עברית
Women
Can a woman appoint an agent to annul her vows?
Question
How does a woman annul a vow she has made? Does she send someone to annul it before three people, or does she herself annul it before three people? Thank you very much.
Answer
Greetings,
A woman cannot appoint an agent to annul her vows unless she is married. In that case, she may appoint her husband as her agent to annul her vows before three people.
Sources: It is ruled in the Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah (Siman 228, Se'if 16), that the person who made the vow must come before the annulers when they annul it, and one does not appoint an agent to annul his vow. However, regarding a married woman, the Shulchan Aruch there (Siman 235, Se'if 56) writes that her husband may be appointed as an agent to annul his wife's vows. The Shulchan Aruch specifies this applies on the condition that three people are assembled, though he does not gather them himself. Nevertheless, the Shach (commentary, S'kiah 70) explains that the reason is concern that she might not wish the matter to become public by gathering people. Accordingly, the Ateret Zahav (Halbus) writes that if she gave him permission to also gather the three and annul the vows, he may do so.
Regards,
Hillel Meirs
