In this week's Torah portion, Moses tells the Jewish people of many laws they need to observe. One of the laws that is of utmost importance is when it comes to making a vow to G-d. Regarding this, Moses said:
"You shall observe and carry out what emerges from your lips..." (Deuteronomy 23:24).
If one were to make a vow or promise to G-d, it is something that must be fulfilled. While there are ways in Jewish law to have these vows annulled, nonetheless, the intent when one makes the vow is that they plan on honoring it.
Sadly, most people today speak with little or no regard for carrying out the words they say to someone else. It's incredible just how often someone will say something with which he has absolutely no intention whatsoever of following through. In addition, since the Torah is a guidebook for living, how does keeping your word lead to having a happy and fulfilling life?
The answer is that when someone keeps their word, they will actually experience a great amount of pleasure. The reason for this is that a person can only feel good about themselves when they make good choices. Making poor choices will inevitably give a person a low self-image, whereas making positive and healthy choices will make them feel great about themselves.
When you follow through with the simplest of declarations, like "I'll be there at 8:00 PM," it shows that you value your word and what you say is important to you. But here's the thing - the only way you'll care about keeping your word is if you care about yourself. But the reverse is just as true - the more you keep your word, the better you'll feel about yourself. This is actually self-esteem math; it works every time.
When you honor what you say - no matter what it might be - you're actually making a bold statement of just how important your word is. And again, the reason keeping your word makes you feel terrific is that only someone who has a high self-worth cares about following through with what they say. The more you do what it is that you say you'll do - even the simplest of commitments - you'll increasingly feel better and better about yourself.
RABBI ADAM LIEBERMAN
