Newsgroups: soc.culture.jewish
Subject: A Byte Of Torah I,XXXIV Matos-Masei
From: ToraByte <CFRQC@CUNYVM.BITNET>
Date: Thursday, 30 Jul 1992 00:04:56 EDT
Organization: City University of New York/ University Computer Center

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                                     A                                   BS"D
   Volume I                       B Y T E     The Electronic
     Issue XXXIV                    O F          Torah Weekly
                                 T O R A H
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 ----                    Editor : Zev S. Itzkowitz                       ----
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                           Dvar Torah of the Week
                           ----------------------

"A man, if he vows a vow to Hashem, or he swears an oath to bind a bond on
his soul, he shall not break his word; all that comes from his mouth, he
shall do." (Numbers 30:3)

 This verse is puzzling. What does the Bible mean by "a man"? This verse is
said in reference to one who is thirteen or older (Targum Yonasan).
 Why does the Bible use a double language to express the taking of an oath
or vow? The Bible does this to indicate to us that there exists two types
of situations where oaths and vows are taken. One is when it concern's
one's spirituality, e.g. doing good deeds. The other is as a preventative
measure, e.g. to safeguard oneself from transgressing (Or HaChayim).
 What does the Bible mean by "to bind a bond"? A vow that permits that
which the Bible made forbidden, is not a valid vow. A vow which forbids
that which the Bible explicitly commands to do, is also invalid (Ramban).
However, a vow that forbids that which the Bible allowed, e.g. a Nazirite
vow, is valid and binding (Rashi).
 What does the Bible mean by "he shall not break his word"? A person
should neither abrogate (Rashi) nor desecrate (Ibn Ezra) his word once he
has made it. However, if a person finds that he will be unable to keep his
promise or vow, then he should go to either a great scholar or three regular
people to nullify his vow(s) (Keli Yakar, Rambam).


                             Mussar of the Week
                             ------------------

"A man, if he vows a vow to Hashem, or he swears an oath to bind a bond on
his soul, he shall not break his word; all that comes from his mouth, he
shall do." (Numbers 30:3)

 This verse is mysterious. The Bible wrote "he shall not break his word".
Thus, why does the Bible subsequently write "all that comes from his
mouth, he shall do"? This part of the verse comes to teach us that one
must keep one's word even if it was not said in the form of a vow (Rabbeinu
Bachya). This can come teach us an important lesson about dealing with
people. There are many times when somebody will say 'I will do this or
that', and then not do what was said. It is important for a person to keep
his word, and not just talk big and without thought. Talk is cheap, but
keeping one's word shows personal integrity and fine character.

Please direct any comments, questions, etc. back to me here at CFRQC@CUNYVM,
or on internet CFRQC@cunyvm.cuny.edu. Please pass it on to a friend. If you
want to subscribe, please send e-mail to listserv@israel.nysernet.org
with the msg: SUB bytetorah <first name> <last name>.  --Zev Itzkowitz
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Newsgroups: soc.culture.jewish