts for 29 days.
אמר לך בר פדא: איידי דאיכא יום תלתין דמגלח ומביא קרבנותיו, משום הכי תנא שלשים.
The Talmud answers: Bar Padda could have said to you: The principal days of naziriteship are 29 days. However, since there is the 30th day, when the nazirite shaves his hair and brings his offerings, and the prohibitions of naziriteship remain in effect on that day until he has brought these offerings, due to that reason the tanna teaches that an unspecified naziriteship lasts for 30 days.
תנן: מי שאמר ״הריני נזיר״ — מגלח יום שלשים ואחד. בשלמא לרב מתנא ניחא, אלא לבר פדא קשיא!
The Talmud asks: We learned in a Mishnah (16a): One who said: I am hereby a nazirite, shaves his hair on the 31st day. Granted, according to Rav Mattana this works out well, since one must finish his term of naziriteship, which lasts for 30 days, before he can shave his hair. However, according to bar Padda, it is difficult. Why doesn’t he shave his hair on the 30th day?