02-17-2010, 02:10 AM
(This post was last modified: 02-17-2010, 02:14 AM by Director Michael.)
I forwarded this question to Rabbi Moshe Wiener, author of "The Divine Code." Here is the answer he sent back [the bracketed information is added for extra explanation]:
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If you think that an oath is necessary, then you may vow by saying verbally, "I take upon myself this and this," while having in mind that this verbal statement is a vow.
Still, [because a vow is such a severe matter,] it is best to instead say verbally, "I promise to do so and so without clearly making a vow in this regard."
In the first case, you are comitted [before G-d] to keep your word, but in the second case [which is preferred], if a difficult situation may arise, you are exempt from keeping your vow [in that situation, which might be unforseen].
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Director Michael
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If you think that an oath is necessary, then you may vow by saying verbally, "I take upon myself this and this," while having in mind that this verbal statement is a vow.
Still, [because a vow is such a severe matter,] it is best to instead say verbally, "I promise to do so and so without clearly making a vow in this regard."
In the first case, you are comitted [before G-d] to keep your word, but in the second case [which is preferred], if a difficult situation may arise, you are exempt from keeping your vow [in that situation, which might be unforseen].
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Director Michael