תלמיד חכם שנידה עצמו וכו'. א"א זה אינו מחוור אם כן יהודה למה לא התיר לעצמו ועל כ"ז קשה לי יעקב למה לא התירו: A disciple of the wise etc. This is not clear, if so, why did Judah not release himself, moreover, why did Jacob not release him?* Here is only a difference of opinion in a fundamental rule of practice. Maimonides contends that a scholar releases himself even in a matter where separation is justified, basing his decision on Mo'ed Katan 17a, and Nedarim, 7a. The apparent contradiction of Judah, is no contradiction at all, as Judah bound himself to bring Benjamin back, which is a bond to perform a definite thing, in which case Maimonides does not sanction the release by one's own self. Jacob did not release him, because Judah brought Benjamin back and delivered to Jacob, which was sufficient ground to believe that there was no need for a release. C. G.