Numbers 30:13 - Husband annuls vows — Divine forgiveness follows?

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Hebrew Text

וְאִם־הָפֵר יָפֵר אֹתָם אִישָׁהּ בְּיוֹם שָׁמְעוֹ כָּל־מוֹצָא שְׂפָתֶיהָ לִנְדָרֶיהָ וּלְאִסַּר נַפְשָׁהּ לֹא יָקוּם אִישָׁהּ הֲפֵרָם וַיהוָה יִסְלַח־לָהּ׃

English Translation

But if her husband made them void on the day he heard them; then whatever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of the soul, shall not stand: her husband has made them void; and the Lord shall forgive her.

Transliteration

Ve-im-hafeyr yafeir otam ishah be-yom shamo kol-motza sfateha li-ndareha u-le-isar nafshah lo yakum ishah hafeiram va-Adonai yislach-lah.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאִם־הָפֵר֩ יָפֵ֨ר אֹתָ֥ם ׀ אִישָׁהּ֮ בְּי֣וֹם שׇׁמְעוֹ֒ כׇּל־מוֹצָ֨א שְׂפָתֶ֧יהָ לִנְדָרֶ֛יהָ וּלְאִסַּ֥ר נַפְשָׁ֖הּ לֹ֣א יָק֑וּם אִישָׁ֣הּ הֲפֵרָ֔ם וַיהֹוָ֖ה יִֽסְלַֽח־לָֽהּ׃

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Numbers 30:6) is part of the Torah's discussion of nedarim (vows) and the laws concerning a husband's ability to annul his wife's vows. The passage outlines the conditions under which a husband may nullify his wife's vows on the day he hears them, rendering them invalid. The verse concludes with the assurance that if the vow is properly annulled, Hashem will forgive her for not fulfilling it.

Explanation of Key Terms

"הָפֵר יָפֵר" (hafir yafir) – Rashi explains that the double language emphasizes the husband's authority to annul the vow completely, leaving no residual obligation.
"כָּל־מוֹצָא שְׂפָתֶיהָ" (kol motza sfateha) – This refers to all verbal commitments, including vows (nedarim) and oaths (shevuot), as discussed in the Talmud (Nedarim 2a).
"לִנְדָרֶיהָ וּלְאִסַּר נַפְשָׁהּ" (lindareha ul'issar nafsha) – These terms distinguish between general vows and those involving self-affliction (e.g., fasting or abstaining from pleasures), as explained by Rambam in Hilchot Nedarim (11:1).

Husband's Role in Annulling Vows

According to the Talmud (Nedarim 72a), a husband may annul his wife's vows only on the day he hears them (b'yom sham'o). If he delays, the vow remains binding. The Rambam (Hilchot Nedarim 12:2) clarifies that this power is a unique halachic mechanism to preserve marital harmony, preventing vows from causing strife.

Divine Forgiveness

The phrase "וַיהוָה יִסְלַח־לָהּ" (vaHashem yislach-lah) teaches that once a vow is properly annulled, the woman is not held accountable for failing to fulfill it. The Sforno explains that this underscores Hashem's compassion, recognizing that the annulment was done in accordance with Torah law, and thus no sin remains.

Halachic Implications

The annulment must be explicit—silence does not suffice (Rambam, Hilchot Nedarim 12:4).
If the husband annuls only part of the vow, the remainder stands (Talmud, Nedarim 79a).
The principle applies only to a husband and father (for an unmarried daughter), not to other family members (Rashi on Numbers 30:4).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Nedarim 72a

The verse is discussed in the context of the laws concerning vows and the husband's authority to annul his wife's vows.

📖 Nazir 23a

The verse is referenced in a discussion about the annulment of vows and the conditions under which a husband can annul his wife's vows.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Numbers 30:13 mean in simple terms?
A: Numbers 30:13 discusses the laws of vows (nedarim) made by a married woman. If her husband hears her vow on the same day she makes it and decides to nullify (hafir) it, the vow does not take effect. Hashem forgives her because the vow was canceled by her husband's authority, as explained in the Talmud (Nedarim 72a) and Rashi's commentary.

Q: Why is a husband allowed to nullify his wife's vows?
A: According to Jewish law (based on Torah and Talmudic interpretation), a husband has the authority to nullify certain types of vows made by his wife because marriage creates a shared household responsibility. The Mishnah (Nedarim 10:1-2) and Rambam (Hilchot Nedarim 12:1-2) explain that this applies only to vows that affect marital life or cause self-affliction (issur nefesh). This ensures harmony in the home.

Q: Does this verse mean a woman's word is less valid than a man's?
A: No, Jewish tradition teaches that men and women have equal spiritual standing before Hashem. This law is specific to certain vows within marriage, not a general statement on a woman's validity. The Talmud (Kiddushin 35b) discusses that women are equally obligated in many mitzvot. The husband's role here is a legal mechanism for maintaining shalom bayit (domestic peace), as explained by Rashi and the Midrash (Sifrei Bamidbar 153).

Q: How does the concept of vow nullification apply today?
A: In Orthodox Jewish practice today, the laws of vow nullification (hafarat nedarim) are still relevant, particularly before Rosh Hashanah when many annul past vows in the Kol Nidrei prayer. For married women, the husband's role in nullifying certain vows (as per Numbers 30) is discussed in halachic works like the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah 234). However, most personal vows today are not binding in the same way as in biblical times.

Q: What does it mean that 'Hashem will forgive her' in this verse?
A: The phrase 'Hashem will forgive her' means that when a husband nullifies his wife's vow, she is not held spiritually accountable for not fulfilling it. According to Rashi and the Sifrei, this forgiveness applies because the vow was canceled through proper Torah procedure. It emphasizes that Hashem is compassionate and does not hold a person responsible for a vow that was rightfully annulled according to halacha (Jewish law).