8. THE TWO VERSIONS
In light of this explanation, we can now understand the difference between the two versions of the Gemara:
According to the opinion that “the age of vows” refers to “the twelfth year for a female minor and the thirteenth year for a male minor,” we can understand how a person could possibly think that “{in a case} where we examine her... and she did not know how to utter a vow properly, {one might} say that one should examine her no further.” Because according to this opinion, it’s possible that the primary defining factor of “a minor nearing adulthood who vows” is their age. In other words, the Torah revealed that reaching the age of eleven years and one day can transform the vow she takes.
Since we see that this young girl, at this age, “did not know how to utter a vow properly,” it indicates that she lacks the maturity necessary for making a proper vow, despite reaching this age. Because of this, her “age of vows” would be postponed until she reaches the age of full maturity.
