Rabbi Sholom Twerski
July 10, 2026
וַיְדַבֵּר מֹשֶׁה אֶל־רָאשֵׁי הַמַּטּוֹת לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לֵאמֹר זֶה הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר צִוָּה ה'׃ אִישׁ כִּי־יִדֹּר נֶדֶר לַה' אוֹ־הִשָּׁבַע שְׁבֻעָה לֶאְסֹר אִסָּר עַל־נַפְשׁוֹ לֹא יַחֵל דְּבָרוֹ כְּכׇל־הַיֹּצֵא מִפִּיו יַעֲשֶׂה׃
Moshe spoke to the heads of the Israelite tribes, saying: This is what GOD has commanded: If anyone makes a vow to GOD or takes an oath imposing an obligation on themselves, they shall not break their pledge; they must carry out all that has crossed their lips.
The Ohr HaChaim HaKodesh asks why was this mitzvah specifically given over to the heads of the tribes? Almost all mitzvos were said to the entire Klal Yisroel, yet this one seems to be given over to the leaders, not to the masses.
The parsha discusses the ability of a person to make a neder or a shavua- a vow or an oath- regarding that which is permissible and to create a prohibition upon oneself. This is sometimes necessary where one feels the need to create safeguards but also feels he or she lacks the self-control necessary to see it through. They then create a prohibition on oneself which is binding. It has the power, essentially, to turn a piece of cake into pork. Just as there is a Torah prohibition to eat pork, when one makes a vow, for example, not to eat cake, this creates a Torah prohibition on him or her not to eat that piece of cake.
However, sometimes a person is too hasty. In a moment of frustration or inspiration, they undertake things they cannot withstand. The Torah prescribes a procedure wherewith they may annul their vow. Sometimes it is the husband or father of a woman that may annul it, sometimes they must go to a court or a scholar- but there are methods of undoing the oath.
The Ohr HaChaim suggests that the Torah wanted to avoid a misconception which might occur should this parsha be taught directly to the masses. People might feel that if something may be undone, there is nothing to it. A person might mistakenly believe they may make and annul oaths flippantly.
So, this parsha was told over to the leaders that have to deal with people that may be overzealous. It is important that they know of the possibility of annulling the vow. The message they should be giving over, though, is not one of avoiding a commitment made. To the contrary, זֶה הַדָּבָר- this is the thing to give over. לֹא יַחֵל דְּבָרוֹ כְּכׇל־הַיֹּצֵא מִפִּיו יַעֲשֶׂה- One may not make his speech profane. Care and consideration should be given before making a statement. Consider if you think you can live up to what you say you will do. Only then should you make that commitment.
On Yom Kippur, we begin with Kol Nidrei. It is meant to be a reminder of the seriousness of making vows, and by extension, the power of words.
As we are in the Three Weeks, and think, not only of the loss of the Beis Hamikdash, but also of the causes of its destruction, we are reminded to consider the gravity of speech. Our Sages tell us that it was Sinas Chinam that destroyed the Beis Hamikdash and brought about our exile. The Chafetz Chaim points out that when one looks at the Gemara, it is clear that what is meant by Sinas Chinam is the sin of Lashon Hara.
Derogatory speech can destroy reputations and sow hatred and divisiveness. The pain can rebound and tear families and communities asunder. If the Shechina is to dwell among us, there must first be peace, unity, and harmony within our ranks. Only then can we look forward to Hashem’s Presence in Yerushalayim and harmony throughout the world.
Have a wonderful Shabbos!