INSIGHT 5762 - #39 FLUIDITY Kohelet 5:4 declares: "Better is one who does not make a vow than one who makes a vow and does not fulfill it." This verse actually only expresses part of the Torah attitude towards vows. While, in T.B. Nedarim 9a,1 Rabbi Yehuda states that it is still best for one to make a vow and fulfill it, Rabbi Meir disagrees. He contends that not making a vow is not only better than making a vow and not fulfilling it; it is better than making a vow and fulfilling it.2 It is, in fact, this view of Rabbi Meir that has become the dominant position within Halacha:3 it is simply best never to make a vow.
Rashi, Chulin 2a, d.h. Tov asher and d.h. She'eino noder
describes Rabbi Meir's concern to be the potential for failure. By making a
vow, one opens the possibility for sin through not fulfilling the vow.4
The implication is that, while fulfilling the vow has merit, it is best not to
create a potential for nonfulfillment and sin. The intensity of the negative
attitude towards vows, expressed elsewhere in the Talmud, however, suggests a
greater problem with vows. Shmuel, in T.B. Nedarim 22a, states that one
who makes a vow, even though it is fulfilled, is a rasha, an evil doer.
In T.B. Nedarim 77b, Rav Dimi describes such a person as a choteh,
a sinner.5 Rav Natan, also in T.B. Nedarim 22a, further states
that one who makes a vow is compared to one who builds a bamah, a
personal altar6 -- and one who fulfills a vow is comparable to one
who sacrifices on such an personal altar. The concern seems to be much more than the possibility for non-fulfillment. It would seem that there is something intrinsically problematic with vows. Ran, Nedarim 22a offers two possibilities. One is that, in making a vow, one portrays oneself as a chassid, as extremely righteous, and we should refrain from promoting such declarations about ourselves. The concern is an extension of haughtiness. His other argument, based on T.B. Nedarim 10a,7 is that a vow places further restrictions on the person and this is not praiseworthy. The concern is asceticism which, according to this view, is looked upon unfavourably. Taz, Yoreh De'ah 203:1 presents a different argument. The problem is that the individual did not attempt to have the vow annulled.8 According to this view, it is better to have a vow annulled than even to fulfill it. An individual is therefore criticized in fulfilling the vow, thus not annulling it. One would think that the procedure for annulling vows represents a safeguard to
protect one in the case he/she has a problem in fulfilling a vow. Taz's
presentation would seem to imply that annulling vows is a much more significant
duty and, in fact, has prima facie importance. Arranging for the
annulment of one's vows would seem to be a positive act. Therein may actually
be found the essential principle of this entire set of laws. In arranging an
annulment, one must demonstrate before a beit din or before a scholarly
expert that one has remorse for making the vow. The one who took the vow must
declare that if he/she knew what he/she knows today, he/she would have never
made the vow. Recognizing the weakness of a vow is a positive act.9
There are cases where vows are permitted and even encouraged. There are cases
where vows serve an important purpose.10 But nonetheless we
must always be careful of vows. If one wishes to adopt a certain behaviour, let
him/her do so; but without a vow. Whatever one's decision today, one should be
open for the potential for change tomorrow. That is growth and that is why,
through a vow, we should not concretize today into tomorrow. Rabbi Benjamin Hecht 1 See also T.B.
Chullin 2a. The issues are actually much more complex than can be presented
in the Insight and the positions of Rabbi Yehuda and Rabbi Meir are analyzed in
much greater detail -- and in regard to specific situations -- in the Talmudic
discussions. 2 See, interestingly,
Tosfot, Chulin 2a, d.h. Tov, which describes the Kohelet 5:4 as the source
for Rabbi Meir's position as well. 3 See Shulchan
Aruch, Yoreh De'ah, 203:4. 4 See Bamidbar
30:3. 5 Both declarations
are brought down in Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De ah 203:1 at the very
beginning of the discussion on vows. 6 Personal altars are
forbidden. See Sefer HaChinuch, Mitzvot 439, 440. 7 This statement is
made originally in connection to nazir but has connection to all vows.
See also T.J. Nedarim 9:1. 8 See also the
specific language of Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De'ah 203:3. 9 Inherent within this
concept is the idea that this request reflects a positive growth either through
greater understanding of oneself, the world and/or Torah. Of course, not every
new realization may reflect growth. This may be the reason that the request for
annulment has to be before another. This ensures that there is an evaluation of
the new perception. 10 It is beyond the
scope of this Insight to discuss these situations and the beneficial nature of
such vows. For one interested in pursuing this study, Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh
De’ah, c. 203 will provide a good starting point. Return to top |
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