Yerushalmi Nedarim
R. Simeon ben Lakish discoursed: If one were to know that taking a vow of abstinence is like putting one’s neck in an iron collar would one take a vow? It is like a guard who passes a fortress and sees an empty collar and puts his own head into it. [ . . . ]
R. Isaac discoursed: If one were to know that taking a vow of abstinence is like driving a sword into one’s heart would one take a vow? [ . . . ]
R. Dimi said in the name of R. Isaac: Are the things prohibited in the law not enough for you that you want to prohibit other things to yourself?
Translated by Christine Hayes.
Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 2: Emerging Judaism.
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Yerushalmi Kiddushin
Just as one should not seek out opportunities for martyrdom, an amoraic teaching in y. Nedarim 9:1, 41b maintains that one should not seek out opportunities to afflict oneself through abstinence above and beyond what the Law prescribes.
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