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Vows/Promises to Hashem

Question:

I have OCD/Anxiety Disorder and Hypochondria. A few years back, I got my hair dyed. I had read a story about a woman who suffered a severe allergic reaction to hair dye. I panicked in the salon after the stylist dyed my hair. Later that night, I cut my hair off to my chin with scissors. I also promised or made a vow that I wouldn’t dye my hair with any dye (natural or chemical). Was this vow valid or should I not worry about keeping it? I know vows and promises are important in Judaism. I feel like I might sin breaking it. But I feel it’s not my fault if it’s related to disorder.

Answer:

If you made a vow not to dye your hair and the vow was valid, (I don’t know the exact wording that you used), then you have to keep the vow, and it would be a sin to break it. If you feel that you are not able to keep the vow, you should speak to a qualified Rov so that he can do what is called “hataras nidarim” invalidation of vows. If you need help finding a Rov in your area please let us know, and we will try to help you with that.

 

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