How the food is distributed is the key to understanding the conundrum TB Nedarim 83

Today’s daf TB Nedarim 83 presents a conundrum. A woman takes a vow not to benefit from other people, but she’s allowed to take the gifts left for the poor, leket, and shikha, and peah (לֶקֶט, שִׁכְחָה, וּבְפֵאָה). How’s that possible since the gives for the poor come from other people?

“If a woman vowed: The property of other people is konam for me, and for that reason I will not benefit from it, her husband cannot nullify her vow, but nevertheless, if she is poor, she may benefit from the agricultural gifts that must be left for the poor: Gleanings, i.e., isolated stalks that fell during the harvest (leket); forgotten sheaves (shikha); and produce of the corners [pe’a] of the field that the owner is obligated to leave for the poor.” (Sefaria.org translation)

The Ron solves this problem. He explains that the vow is about the distribution of the food and not the food itself. This woman vows not to be involved with the direct provider of the food. When it comes to leket, and shikha, and peah (לֶקֶט, שִׁכְחָה, וּבְפֵאָה), there is no direct distribution. This food is “abandoned;” consequently, she can take for herself the gleanings, the forgotten sheaves, and the produce of the corners without violating her vow.

The rest of the daf and tomorrow’s daf will discuss whether the woman’s husband is under this vow and may not provide for her or excluded in her vow and may provide for her. Stay tuned.