6107 . Never Say Neder!

A. On a similar question 880 we wrote:

Q. I have often wondered if we make hatarat nedarim on Erev Rosh Hashana, why do we recite Kol Nidre? Do any of the two declarations actually work?

A. The source for the Kol Nidei declaration is the Mishna in Nedarim (23a-b) “If one desires that his nedarim should not take effect, he should declare on Rosh Hashana that all his nedarim to be expressed until next Rosh Hashana, should not be valid.” Rosh (Yuma Ch. 8: 28) explains this to be the reason for reciting Kol Nidrei in Yom Kipur, when everyone attends shul, as we also find (Yechezkel 40: 1) that Yom Kipur is also named Rosh Hashana. He adds that this declaration will be effective only if at the time of saying the neder, one does not recall saying that declaration. Rosh (ibid.) after quoting Rabenu Tam that Kol Nidrei is a declaration for the future, mentions that the earlier tradition was to consider Kol Nidrei an annulment on nedarim past. There is also the opinion of the Nimukei Yosef who maintains that Kol Nidrei is not an annulment for future declarations but rather a prayer to Hashem for not being punished for unkept promises. See next question