alex lebovits asked:
Is R' Meyer's opinion that "Ein Adam Motzi Devarav le'Vatalah" a tenable position? Don't we see from the Torah itself, that not only does a person say something nonsensical; but that he will even swear to it! Isn't that what a "Shevuos Shav" is all about?!
Kol Tov! and looking forward to your answer.
alex lebovits, toronto, canada
The Kollel replies:
There are always exceptions. The question is whether we assume a person does not talk nonsense until proven otherwise, or not. (In fact, even in our Gemara Beis Hillel - who also agrees with Rebbi Meir - maintains that we have no choice but to say that the person said words l'Vatalah.)
Be well,
Mordecai Kornfeld