Q. I have a difficult question that has bothered me for a long time. When someone does any mitzva three times the Halacha is that it is considered as a Neder or promise, unless he said before that he is doing this act B’li Neder or without any promissory intentions. Since, there are so many acts that are mitzvos, such as greeting someone, putting some coins in the Pushka before davening, coming to davening, etc. etc. So we are immersed in a sea of Nedarim, oaths that we have to keep constantly and if we miss one time we incur in a terrible sin!!! Can that be true?

A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that we relay on the declaration said on Erev Rosh Hashana in which we assert that anything that can be construed or interpreted as a Neder in the future, is void and invalid and unless we have intention otherwise, it annuls all the above mentioned actions.

Therefore, it is most important, that even women that do not attend Selichos on Erev Rosh Hashana should read that declaration.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a