Q&A: A Vow in a Dream
A Vow in a Dream
Question
Hello Michi,
The Rashba (cited by the Ran, Nedarim 8b) holds that even a vow made in a dream requires annulment. The Tzafnat Pa’neach understands his view to mean that a vow in a dream expresses a person’s true will. Does that mean that the requirement of explicit verbal articulation was fulfilled in the dream as well (and likewise regarding charitable vows), or is the concern that perhaps the vow was actually spoken while awake (and in the case of charitable vows, in any event it takes effect by virtue of being generous of heart)?
I saw the Tzafnat Pa’neach quoted in your book In the Shadow of Wisdom, p. 30.
Answer
The vow was not spoken while awake. The claim is that this is the person’s true will.
As for explicit verbal articulation, one of two possibilities applies: 1. Speech in a dream is also speech. 2. Speech is required only in order to verify that this is indeed the person’s true will (firm intent), and when we have another indication of that, speech is unnecessary. That is probably Rabbenu Tam’s view.