For the source text click/tap here: Nedarim 34
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Rav Chiya bar Avin inquired of Rava: What is the halachah if one said to his fellow, “My loaf is forbidden to you,” and then, he gave the loaf as a gift to that fellow? He explains: Do we say that since he said, “My loaf (is forbidden to you),” it is only when it is in the owner’s possession that the loaf is forbidden to the other fellow (however, when it is in the other fellow’s possession, it is not forbidden)? Or perhaps, since he said, “to you,” he has rendered the loaf hekdesh upon the other fellow (and it will remain forbidden to him even after it leaves the vower’s possession)?
Rava replied: It is obvious that the vower meant that the loaf should be forbidden even if he gives it to the fellow as a gift, for otherwise, what is the purpose of the neder?
We explore the history of bread and the use of a loaf of bread as a metaphor in Gimpel the Fool and other short stories.