215

Not to break oaths or vows

The Luchos - Ten Commandments
אִישׁ֩ כִּֽי־יִדֹּ֨ר נֶ֜דֶר לַֽיהֹוָ֗ה אֽוֹ־הִשָּׁ֤בַע שְׁבֻעָה֙ לֶאְסֹ֤ר אִסָּר֙ עַל־נַפְשׁ֔וֹ לֹ֥א יַחֵ֖ל דְּבָר֑וֹ כְּכׇל־הַיֹּצֵ֥א מִפִּ֖יו יַעֲשֶֽׂה׃ - פָּרָשַׁת מַּטּוֹת
Numbers 30:3 - "If a man makes a vow to the Lord or makes an oath to prohibit himself, he shall not violate his word; according to whatever came out of his mouth, he shall do."

This Mitzvah's Summary

מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Faith – אֱמוּנָה

It is forbidden to break one’s oaths or vows.

This mitzvah prohibits violating vows (nedarim) and oaths (shevuot). Once spoken, these commitments become binding. To disregard them profanes one’s word and desecrates Hashem’s sanctity.
While mitzvah 214 commands the positive fulfillment of vows, mitzvah 215 forbids their violation. Together they show the Torah’s dual emphasis: keeping our words and avoiding their desecration.

Commentary & Classical Explanation:

  • Rambam (Hilchot Nedarim 1:2): Breaking vows transgresses this prohibition directly, even if one also fails to fulfill the positive commandment.
  • Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 406): The root is to train us in truthfulness and guard us from casual speech. To break a vow weakens personal discipline and communal trust.
  • Talmud (Nedarim 2b): Notes that vows are serious because they transform the optional into the obligatory, making their violation a grave sin.
  • Rashi (Numbers 30:3): Explains “he shall not profane his word” as teaching that words have inherent sanctity; violating them desecrates that sanctity.
(Source: Chabad.org)

Applying this Mitzvah Today

Notes on this Mitzvah's Fundamentals

Faith – אֱמוּנָה

  • Rambam (Hilchot Nedarim 1:2) rules that breaking vows undermines belief that Hashem hears and judges speech. Keeping vows demonstrates faith in His omniscience.

Reverence – יִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם

  • Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 406) explains that vows train us in reverence. Fearing Hashem leads us to guard our words, knowing that the Divine Name is linked to every vow.

Holiness – קְדֻשָּׁה

  • Rashi (Numbers 30:3) teaches that “he shall not profane his word” means words are inherently sacred. Violating them desecrates that sanctity, while fulfilling them preserves holiness.

Speech – דָּבָר

  • Talmud (Nedarim 2b) emphasizes that vows turn voluntary matters into binding obligations. This highlights the power of speech to create binding realities — a sacred responsibility not to be corrupted.

Truth / Justice – צֶדֶק

  • Sefer HaChinuch notes that broken vows erode trust and justice. When promises are unreliable, fairness in both personal and judicial settings collapses.

Vows / Oaths – נדרים / שבועות

  • Rambam codifies this mitzvah as central to the halachic system of vows. Breaking them not only fails the positive command (214) but also violates this prohibition (215).

Community – קְהִלָּה

  • Sefer HaChinuch stresses that communal trust depends on individuals keeping their word. If vows are broken freely, society loses its cohesion and reliability.

Bein Adam L’Makom (between a person and G-d)

  • A vow invokes Hashem’s presence. To break it is a direct affront to His sanctity, since it misuses His Name or the commitment made before Him.

Bein Adam L’Chavero (between people)

  • When vows involve others — promises, financial obligations, or communal commitments — breaking them harms relationships, undermines trust, and damages social harmony.

This Mitzvah's Fundamental Badges

Faith - אֱמוּנָה

Information Icon

Represents Emunah—the deep, inner trust in Hashem’s presence, oneness, and constant involvement in our lives. This badge symbolizes a heartfelt connection to G-d, rooted in belief even when we cannot see. It is the emotional and spiritual core of many mitzvot.

View Badge →

Reverence - יִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם

Information Icon

Signifies awe and reverence toward Hashem—living with awareness of His greatness and presence.

View Badge →

Holiness - קְדֻשָּׁה

Information Icon

Represents the concept of  spiritual intentionality, purity, and sanctity—set apart for a higher purpose.

View Badge →

Speech - דָּבָר

Information Icon

Pertains to the power of speech—both positive and negative—including lashon hara, vows, and blessings.

View Badge →

Between a person and G-d - בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם

Information Icon

Mitzvot that define and deepen the relationship between a person and their Creator. These include commandments involving belief, prayer, Shabbat, festivals, sacrifices, and personal holiness — acts rooted in divine connection rather than human interaction.

View Badge →

Between a person and their fellow - בֵּין אָדָם לַחֲבֵרוֹ

Information Icon

Encompasses mitzvot that govern ethical behavior, kindness, and justice in human relationships.

View Badge →
Mitzvah Minute
Mitzvah Minute Logo

Learn more.

Dive into mitzvot, prayer, and Torah study—each section curated to help you learn, reflect, and live with intention. New insights are added regularly, creating an evolving space for spiritual growth.

Luchos
Live a commandment-driven life

Mitzvah

Explore the 613 mitzvot and uncover the meaning behind each one. Discover practical ways to integrate them into your daily life with insights, sources, and guided reflection.

Learn more

Mitzvah #

413

A permanent or temporary [non-Jewish] hired worker must not eat from it
The Luchos - Ten Commandments
Learn this Mitzvah

Mitzvah Highlight

Siddur
Connection through Davening

Tefillah

Learn the structure, depth, and spiritual intent behind Jewish prayer. Dive into morning blessings, Shema, Amidah, and more—with tools to enrich your daily connection.

Learn more

Tefillah

Tefillah sub-header
A Siddur
Learn this Tefillah

Tefillah Focus

A Sefer Torah
Study the weekly Torah portion

Parsha

Each week’s parsha offers timeless wisdom and modern relevance. Explore summaries, key themes, and mitzvah connections to deepen your understanding of the Torah cycle.

Learn more

וְזֹאת הַבְּרָכָה - V'Zot HaBerachah

Haftarah: Joshua, 1:1–18
A Sefer Torah
Learn this Parsha

Weekly Parsha