Nullification of Vows

The subject of making vows and their nullification is a major part of פרשת מטות. Generally, we go according to the Pasuk in Kohelet, that it is better not to make a vow, than to make one and not keep it. Nevertheless, there are instances where making a נדר could be a positive thing. A vow can be a motivator for us to overcome personality flaws. If we say out loud for others to hear, what resolve to do, it could be the help we need to move forward. There are difficult periods we might go through in life, where a promise to Hashem, could help us get through a crisis. We find this with Yakov Avinu who made a vow before his confrontation with Eisav.

There is also an apparatus to have vows forgiven and canceled. This is referred to as השאלה or התרת נדרים. This is where the individual deeply regrets ever having made his vow. He goes either to a יחיד מומחה, singular expert judge, or a בית דין of three honorable Jews, who act as a court.

The primary reason for such nullification comes with the following argument. “Had I known that this would be the outcome of my vow, I would never have made it.”

The “Beit Din” will usually accept this argument and the individual is free of his vow. Making promises or vows should be done with a great deal of forethought, for it is a very serious matter, to break a promise or vow.