Mitzvos Relating to Our Fellow Man

28: Keeping One's Word

"You shall watch what comes out of your mouth, and fulfill all your vows to Hashem" (Devarim 23:24)

We are commanded to watch what we say and to fulfill all of our promises. It is important to remember that a person's word is holy. We should not profane our words (See Bemidbar 30:3).

In Pirkei Avos (1:17) we learn: "THe best thing for one's physical health is silence." David HaMelech proclaims in Tehillim (34:13), "Who desires life? Guard your tongue..."

The Gemara teaches that is is better not to make any vows to avoid the risk of falling short of fulfilling them (Chullin 2a).

Text Copyright © 2007 by Rabbi Moshe Goldberger and Torah.org.