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OK, now.
The rest of the perek deals with two more categories of neder formulations that are short the classical , full articulation but which are sufficiently "in the ballpark" to produce binding results. (There's one more of those many baseball idioms that we just take for granted!)
Mishna 2 deals with what are known as "kinuyim", a term best translated as "bastardizations/dialectical variations", words that have colloquially come to be used in the place of the word "korban". Other applications of the "kinuyim" idea are included in this Mishna as well.
Mishna 3 deals with the category of "synonyms", i.e. words that suggest the same meaning as "korban", without being the word itself. All kinds of object words that are related to the worship in the Beit HaMikdash qualify. Interestingly, Rabbi Yehudah draws the line at "Yerushalayim" which could have connotations beyond the strictly ritual/cultic.
Mishna 4 (as most interpret it) explores whether the prefix "כ" / "as" is crucial in the formulation of "as a korban" (and its variants). It also concludes with the important principle that in order to be a valid, binding formulation, a neder needs to refer to an object (even a body part) rather than to an action. Actions can only be prohibited through a "shevuah", a kind of oath that is in a league (and a tractate) of its own.
Our study of Nedarim is a great opportunity to think about how we use language, hoe we convey meaning, and the seriousness with which our words are heard.
As a reminder, please save the date for our next Zoom shiur, with Rabbi Shlomo Weissman the administrator of the Beth Din of America, on March 17th. Save the date!
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