Simon Says, July 29, 2022

This week’s Torah portion is Matot-Masei.  Matot starts with vows to God.

Moses spoke to the chiefs of the tribes, relating what God commanded.  If a man vows to God or he takes an oath to an obligation, he must deliver on his vow or his oath. 

If a woman who lives in her father’s household vows to God or takes an oath to an obligation, she was subjected to her father’s veto.  If a woman who lives in her father’s household vows to God or takes an oath to an obligation and she gets married, she was subjected to her husband’s veto.

Nowadays, since Kol Nidrei (written 1000-1500 years ago), every person annuls his or her own vows.  It took 2000 years, but men and women are equals in the eyes of God.