Take One Daf Yomi Shevuot 27 - Hand over Heart
May 28, 2025
Delve into the fascinating world of oaths and mitzvot. Discover whether a promise to fulfill an already obligatory commandment counts as an empty oath. Learn how obligations can impact liability and how sometimes oaths can serve as motivational tools. Engage with the wisdom of the sages as they explore these intricate relationships and their implications in daily life.
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Oaths on Mitzvot Are Not Binding
- Promising to refrain from or perform a mitzvah as an oath does not incur liability if one fails to keep it.
- This is because mitzvot are obligations from Mount Sinai, making such oaths irrelevant in traditional terms.
Oaths Motivate, Not Bind, Mitzvah Actions
- Oaths only apply when a person has a choice to act or not; mitzvot do not fall under this because they are mandatory.
- Taking an oath to perform a mitzvah is an act of self-encouragement, not an oath in vain.
Use Oaths to Encourage Mitzvot
- Use vows or oaths to motivate yourself to fulfill the mitzvot you are obligated to perform.
- Such self-promising encourages positive action and is considered beneficial, not sinful.
