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Hatarat Nedarim is the annulment of vows, which can sometimes be used to annul a vow by a group of three people.  
Hatarat Nedarim and Shevuot is the annulment of vows and oaths, which can sometimes be used to annul a vow by a group of three people.  
For general laws of Nedarim see [[Hilchot Nedarim]].
For general laws of Nedarim see [[Hilchot Nedarim]].
== Nedarim Subject to Hatarah==
== Nedarim and Shevuot Subject to Hatarah==
# The [[Geonim]] introduced strict safeguards against their generations' imprudence in taking Nedarim by declaring Nedarim and Shevuot impossible to annul, but many Rishonim dismissed their sheltering attitude as a stumbling block for those who did take Nedarim and Shevuot. If one doesn't annul their Nedarim, they'll cease to seek annulment and just violate their Nedarim intentionally. Therefore, it's better to annul the Nedarim than let them be violated, even if it was taken with Hashem's name.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 230:1</ref> Some recommend not getting involved unless it's for a Mitvah purpose, community peace, or the like, and not to annul Nedarim that have a trace of sin either.<ref>Beit Yosef and Rama Yoreh Deah 230:1</ref> Others also advise the Chacham to impose a monetary or fasting penalty on the one seeking Hatarah to discourage his taking further Nedarim.<ref>Shach Yoreh Deah 230:1</ref>
# The [[Geonim]] introduced strict safeguards against their generations' imprudence in taking Nedarim by declaring [[Nedarim]] and [[Shevuot]] impossible to annul, but many Rishonim dismissed their sheltering attitude as a stumbling block for those who did take [[Nedarim]] and [[Shevuot]]. If one doesn't annul his Nedarim, he'll cease to seek annulment and just violate his Nedarim intentionally. Therefore, it's better to annul the Nedarim than let them be violated, even if it was taken with Hashem's name.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 230:1</ref> Some recommend not getting involved unless it's for a Mitvah purpose, community peace, or the like, and not to annul Nedarim that have a trace of sin either.<ref>Beit Yosef and Rama Yoreh Deah 230:1, Ben Ish Chai (Shanah Shniah, Re'eh 24). See Birkei Yosef Yoreh Deah 230:1 and 234:1</ref> Others also advise the Chacham to impose a monetary or fasting penalty on the one seeking Hatarah to discourage his taking further Nedarim.<ref>Shach Yoreh Deah 230:1</ref>
# If one performed a good practice 3 times and didn't say he was doing it Bli Neder and now he wants to nullify the practice, he should perform Hatarat Nedarim. <ref>See Shulchan Aruch YD 214:1, Minchat Shlomo 1:91:20</ref>
# If one performed a good practice 3 times and didn't say he was doing it Bli Neder and now he wants to nullify the practice, he should perform Hatarat Nedarim. <ref>See Shulchan Aruch YD 214:1, Minchat Shlomo 1:91:20</ref>
# If a person took upon themselves to learn daf yomi and now he wants to change that he should do hatarat nedarim since it is a neder to learn a fixed amount of Torah.<ref>[https://www.torahanytime.com/#/lectures?v=90414 Rav Yitzchak Yosef in Motzei Shabbat Shiur Parshat Shoftim 5779 min 18]</ref>
==Bet Din==
==Bet Din==
===How Many Dayanim===
===How Many Dayanim===
# Hatarat Nedarim should be done in front of three people who know how Hatarat Nedarim functions.<Ref>[http://www.sefaria.org/Shulchan_Arukh,_Yoreh_De'ah.228.1?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en Shulchan Aruch YD 228:1] writes that one may do Hatarat Nedarim in front of 3 hedyotot. The Shach YD 228:2 explains that they don't need to be knowledgeable in halacha as long as they know how Hatarat Nedarim works.</ref>
# Hatarat Nedarim should be done in front of three people who know how Hatarat Nedarim functions.<ref>[http://www.sefaria.org/Shulchan_Arukh,_Yoreh_De'ah.228.1?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en Shulchan Aruch YD 228:1] writes that one may do Hatarat Nedarim in front of 3 hedyotot. The Shach YD 228:2 explains that they don't need to be knowledgeable in halacha as long as they know how Hatarat Nedarim works. Ben Ish Chai (Shanah Shniah, Re'eh 24)</ref>
# Even though according to the letter of the law an expert individual (Yachid Mumcheh) can annul Nedarim on his own, we do not have anyone who fits this status nowadays according to the Shulchan Aruch.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 228:1</ref>
# Even though according to the letter of the law an expert individual (Yachid Mumcheh) can annul Nedarim on his own, we do not have anyone who fits this status nowadays according to the Shulchan Aruch.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 228:1</ref>
# A Beit Din of two people cannot perform Hatarat Nedarim.<ref>Ben Ish Chai (Shanah Shniah, Re'eh 24)</ref>
# It's recommended to perform Hatarat Nedarim in front of ten people so that one is able to annul a Nidduy Chalom.<ref>Chazon Ovadyah (p. 263)</ref>
# It's recommended to perform Hatarat Nedarim in front of ten people so that one is able to annul a Nidduy Chalom.<ref>Chazon Ovadyah (p. 263)</ref>
# According to Rav Tzvi Pesach Frank, seemingly only the majority of the Dayanim need to agree to annul the vow, like by monetary cases, and not all of them.<ref>Shu"t Har Tzvi Yoreh Deah 189. He cites Yevamot 25b as a proof, but Chacham Ben Tzion Abba Shaul (Kitvei HaTalmidim ad loc, printed in Yeshurun vol. 38 page 221, rejects his proof.</ref>
# According to Rav Tzvi Pesach Frank, seemingly only the majority of the Dayanim need to agree to annul the vow, like by monetary cases, and not all of them.<ref>Shu"t Har Tzvi Yoreh Deah 189. He cites Yevamot 25b as a proof, but Chacham Ben Tzion Abba Shaul (Kitvei HaTalmidim ad loc, printed in Yeshurun vol. 38 page 221, rejects his proof.</ref>
===Who May Sit on the Beit Din===
===Who May Sit on the Beit Din===
# One may not perform Hatarat Nedarim in the location of his Rebbe or someone greater than him without permission.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 228:2</ref>
# One may not perform Hatarat Nedarim in the location of his Rebbe or someone greater than him without permission.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 228:2</ref>
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==Procedure==
==Procedure==
# Hatarat Nedarim should be done in a language that one understands, otherwise it isn't valid.<ref>Chayei Adam 138:8, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 128:16. See Rama Yoreh Deah 228:3</ref>
# Hatarat Nedarim should be done in a language that one understands, otherwise it isn't valid.<ref>Chayei Adam 138:8, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 128:16. See Rama Yoreh Deah 228:3</ref>
# The judges should sit for Hatarat Nedarim and the petitioner should stand.<ref>Shulchan Aruch YD 228:2-3 writes that the judges may perform Hatart Nedarim while stand if they uproot the Neder using Charata (regret) but should sit if they are uprooting the Neder using a Petach (a opening). Shach Yoreh Deah 228:9 writes that since the minhag is always to uproot a Neder using a Petach, the minhag is that the judges sit for the Hatarat Nedarim. Taz Yoreh Deah 228:7 writes that the petitioner need not stand, but the Shach also writes the minhag is that he does stand. Rabbi Akiva Eiger (comments on Shulchan Aruch YD 228:1) quotes the Maharikash who argues that the petitioner must stand, however, after the fact he fulfilled his obligation he he said it sitting.</ref>
# The judges should sit for Hatarat Nedarim and the petitioner should stand.<ref>Shulchan Aruch YD 228:2-3 writes that the judges may perform Hatart Nedarim while standing if they uproot the Neder using Charata (regret) but should sit if they are uprooting the Neder using a Petach (a opening). Shach Yoreh Deah 228:9 writes that since the minhag is always to uproot a Neder using a Petach, the minhag is that the judges sit for the Hatarat Nedarim. <br />
Taz Yoreh Deah 228:7 writes that the petitioner need not stand, but the Shach also writes the minhag is that he does stand. Rabbi Akiva Eiger (comments on Shulchan Aruch YD 228:1) quotes the Maharikash who argues that the petitioner must stand, however, after the fact he fulfilled his obligation if he said it sitting.</ref>
# The judges repeat "Muttar Lach," "Mufar Lach," or "Machul Lach" three times.<ref>Though, according to the Rambam, once is sufficient, the Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 228:3 recommends three times to concretize the matter. Shach Yoreh Deah 228:6</ref>
# The judges repeat "Muttar Lach," "Mufar Lach," or "Machul Lach" three times.<ref>Though, according to the Rambam, once is sufficient, the Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 228:3 recommends three times to concretize the matter. Shach Yoreh Deah 228:6</ref>
=== Charatah and Petach ===
=== Charatah and Petach ===
# The simplest means of annulling a Neder is through the sincere regret (Charatah) of the one who took the Neder (the Noder). If such Charatah exists, then the Beit Din may proceed and annul the Neder, but, if it does not, they must search for a different way out, a Petach. For example, one who takes a Neder not to benefit from someone who wronged him may can have it annulled with just Charatah if he discovers that the individual did not actually wrong him and therefore regrets the Neder. At the same time, if he does not regret the Neder but rather now seeks Hanaah from the individual for some other reason, can not immediately have his Neder annulled. It must rather be scrutinized by a Beit Din until they find an alternative door out, a Petach.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 228:4</ref>
# The simplest means of annulling a Neder is through the sincere regret (Charatah) of the one who took the Neder (the Noder). If such Charatah exists, then the Beit Din may proceed and annul the Neder, but, if it does not, they must search for a different way out, a Petach. For example, one who takes a Neder not to benefit from someone who wronged him, can have it annulled with just Charatah if he discovers that the individual did not actually wrong him and therefore regrets the Neder. At the same time, if he does not regret the Neder but rather now seeks Hanaah from the individual for some other reason, he can not immediately have his Neder annulled. It must rather be scrutinized by a Beit Din until they find an alternative door out, a Petach.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 228:4</ref>
# Insincere, phony regret put on just to convince the Beit Din to annul the Neder leaves the Hatarah ineffective.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 228:4</ref>
# Insincere, phony regret put on just to convince the Beit Din to annul the Neder leaves the Hatarah ineffective.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 228:4</ref>


==Whose Nedarim Can Be Annulled==
==Whose Nedarim Can Be Annulled==
# Minors need not perform Hatarat Nedarim.<ref>Shearim Metzuyanim BeHalacha 128:24</ref>
# Minors need not perform Hatarat Nedarim.<ref>Shearim Metzuyanim BeHalacha 128:24</ref>
# The common practice is that woman do not perform [[hatarat nedarim]] and rely on the Kol Nidrei said prior to [[Yom Kippur]]. Woman may appoint her husband to do Hatarat Nedarim on her behalf and it is effective, yet one shouldn't convene a bet din specially for this purpose.<ref>Rav Schachter in a shiur entitled [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/818020/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/Inyonei_Rosh_Hashana "Inyonei Rosh Hashana" (min 40-3) on yutorah.org]</ref>
# The common practice is that woman do not perform [[hatarat nedarim]] and rely on the Kol Nidrei said prior to [[Yom Kippur]]. A woman may appoint her husband to do Hatarat Nedarim on her behalf and it is effective, yet one shouldn't convene a bet din specially for this purpose.<ref>Rav Schachter in a shiur entitled [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/818020/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/Inyonei_Rosh_Hashana "Inyonei Rosh Hashana" (min 40-3) on yutorah.org]. see also [http://www.dailyhalacha.com/displayRead.asp?readID=375 Rabbi Eli Mansour] who writes that although women are required to make Hatarat Nedarim, customarily a husband represents his wife when he stands before the Bet Din for Hatarat Nedarim. In fact, the text that we use explicitly mentions that one seeks absolution of his own vows as well as the vows of his wife. Furthermore, women customarily attend the Kol Nidreh service on Yom Kippur, which is also effective in annulling one’s vows.</ref>


==Time==
==Time==
# Hatarat Nedarim may be done at night and with relatives. <ref>Shulchan Aruch YD 228:3 writes that Hatarat Nedarim may be done at night and with relatives. </ref>Some say that although Hatarat Nedarim may be preformed if one of the judges is a relative of the petitioner, it may not be performed if two of the judges of the Bet Din are relatives to one another.<ref> [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/782120/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/Inyonei_Yom_Hakippurim Rabbi Hershel Schachter in a shiur on Inyonei Yom Kippur (min 40-2)] quotes Rav Aharon Soloveitchik as having ruled that while a relative could perform Hatarat Nedarim in front of a Bet Din with his relative as one of the judges, one may not perform Hatarat Nedarim in front of a Bet Din which has two judges who are relatives of one another. A support for this ruling is Rabbi Akiva Eiger (comments on Shulchan Aruch YD 228:1) who writes that while relatives can serve as a Bet Din for Hatarat Nedarim, a woman can't serve on such a Bet Din.  
# Hatarat Nedarim may be done at night and with relatives. <ref>Shulchan Aruch YD 228:3 writes that Hatarat Nedarim may be done at night and with relatives. </ref>Some say that although Hatarat Nedarim may be performed if one of the judges is a relative of the petitioner, it may not be performed if two of the judges of the Bet Din are related to one another.<ref> [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/782120/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/Inyonei_Yom_Hakippurim Rabbi Hershel Schachter in a shiur on Inyonei Yom Kippur (min 40-2)] quotes Rav Aharon Soloveitchik as having ruled that while a relative could perform Hatarat Nedarim in front of a Bet Din with his relative as one of the judges, one may not perform Hatarat Nedarim in front of a Bet Din which has two judges who are related to one another. A support for this ruling is Rabbi Akiva Eiger (comments on Shulchan Aruch YD 228:1) who writes that while relatives can serve as a Bet Din for Hatarat Nedarim, a woman can't serve on such a Bet Din.  
* However Rav Shmuel Wosner (M'bet Levi 5754, p. 15, n. 3) held that the judges could be relatives to one another.</ref>
* However Rav Shmuel Wosner (M'bet Levi 5754, p. 15, n. 3) held that the judges could be relatives to one another.</ref>
# For all the details of Hatarat Nedarim on Shabbat, see [[Nedarim on Shabbat]]. In general, one should not do Hatarat Nedarim on [[Shabbat]] if the Hatarat Nedarim isn't needed for [[Shabbat]]. For a congregation there is room to be lenient regarding performing Hatarat Nedarim on [[Shabbat]] or on [[Yom Kippur]] itself.<ref>Chazon Ovadyah (Yamim Noraim p. 263)</ref>
# For all the details of Hatarat Nedarim on Shabbat, see [[Nedarim on Shabbat]]. In general, one should not do Hatarat Nedarim on [[Shabbat]] if the Hatarat Nedarim isn't needed for [[Shabbat]]. For a congregation there is room to be lenient regarding performing Hatarat Nedarim on [[Shabbat]] or on [[Yom Kippur]] itself.<ref>Chazon Ovadyah (Yamim Noraim p. 263)</ref>