A4
We are to keep & not delay our vows that we make to God.
Category: Godliness, Holiness & Righteousness
Type: Positive & Negative
Form: Explicit
Source dataset: Old Testament
Uniqueness: Not unique
Classical commandment: Yes
New Covenant Literal Application
Applies to Person Categories: Everyone
Literal Application: mandated
More explanation about New Covenant Literal Application
The New Covenant Literal Application Code (NCLA) is an interpretive guide used by the authors to indicate which person categories a mitzvah applies to, and at what level of literal compliance.
It combines person categories such as Jewish, K'rov Yisrael, and Gentile, together with male/female distinctions and an application level such as mandated, recommended, optional, or prohibited.
This code reflects the authors' interpretive opinion and is provided for prayerful consideration. On this page, the technical code is summarized into plain language to help new readers understand it more easily.
Detailed codes: GFm - Gentile female, mandated | GMm - Gentile male, mandated | JFm - Jewish female, mandated | JMm - Jewish male, mandated | KFm - K'rovat Yisrael female, mandated | KMm - K'rov Yisrael male, mandated
Bible references
Key NT Scriptures
- Matthew 5:33-37
Key OT Scriptures
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Deuteronomy 23:22-24
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Numbers 6:1-21
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Numbers 30:2-16
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Psalms 65:2
Supportive NT Scriptures
- Acts 18:18
Supportive OT Scriptures
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Deuteronomy 23:19
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Ecclesiastes 5:5
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Malachi 1:14
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Proverbs 20:25
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Psalms 50:14
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Psalms 56:13
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Psalms 76:12
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Commentary
Rabbi Michael Rudolph
A vow is a promise uttered with deliberate solemnity and it is clear from the Scriptures cited above that vows to God may not be broken. There would be nothing more to say on the matter were it not for the annual musical recitation (in most synagogues) of Kol Nidre , rendered just before sundown on the evening of Yom Kippur . Kol Nidre (Sephardic pronunciation Kal Nidre ) means "all vows", and is an ancient Aramaic legal formula that seeks to nullify all vows made to God, by individuals, in the year past and in the year to come. As such, it is a clear and direct violation of the intent of Scripture, and many attempts have been made, over the years, to expunge the tradition from Jewish practice. Some have sought to justify Kol Nidre by inferring that it originated with the "Marranos" during the Spanish Inquisition, in their attempt to nullify vows of conversion to Christianity made under extreme duress. Although the "Marranos" no doubt used the Kol Nidre formula for that purpose, the concept originated at least five hundred years earlier. We know this because a similar formula appears in the prayer book of the noted Rabbi Amram Gaon (ca. ninth century). The controversy persists within Judaism broadly, but is a settled matter in most Messianic Jewish congregations where Kol Nidre is either not sung at all, or is replaced by a proclamation of the opposite - a statement affirming all vows made in the year past, and our intention to abide by all vows that we may make in the year to come. I will say only a few words about Nazirite vows since they are rare today. They are vows of special personal dedication to holiness that incorporate limitations on one's lifestyle (e.g. wine and grapes may not be eaten, and one's hair must not be cut), and have a declared date of expiration. I mention them in connection with this Mitzvah because they must, as with other vows, be kept once made notwithstanding our being in the New Covenant.
Classical commentators
Maimonides, Meir, and HaChinuch each wrote four mitzvot related to the keeping of promises (without delay) made with or without vows.
Copyright © Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster, The Law of Messiah, Torah from a New Covenant Perspective, Volume 1 & 2
Classical sources
Maimonides
Maimonides (Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, 12th century) organized all 613 Torah commandments into a structured list. These linked items show where this Law of Messiah commandment overlaps with that classical framework.
Meir of Rothenburg
Rabbi Meir of Rothenburg (13th century, Germany) was a leading Talmudic authority. These reference numbers link this commandment to his halachic rulings.
MP39, MP39
Source and License
Based on The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective by Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster.
License: CC BY-ND 4.0 (Attribution required, NoDerivatives). CC BY-ND 4.0
Disclaimer: the original content is authored by Rabbi Michael Rudolph and Rabbi Daniel Juster; additional notes or implementation details on this website are not part of their original work and do not represent their views.
Record source: The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective - Volume 1 & 2
Copyright note: Copyright © Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster, The Law of Messiah, Torah from a New Covenant Perspective, Volume 1 & 2