Neder
Encyclopedia
In Judaism, a neder is a declaration, using the name of God, of the acceptance of a self-made pledge, stating that the pledge must be fulfilled with the same importance as a halakha
. The neder may be to fulfill some act in the future (either once or regularly) or to refrain from a particular type of activity of the person's choice. The concept of the neder and the surrounded Jewish law is described at the beginning of the parsha of Matot
.
The word neder is often translated into English and other languages as a vow
, but this is inaccurate: a neder is neither a vow nor an oath
(known in Hebrew as "shevuah"). The simple recitation of a vow is not considered swearing an oath. There is no single word in English to describe a neder. The word "neder" is mentioned 33 times in the Pentatuach, 19 of which occur in the Book of Numbers
.
Judaism views the power of speech
as very strong. It is speech that distinguishes humans from animals, and has the power to accomplish a lot for better or for worse. Due to the strength of a neder, and the fact that one must absolutely be fulfilled if made, many pious Jews engage in the practice of saying "b'li neder" after a statement that they will do something, meaning that their statement is not a binding neder in the event they cannot fulfill their pledge due to unforeseen circumstances.
The most common way a neder is made is through verbal pronunciation. But according to some opinions, the performance of an act on three consecutive occasions is akin to a neder.
. A neder to be a nazirite for a period of time or sometimes for life for either of the above-described reasons. The Nazirite is required to refrain from consuming alcoholic beverages or grape products, cutting one's hair, or exposure to dead bodies, including one's closest relatives.
A neder by be annulled either by a beit din (court of Jewish law) composed of at least three adult men, or singlehandedly by a Talmud chacham (Torah
scholar). Either one must ask the person who made the neder why he wishes to have the neder annulled.
The fact that a neder by a woman can so easily be invalidated by a man has been criticized by feminists, though others see it as a kindness in Judaism toward women. In a marriage, it is a means of keeping marital partners in harmony by requiring women to discuss a neder with her husband before taking it on.
, and then by the recitation of Kol Nidre
at the beginning of Yom Kippur
.
The common practice is for groups of people, such as family members or a minyan
to ask for the annulment together. But one who is unable to do this can rely on the Kol Nidre of the community, which is recited on behalf of all Jews.
Through the High Holiday annulment, the following types of nedarim can be annulled:
All nedarim that are annulled must be those one cannot remember having made. If one can remember having made a neder, he must recite it to at least three adult men who are familiar with the laws of the specific type of neder.
Halakha
Halakha — also transliterated Halocho , or Halacha — is the collective body of Jewish law, including biblical law and later talmudic and rabbinic law, as well as customs and traditions.Judaism classically draws no distinction in its laws between religious and ostensibly non-religious life; Jewish...
. The neder may be to fulfill some act in the future (either once or regularly) or to refrain from a particular type of activity of the person's choice. The concept of the neder and the surrounded Jewish law is described at the beginning of the parsha of Matot
Matot
Matot, Mattot, Mattoth, or Matos is the 42nd weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading and the ninth in the book of Numbers...
.
The word neder is often translated into English and other languages as a vow
Vow
A vow is a promise or oath.-Marriage vows:Marriage vows are binding promises each partner in a couple makes to the other during a wedding ceremony. Marriage customs have developed over history and keep changing as human society develops...
, but this is inaccurate: a neder is neither a vow nor an oath
Oath
An oath is either a statement of fact or a promise calling upon something or someone that the oath maker considers sacred, usually God, as a witness to the binding nature of the promise or the truth of the statement of fact. To swear is to take an oath, to make a solemn vow...
(known in Hebrew as "shevuah"). The simple recitation of a vow is not considered swearing an oath. There is no single word in English to describe a neder. The word "neder" is mentioned 33 times in the Pentatuach, 19 of which occur in the Book of Numbers
Book of Numbers
The Book of Numbers is the fourth book of the Hebrew Bible, and the fourth of five books of the Jewish Torah/Pentateuch....
.
Judaism views the power of speech
Speech
Speech is the human faculty of speaking.It may also refer to:* Public speaking, the process of speaking to a group of people* Manner of articulation, how the body parts involved in making speech are manipulated...
as very strong. It is speech that distinguishes humans from animals, and has the power to accomplish a lot for better or for worse. Due to the strength of a neder, and the fact that one must absolutely be fulfilled if made, many pious Jews engage in the practice of saying "b'li neder" after a statement that they will do something, meaning that their statement is not a binding neder in the event they cannot fulfill their pledge due to unforeseen circumstances.
The most common way a neder is made is through verbal pronunciation. But according to some opinions, the performance of an act on three consecutive occasions is akin to a neder.
Personal piety
Some nedarim are made out of closeness to G-d and one's personal dedication. The neder is a way of making a commitment to the Torah and mitzvot and the practice of religion. For example, it is common for a tzaddik who is at a very high level of Torah practice to set new guidelines in his life.Gratitude
Nedarim are sometimes made out of gratitude toward G-d for having been the beneficiary of some form of kindness from G-d's hand, such as a miracle. For example, one whose life has been saved from near-death might make a new neder as a commitment toward G-d.Personal improvement
One who wishes to improve oneself might make a neder in order to change one's behavior for the better.In times of need
Some Jews in times of desperation have made nedarim in hopes that G-d will answer their prayers in exchange for making a commitment. Essentially, they are "bargaining" with G-d to have their needs met. For example, a woman who is unable to have children might make a neder to give a certain amount of charity if she is blessed with children.The Nazirite neder
A common type of neder is that of the NaziriteNazirite
In the Hebrew Bible, a nazirite or nazarite, , refers to one who voluntarily took a vow described in . The term "nazirite" comes from the Hebrew word nazir meaning "consecrated" or "separated"...
. A neder to be a nazirite for a period of time or sometimes for life for either of the above-described reasons. The Nazirite is required to refrain from consuming alcoholic beverages or grape products, cutting one's hair, or exposure to dead bodies, including one's closest relatives.
Annulment
Generally, a neder is so strong, that it cannot be broken, and doing so constitutes an aveira (sin). For this reason, it is better not to make a neder at all, then to make a neder and not to keep it. But there are times when halakha permits a neder to be broken.A neder by be annulled either by a beit din (court of Jewish law) composed of at least three adult men, or singlehandedly by a Talmud chacham (Torah
Torah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
scholar). Either one must ask the person who made the neder why he wishes to have the neder annulled.
Nedarim by women
A neder pronounced by a woman can be broken by a man. If a girl under age 12 pronounces a neder, her father has the power to annul it. A neder made by a married woman can be voided by her husband.The fact that a neder by a woman can so easily be invalidated by a man has been criticized by feminists, though others see it as a kindness in Judaism toward women. In a marriage, it is a means of keeping marital partners in harmony by requiring women to discuss a neder with her husband before taking it on.
High Holidays
Traditionally, around the High Holidays, all nederim are annulled in order to free all persons of the liability in the event they are not fulfilled. They first are annulled on the eve of Rosh HashanahRosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah , , is the Jewish New Year. It is the first of the High Holy Days or Yamim Nora'im which occur in the autumn...
, and then by the recitation of Kol Nidre
Kol Nidre
Kol Nidre is an Aramaic declaration recited in the synagogue before the beginning of the evening service on every Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement...
at the beginning of Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur , also known as Day of Atonement, is the holiest and most solemn day of the year for the Jews. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Jews traditionally observe this holy day with a 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue...
.
The common practice is for groups of people, such as family members or a minyan
Minyan
A minyan in Judaism refers to the quorum of ten Jewish adults required for certain religious obligations. According to many non-Orthodox streams of Judaism adult females count in the minyan....
to ask for the annulment together. But one who is unable to do this can rely on the Kol Nidre of the community, which is recited on behalf of all Jews.
Through the High Holiday annulment, the following types of nedarim can be annulled:
- The fulfillment of a voluntary commandment
- A practice beyond Torah commandments in which the plan was to fulfill the neder indefinitely
- A practice that was performed on three consecutive occasions
- A neder to give tzedaka
All nedarim that are annulled must be those one cannot remember having made. If one can remember having made a neder, he must recite it to at least three adult men who are familiar with the laws of the specific type of neder.