Daily Mitzvah, Day 112: The Nullification of Vows
Study the daily lesson of Sefer HaMitzvos for day 112 with Rabbi Mendel Kaplan, where he teaches the mitzvah in-depth with added insight and detail.
| Podcast: | Subscribe to Mendel Kaplan - Sefer Hamitzvot |
| Audio: | Listen to Audio | Download this MP3 |
Rabbi Mendel Kaplan is the Spiritual Leader and Executive Director of Chabad Flamingo in Thornhill, Ontario, serving one of Canada’s most dynamic Jewish communities. He also serves as Chaplain of the York Regional Police Service. He is an active member of Toronto’s Vaad HaRabbanim (Council of Orthodox Rabbis), and a voting member of the COR Kashruth Council of Canada’s executive rabbinical board. Rabbi Kaplan is featured regularly on many local television and radio shows. He is a sought after speaker, with hundreds of lectures on Chabad.org. He and his wife, Faygie, are blessed with eight children. Artistically endowed, the rabbi enjoys drawing, sketching and creating charcoal portraits.
© Copyright, all rights reserved. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further, provided that you comply with Chabad.org's copyright policy.
The Absolution of views day 112 I was interested in this subject because of a story that I read in a book of midrashim. In the story Moshe Rabenu reasons with HaShem to not destroy Israel. Moshe's argument is, "You need to obey your own Law that someone else can annul your vow."
I don't know if it all transpired the way it is told in the story, but one thing that is true is that HaShem repented from His vow due to Moshe's pleading in Shemot 33:12---34:11, which seems to indicate the notion of regret as in the case of the mabul.
Wouldn't that represent at least a semi-toratic precedent for the Rambam's notion of the absolution of goes by someone else because of regrets or incomplete information? I realise that to assume HaShem of having incomplete information about our future choices sounds wrong, but several times He Del's mentions repentance.
Also, since HaShem can only swear by Himself, cannot "Himself" be the other person annulling the vow?
Thanks for the teaching. Really enjoyed it
Gavriel Lumbroso