What is a Vow?

Deuteronomy 23:22-24

"Neder" a conditional promise - a vow. The subject of this study is about vows and procrastination.

There are vows that are easy to understand, such as the marriage vow, which is made in public to inspire us to to live up to the promise stated. But there are also examples of problematic vows, such as the one made by Jepthe to sacrafice the 'first' thing that comes from his home which turns out to be his daughter. Or the vow made under false precepts, such as the case of Joshua when he was up against the Gideonites.

Sometimes a vow is made to God under conditions that are not conducive to clear thinking. Vows are often made from fear, insecurity or desperation. There is the case of Hannah promising the service of her son to the Temple. There is the vow in Numbers 21 promising the bounty of victory to God in the conflict with the Canaanites.

Link: Interesting analysis of different types of vows

And next time we are going to discuss Vows and Kol Nidre… and a release from vows as set by Rabbis in the Mishna.