Halacha
הלכה א
אַרְבָּעָה מִינֵי שְׁבוּעוֹת הֵן. שְׁבוּעַת בִּטּוּי וּשְׁבוּעַת שָׁוְא וּשְׁבוּעַת הַפִּקָּדוֹן וּשְׁבוּעַת הָעֵדוּת. שְׁבוּעַת בִּטּוּי הוּא שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר בַּתּוֹרָה (ויקרא ה ד) "אוֹ נֶפֶשׁ כִּי תִשָּׁבַע לְבַטֵּא בִשְׂפָתַיִם לְהָרַע אוֹ לְהֵיטִיב". וְהִיא נֶחְלֶקֶת לְאַרְבָּעָה חֲלָקִים. שְׁתַּיִם לְהַבָּא. וּשְׁתַּיִם לְשֶׁעָבַר. כְּגוֹן שֶׁנִּשְׁבַּע עַל דָּבָר שֶׁעָבַר שֶׁנַּעֲשָׂה אוֹ שֶׁלֹּא נַעֲשָׂה. וְעַל דָּבָר שֶׁעָתִיד לִהְיוֹת שֶׁיֵּעָשֶׂה וְשֶׁלֹּא יֵעָשֶׂה:
כסף משנה
1.
There are four types of oaths [for which one may be liable]: sh'vuat bitui, sh'vuat shav, sh'vuat hapikadon, and sh'vuat ha'edut.1The Rambam proceeds to explain these four types of oath in this chapter.Sh'vuat bitui2Bitui literally means "expression." I.e., this oath is taken expressing statements concerning the past or the future. See Chapters 4 and 5 where this subject is discussed in detail. is referred to in the Torah [by Leviticus 5:4]: "When a soul will take an oath, expressing with his lips, whether he will do harm3As evident from Chapter 5, Halachot 16-17, this applies when he takes an oath to harm himself, but not to harm others. or do good." [This category] subdivides into four groupings: two4I.e., one positive and one negative. The concept that a sh'vuat bitui has both these forms is derived from the prooftext cited which states: "Whether he will do harm or do good." See Chapter 9, Halachah 18. [involving statements made] concerning the future and two [involving statements made] concerning the past. For example, he took an oath concerning a past event that it occurred or did not occur, or concerning a future event, that he will do it or that he will not do it.
הלכה ב
וְאֵין שְׁבוּעַת בִּטּוּי נוֹהֶגֶת אֶלָּא בִּדְבָרִים שֶׁאֶפְשָׁר לוֹ לַעֲשׂוֹתָן בֵּין לְהַבָּא בֵּין לְשֶׁעָבַר. כֵּיצַד לְשֶׁעָבַר. שֶׁאָכַלְתִּי. אוֹ שֶׁזָּרַקְתִּי אֶבֶן לַיָּם. אוֹ שֶׁדִּבֵּר פְּלוֹנִי עִם פְּלוֹנִי. אוֹ שֶׁלֹּא אָכַלְתִּי. אוֹ שֶׁלֹּא זָרַק אֶבֶן לַיָּם. אוֹ שֶׁלֹּא דִּבֵּר פְּלוֹנִי עִם פְּלוֹנִי. כֵּיצַד לְהַבָּא. שֶׁאֹכַל אוֹ שֶׁלֹּא אֹכַל. אוֹ שֶׁאֶזְרֹק אוֹ שֶׁלֹּא אֶזְרֹק אֶבֶן לַיָּם. הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ שְׁתַּיִם לְשֶׁעָבַר וּשְׁתַּיִם לְהַבָּא:
כסף משנה
2.
[The concept of] a sh'vuat bitui applies with regard to deeds that a person could perform5But not with regard to something which he cannot perform. As stated in Halachah 7, that is included in the category of an oath taken in vain. whether in the past or in the future.What is implied? With regard to the past: "I ate," "I cast a stone into the sea," or "So-and-so spoke with so-and-so"; "I did not eat," "I did not cast a stone into the sea," or "So-and-so did not speak with so-and-so." With regard to the future: "I will eat" or "I will not eat," "I will..." or "I will not cast a stone into the sea."6An oath he takes concerning the future that involves another person is not included in this category, because he has no way of controlling that person's conduct. See Chapter 5, Halachot 1-2. Thus there are two groupings7One positive and one negative. concerning the past and two groupings concerning the future.
הלכה ג
נִשְׁבַּע אַחַת מֵאַרְבַּע מַחֲלוֹקוֹת אֵלּוּ וְהֶחְלִיף כְּגוֹן שֶׁנִּשְׁבַּע שֶׁלֹּא יֹאכַל וְאָכַל אוֹ שֶׁיֹּאכַל וְלֹא אָכַל אוֹ שֶׁאָכַלְתִּי וְהוּא לֹא אָכַל שֶׁלֹּא אָכַלְתִּי וְאָכַל הֲרֵי זוֹ שְׁבוּעַת שֶׁקֶר. וְעַל זֶה וְכַיּוֹצֵא בּוֹ נֶאֱמַר (ויקרא יט יב) "לֹא תִשָּׁבְעוּ בִשְׁמִי לַשָּׁקֶר". וְאִם נִשְׁבַּע לַשֶּׁקֶר בְּמֵזִיד לוֹקֶה. בְּשׁוֹגֵג מֵבִיא קָרְבַּן עוֹלֶה וְיוֹרֵד שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ויקרא ה ד) "וְנֶעְלַם מִמֶּנּוּ וְהוּא יָדַע וְאָשֵׁם" וְגוֹ':
כסף משנה
3.
If a person takes an oath concerning one of these four categories and does the opposite, he has taken a false oath. For example, he took an oath not to eat and he ate, that he would eat and he did not eat, that he ate, when he did not or that he did not eat, when he had eaten. With regard to these matters, [Leviticus 19:12] states: "Do not swear falsely in My name."8Sefer HaMitzvot (negative commandment 61) and Sefer HaChinuch (mitzvah 227) include this prohibition among the 613 mitzvot of the Torah. If he willfully swears falsely, he is liable for lashes.9This is somewhat of a new concept, because one does not receive lashes for violating a transgression that does not involve a deed and ordinarily, speech is not considered a deed. Nevertheless, taking a false oath is an exception to this principle, for Exodus 20:7 states: "God will not absolve anyone who takes His name in vain." Sh'vuot 21a interprets that to mean that a person who takes an oath in vain is liable for lashes. See also Chapter 4, Halachot 20-21 for more factors concerning this concept. If he does so inadvertently, he must bring an adjustable guilt offering,10In contrast to an ordinary sin-offering, the sacrifice a person liable for such an offering must bring is adjusted according to his financial status as stated in Leviticus, ch. 5. See Chapter 3, Halachot 6-7 for details concerning when one is held liable for such a sacrifice and when he is not. as [ibid. 5:4] states: "And it became concealed from him and he did not know and became guilty."הלכה ד
שְׁבוּעַת שָׁוְא נֶחְלֶקֶת לְאַרְבַּע מַחֲלוֹקוֹת. הָאַחַת שֶׁנִּשְׁבַּע עַל דָּבָר הַיָּדוּעַ שֶׁאֵין כֵּן. כֵּיצַד. כְּגוֹן שֶׁנִּשְׁבַּע עַל הָאִישׁ שֶׁהוּא אִשָּׁה. וְעַל הָאִשָּׁה שֶׁהוּא אִישׁ. וְעַל עַמּוּד שֶׁל שַׁיִשׁ שֶׁהוּא שֶׁל זָהָב. וְכֵן כָּל כַּיּוֹצֵא בָּזֶה:
כסף משנה
4.
[The prohibition against taking] a sh'vuat shav, an oath taken in vain,11See Chapter 6 where this subject is discussed in detail. also subdivides into four categories: the first, a person took an oath concerning a known matter12The Ra'avad explains that the term "a known matter" refers to something known to three people. The Radbaz notes that the Rambam mentions this point in Chapter 5, Halachah 22. See Chapter 3, Halachah 5, and notes from which it is evident that here, the person taking the oath is not speaking facetiously. Although it is known that what he is saying is false, he intends that his words be taken at face value. See also Chapter 5, Halachah 21, and notes. that was not true, e.g., he took an oath that a man was a woman, a woman was a man, that a marble pillar was gold, or concerning other similar factors.הלכה ה
הַשְּׁנִיָּה שֶׁנִּשְׁבַּע עַל דָּבָר יָדוּעַ שֶׁאֵין בּוֹ סָפֵק לְאָדָם שֶׁהוּא כֵּן. כְּגוֹן שֶׁנִּשְׁבַּע עַל הַשָּׁמַיִם שֶׁהוּא שָׁמַיִם. וְעַל הָאֶבֶן זוֹ שֶׁהִיא אֶבֶן. וְעַל הַשְּׁנַיִם שֶׁהֵם שְׁנַיִם. וְכֵן כָּל כַּיּוֹצֵא בָּזֶה. שֶׁזֶּה הַדָּבָר אֵין בּוֹ סָפֵק לְאָדָם שָׁלֵם כְּדֵי לְצַדֵּק הַדָּבָר בִּשְׁבוּעָה:
כסף משנה
5.
The second: that one takes an oath on a known matter concerning which no one has a doubt, e.g., one took an oath that the sky was the sky, that a stone is a stone, on two [objects] that they are two, and the like. Even though there is no doubt about the matter for a person of sound mind, one takes an oath to strengthen [the appreciation of] the matter.13Thus since no one else but a fool will have any doubt concerning the matter, there is no need to take an oath. Hence, the oath is considered to have been taken in vain (Radbaz).הלכה ו
שְׁלִישִׁית שֶׁנִּשְׁבַּע לְבַטֵּל אֶת הַמִּצְוָה. כֵּיצַד. כְּגוֹן שֶׁנִּשְׁבַּע שֶׁלֹּא יִתְעַטֵּף בְּצִיצִית. שֶׁלֹּא יִלְבַּשׁ תְּפִלִּין. וְשֶׁלֹּא יֵשֵׁב בַּסֻּכָּה בְּחַג הַסֻּכּוֹת. וְלֹא יֹאכַל מַצָּה בְּלֵילֵי הַפֶּסַח. אוֹ שֶׁיִּתְעַנֶּה בְּשַׁבָּתוֹת וּבְיָמִים טוֹבִים. וְכֵן כָּל כַּיּוֹצֵא בָּזֶה:
כסף משנה
6.
The third is one who takes an oath to nullify a mitzvah.14Since he is obligated to fulfill the mitzvah and the matter is not dependent on his choice or consent, his oath is considered to be in vain. See also Chapter 5, Halachot 14-15. What is implied? One took an oath not to wrap himself in tzitzit,15The Radbaz clarifies that we are not speaking about taking an oath not to wear a tallit, for a person is not obligated to wear a tallit by Scriptural Law (see Hilchot Tzitzit 3:11). Instead, the intent is to take an oath that he will wear a four-cornered garment and not put tzitzit on it. not to put on tefilin, not to dwell in a sukkah throughout the holiday of Sukkot,16See Chapter 5, Halachah 18. not to eat matzah on Pesach night, that he would fast on the Sabbaths and the festivals,17For one must take pleasure in food and drink on these days. It is forbidden to fast (Hilchot Shabbat 30:12; Hilchot Sh'vitat Yom Tov 6:17). or concerning other analogous instances.הלכה ז
רְבִיעִית שֶׁנִּשְׁבַּע עַל דָּבָר שֶׁאֵין כֹּחַ בּוֹ לַעֲשׂוֹת. כֵּיצַד. כְּגוֹן שֶׁנִּשְׁבַּע שֶׁלֹּא יִישַׁן שְׁלֹשָׁה יָמִים לַיְלָה וָיוֹם רְצוּפִים. אוֹ שֶׁלֹּא יִטְעוֹם כְּלוּם שִׁבְעָה יָמִים רְצוּפִים. וְכֵן כָּל כַּיּוֹצֵא בָּזֶה. כָּל הַנִּשְׁבָּע שְׁבוּעַת שָׁוְא מֵאַרְבַּע שְׁבוּעוֹת אֵלּוּ עוֹבֵר בְּלֹא תַּעֲשֶׂה שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמות כ ז) (דברים ה יא) "לֹא תִשָּׂא אֶת שֵׁם ה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ לַשָּׁוְא". וְאִם הָיָה מֵזִיד לוֹקֶה וְאִם הָיָה שׁוֹגֵג פָּטוּר מִכְּלוּם:
כסף משנה
7.
The fourth - that one took an oath concerning a matter that he is unable to perform.18Since he is unable to perform the matter, the oath he took is obviously in vain. What is implied? He took an oath that he would not sleep for three consecutive days and nights,19See Chapter 5, Halachah 20. he would not eat for seven consecutive days or concerning any analogous matter.Whenever a person takes an oath in vain by taking one of these four types of oaths, he transgresses a negative commandment,20Sefer HaMitzvot (negative commandment 62) and Sefer HaChinuch (mitzvah 30) include this prohibition among the 613 mitzvot of the Torah. as [Exodus 20:7] states: "And you shall not take the name of God your Lord in vain." If he [takes the oath] willfully, he is liable for lashes.21See the notes to Halachah 3. If he does so inadvertently, he is exempt entirely.
הלכה ח
שְׁבוּעַת הַפִּקָּדוֹן כֵּיצַד. כָּל מִי שֶׁיֵּשׁ מָמוֹן חֲבֵרוֹ בְּיָדוֹ בֵּין פִּקָּדוֹן בֵּין מִלְוֶה אוֹ שֶׁגְּזָלוֹ אוֹ עֲשָׁקוֹ אוֹ מָצָא לוֹ אֲבֵדָה וְלֹא הֶחֱזִירָהּ וְכַיּוֹצֵא בָּזֶה וְתָבַע מִמֶּנּוּ מָמוֹן שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ בְּיָדוֹ וְכָפַר בּוֹ הֲרֵי זֶה עוֹבֵר בְּלֹא תַּעֲשֶׂה שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ויקרא יט יא) "לֹא תְכַחֲשׁוּ" זוֹ אַזְהָרָה לִכְפִירַת מָמוֹן. וְאֵין לוֹקִין עַל לָאו זֶה. וְאִם נִשְׁבַּע לוֹ עַל שֶׁקֶר עַל מָמוֹן שֶׁכָּפַר בּוֹ הֲרֵי זֶה עוֹבֵר בְּלָאו אַחֵר וְעַל זֶה נֶאֱמַר (ויקרא יט יא) "לֹא תְשַׁקְּרוּ אִישׁ בַּעֲמִיתוֹ" זוֹ אַזְהָרָה לְנִשְׁבַּע עַל כְּפִירַת מָמוֹן. וּשְׁבוּעָה זוֹ הִיא הַנִּקְרֵאת שְׁבוּעַת הַפִּקָּדוֹן:
כסף משנה
8.
What is meant by a sh'vuat hapikadon, [an oath concerning an entrusted object]?22The latter is the literal translation of the term pikadon. Nevertheless, as the Rambam continues to explain, the term has a broader halachic meaning in this context. The Radbaz explains that the mishnah uses the term sh'vuat hapikadon, because it is most common that such a claim will be made with regard to an entrusted object. Alternatively, because the prooftext (Leviticus 5:21 mentions an entrusted object first. See Chapters 7 and 8 where this subject is discussed in detail. [It applies] when a person has money belonging to a colleague in his possession - whether it be an entrusted article or a loan, he stole from him, withheld his wages, he found a loss object belonging to him and did not return it, or any similar situation. If his colleague claims the money that he has in his possession and he denies the claim, he violates a negative commandment,23Sefer HaMitzvot (negative commandment 248) and Sefer HaChinuch (mitzvah 225) include this prohibition among the 613 mitzvot of the Torah. as [Leviticus 19:11] states: "You shall not deny..."; this is a warning [not to] deny a monetary [claim]. One is not liable for lashes for this transgression.24Either because the transgression does not involve a deed, or because financial compensation must be given and a person is not held liable both for financial restitution and lashes (Hilchot Sanhedrin 18:2).If one took a false oath with regard to the financial claim that he denied, he transgresses another negative commandment,25He also violates the commandment against taking a false oath [Sh'vuot 20b; Sefer HaMitzvot (negative commandment 249)]. as [the above verse] continues: "A person may not lie to his colleague."26Sefer HaMitzvot (loc. cit.) and Sefer HaChinuch (mitzvah 226) include this prohibition among the 613 mitzvot of the Torah. This is a warning against swearing [falsely] when denying a financial [obligation].
הלכה ט
וּמַה הוּא חַיָּב עַל שְׁבוּעַת הַפִּקָּדוֹן שֶׁשִּׁקֵּר בָּהּ. מְשַׁלֵּם אֶת הַקֶּרֶן שֶׁכָּפַר בּוֹ עִם תּוֹסֶפֶת חֹמֶשׁ. וּמַקְרִיב אָשָׁם וַדַּאי בֵּין שֶׁהָיָה מֵזִיד בֵּין שֶׁהָיָה שׁוֹגֵג שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ויקרא ה כא) "וְכִחֵשׁ בַּעֲמִיתוֹ בְּפִקָּדוֹן אוֹ בִתְשׂוּמֶת יָד אוֹ בְגָזֵל" וְגוֹ' (ויקרא ה כג) "וְהָיָה כִּי יֶחֱטָא וְאָשֵׁם". וְלֹא נֶאֱמַר בּוֹ וְנֶעְלַם מִמֶּנּוּ, לְחַיֵּב מֵזִיד כְּשׁוֹגֵג:
כסף משנה
9.
What is a person's liability for taking a false sh'vuat hapikadon? He must pay the principle that he denied plus an additional fifth27As the Rambam explains in several instances, the intent is one fifth of the new total. For example, if he denied a debt of 20 zuz, he must pay 25 in restitution. and bring a definite28This term is used to distinguish this offering from the conditional guilt offering brought by a person who is unsure whether or not he committed a sin. guilt offering as a sacrifice. [This applies] whether he [transgressed] intentionally or unintentionally,29In contrast, an ordinary sin offering is brought only when one transgresses inadvertently. as indicated by Leviticus 5:21-23 which] states: "And he will deny his [obligation to] a colleague concerning an entrusted object, a [financial] deposit, a robbery... when he will sin and become guilty." [The verse] does not say: "And it will become concealed from him,"30As Leviticus 5:4 states with regard to a sh'vuat bitui. indicating that one who transgresses willfully is liable just as [one who transgresses] inadvertently.הלכה י
וְהוּא שֶׁיָּזִיד בְּפִקָּדוֹן אוֹ בְּמָמוֹן שֶׁנִּתְחַיֵּב בּוֹ וְיָדַע בּוֹ בִּשְׁעַת שְׁבוּעָה. אֲבָל אִם שָׁגַג וְשָׁכַח שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ אֶצְלוֹ מָמוֹן וְכָפַר וְנִשְׁבַּע וְאַחַר כָּךְ יָדַע הֲרֵי זֶה אָנוּס וּפָטוּר מִכְּלוּם. וְכֵן אִם לֹא יָדַע שֶׁאָסוּר לִשָּׁבַע לַשֶּׁקֶר עַל כְּפִירַת מָמוֹן הֲרֵי זֶה אָנוּס וּפָטוּר:
כסף משנה
10.
The above applies when the person willfully accepted the entrusted object or the money that he was obligated and knew about it at the time of the oath. If, however, he acted unintentionally, forgot that he had the money in his possession, therefore denied it and took an oath, and then discovered the matter, he is considered [to have transgressed because of] factors beyond his control and is not liable at all.31Neither for a sacrifice, nor for the payment of an additional fifth of the object's value. Similarly, if the person did not know that it was forbidden to take a false oath in denial of a financial claim, he is considered [to have transgressed because of] factors beyond his control and is not liable.32The Radbaz states that although such an individual is not liable for a sacrifice or the additional fifth, he is liable for transgressing the prohibition against denying property.הלכה יא
אִם כֵּן הֵיאַךְ הִיא שִׁגְגַת שְׁבוּעַת הַפִּקָּדוֹן. כְּגוֹן שֶׁנֶּעֱלַם מִמֶּנּוּ אִם חַיָּבִין עָלֶיהָ קָרְבָּן אִם לָאו וְיָדַע שֶׁהִיא אֲסוּרָה וְשֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ אֶצְלוֹ מָמוֹן זוֹ הִיא שִׁגְגָתָהּ. וּזְדוֹנָהּ שֶׁיָּדַע שֶׁחַיָּבִין עָלֶיהָ קָרְבָּן:
כסף משנה
11.
If so, what is meant by acting inadvertently with regard to a sh'vuat hapikadon? For example, he forgot that one is liable to bring a sacrifice for [taking such a false oath], but knew that it was forbidden to do so and that he has the other person's money in his possession. This is considered the inadvertent transgression [of this prohibition].33Since he is unaware of the fact that he must bring a sacrifice and thus does not know the full severity of his act, he is considered to have transgressed inadvertently. Nevertheless, because he is conscious of the transgression and the fact that he has the other person's money in his possession, he is not considered to have transgressed due to forces beyond his control. Willful transgression is when he knows that he is liable to bring a sacrifice [because of the transgression].הלכה יב
שְׁבוּעַת הָעֵדוּת כֵּיצַד. הָעֵדִים שֶׁיָּדְעוּ עֵדוּת מָמוֹן וּתְבָעָם בַּעַל הָעֵדוּת לְהָעִיד לוֹ וְכָפְרוּ בְּעֵדוּתָן וְלֹא הֵעִידוּ וְנִשְׁבְּעוּ שֶׁאֵינָן יוֹדְעִין לוֹ עֵדוּת זוֹ הִיא נִקְרֵאת שְׁבוּעַת הָעֵדוּת. וְחַיָּבִין עַל שְׁבוּעָה זוֹ קָרְבָּן עוֹלֶה וְיוֹרֵד בֵּין שֶׁהָיוּ מְזִידִין בֵּין שֶׁהָיוּ שׁוֹגְגִים שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ויקרא ה א) "נֶפֶשׁ כִּי תֶחֱטָא וְשָׁמְעָה קוֹל אָלָה וְהוּא עֵד" וְלֹא נֶאֱמַר בָּהּ וְנֶעְלַם, לְחַיֵּב עַל הַזָּדוֹן כִּשְׁגָגָה:
כסף משנה
12.
What is meant by sh'vuat ha'edut?34The term literally means "an oath [associated with] testimony." See Chapters 9 and 10 where this subject is discussed in detail. Witnesses know testimony associated with a monetary claim35See Chapter 9, Halachot 3-5. and the person affected by the testimony demanded that they testify on his behalf. The witnesses deny knowledge of testimony, do not testify, and take an oath36This oath is not required by the court, but rather is demanded by the person affected by their testimony. See Chapter 9, Halachah 6. that they do not know any testimony concerning him. This is referred to as a sh'vuat ha'edut. For taking a [false] oath of this nature, one is liable for an adjustable guilt offering,37See the notes to Halachah 3. [This applies] whether he [transgressed] intentionally or unintentionally, as [indicated by Leviticus 5:1 which] states: "When a person will sin: If he heard a demand for an oath and he had witnessed...." [The verse] does not say: "And it will become concealed from him,"38See Chapter 9, Halachot 3-5. indicating that one who transgresses willfully is liable just as [one who transgresses] inadvertently.הלכה יג
כֵּיצַד שִׁגְגַת שְׁבוּעַת הָעֵדוּת. כְּגוֹן שֶׁנֶּעֱלַם מִמֶּנּוּ שֶׁחַיָּבִין עָלֶיהָ קָרְבָּן וְיָדַע שֶׁשְּׁבוּעָה זוֹ אֲסוּרָה וְשֶׁהִיא שֶׁקֶר. וּזְדוֹנָהּ שֶׁיָּדַע שֶׁחַיָּבִין עָלֶיהָ קָרְבָּן. אֲבָל אִם לֹא יָדַע שֶׁהִיא אֲסוּרָה אוֹ שֶׁשָּׁכְחוּ הָעֵדוּת וְנִשְׁבְּעוּ וְאַחַר כָּךְ נוֹדַע לָהֶם שֶׁהֵן יוֹדְעִין לוֹ עֵדוּת וְשֶׁנִּשְׁבְּעוּ עַל שֶׁקֶר הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ אֲנוּסִין וּפְטוּרִין אַף מִן הַקָּרְבָּן:
כסף משנה