Q. Several congregations offer Hatarat Nedarim (annulment of vows and oaths) Erev Rosh Hashana to be done from far by zoom on this pandemic days. Is that permitted lekatchila (on the onset)?
A. Poskim disagree if one can do hataras nedarim by a written request. Ran and Rosh (Nedarim 8) permit. It stands to reason that if it can be done in writing, it certainly can be accomplished by direct contact by phone, when questions could be asked and information gathered.
However, Rambam (H. Shavuos 1: 4) as explained by Ridbaz (ibid.) seems to rule that it cannot be done by a written request. See also Shulchan Aruch (Y.D. 228: 16) regarding if a shaliach or representative can be used for hataras nedarim.
Kuntres Beis Dovid (129) quotes Horav Y. Zilbershtein Shlit'a as permitting hataras nedarim by phone only in cases of need. Yosef Daas (17: 30) is similarly lenient in need on Rabbinical nedarim.
Shevet Hakehosi 4- 239 and Kol Nidrei 19 n. 7, seem to be more lenient.
They all require the presence of a proper Beis Din seating together.
One may argue that a zoom meeting, where the participants can also view each other may be even better, still Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that it is only permitted in case of need.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a
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