Nazir

MISHNAH. [IF A MAN SAYS.] 'I INTEND TO BE A NAZIRITE [AND ABSTAIN] FROM DRIED FIGS AND PRESSED FIGS', BETH SHAMMAI SAY THAT HE BECOMES A NAZIRITE [IN THE ORDINARY SENSE].  BUT BETH HILLEL SAY THAT HE DOES NOT BECOME A NAZIRITE. R. JUDAH SAID: EVEN THOUGH BETH SHAMMAI DID AFFIRM [THAT THE FORMULA IS OF SOME EFFECT]. THEY MEANT ONLY WHERE HE SAID,  'THEY ARE [FORBIDDEN] TO ME, AS IS A SACRIFICE.' GEMARA. [IF A MAN SAYS,] 'I INTEND TO BE A NAZIRITE [AND ABSTAIN] FROM DRIED FIGS AND PRESSED FIGS, BETH SHAMMAI SAY THAT HE BECOMES A NAZIRITE: But why? Does not the Divine Law say, nothing that is made of the grape-vine?  — Beth Shammai adopt the view of R. Meir, who said that a man does not make a declaration without meaning something,  whilst Beth Hillel adopt the view of R. Jose that a man's intentions are to be gathered from  the concluding portion of his statement [equally with the first portion], and [in consequence] the vow here carries with it its annulment. But surely Beth Shammai also agree that the vow here carries with it its annulment? — We must therefore say, that Beth Shammai adopt the view of R. Meir, who said that a man does not make a declaration without meaning something, and so immediately he utters the words 'I INTEND TO BE A NAZIRITE', he becomes a nazirite, and in adding '[AND ABSTAIN] FROM DRIED FIGS AND PRESSED FIGS, his purpose is to obtain release  [from his vow], and Beth Shammai [reject this] in accordance with their general principle that there can be no release from [vows made for] sacred purposes, and since there can be no release from [vows made for] sacred purposes, there can be no release from naziriteship. Beth Hillel, on the other hand, agree with R. Simeon, as we have learnt:  R. Simeon declared him free  [of obligation], since his offering was not undertaken in the customary manner: