Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, is a time of deep introspection, repentance, and atonement for our most serious sins. Yet intriguingly, we begin this solemn day not by confronting these grave transgressions but with Kol Nidrei, a prayer focused on the annulment of vows. Sung in a haunting melody, the atmosphere is heavy and somber, setting the tone for the day ahead.
So why does the day of atonement begin specifically with Kol Nidrei, a communal prayer about our vows and promises?
To understand why we begin with vows, we must understand the central role of speech in Jewish thought. In Judaism, words are not merely a way to communicate – they are creative forces, the building blocks of creation itself.
In Jewish thought, speech is not merely a means of communication but a creative force that shapes reality, as seen in the Torah’s opening: The Creator said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Human speech reflects this divine power, binding us spiritually and legally through our words. This idea is echoed throughout the Torah, where words are seen as the building blocks of reality, reflecting divine truth – בִּדְבַר ה’ שָׁמַיִם נַעֲשׂוּ.
R’ Shlomo Farhi highlights how, in this telling, truth is a fundamental prerequisite of creation so that when the Creator speaks, reality conforms to it; speech creates reality.
In Jewish thought, human speech reflects this divine act of creation. When we make a vow, we harness this creative power to bind ourselves spiritually and legally. Breaking a vow is thus not just a minor transgression; it disrupts the very fabric of reality we help create with our words:
לֹא יַחֵל דְּבָרוֹ – He shall not profane his word.
Vows are a form of speech that harnesses the same creative force that brought the world into existence, binding us spiritually and legally. Even the simple reading suggests that breaking a vow profanes what ought to be sacred and is a form of self-desecration; our sages suggest that breaking a vow is like violating the entire Torah.
This respect for the power of words leads our sages to caution us to guard our speech carefully and that, arguably, nothing is better than silence; words hold gravity and are not to be treated casually. As the Rambam teaches, a wise person measures their words, speaking only after careful consideration, for nothing holds more gravity than speech.
The Reishis Chochma shares a shocking insight that explains why we start Yom Kippur with Kol Nidrei; a person who wants their prayers to be taken seriously must be someone who honors their word and takes their word seriously. Words that are casually disregarded strip the speaker of credibility in their relationships with others and also with the Creator.
This ancient understanding of speech as foundational to trust is mirrored in modern psychology. Studies show that people who consistently keep their promises are more trusted and respected as leaders. In both realms, integrity in small matters builds the foundation for reliability in more significant commitments. Before asking forgiveness for our major sins, we must first acknowledge and correct our everyday failures in honoring our words, promises, and intentions.
Breaking vows may not be the most severe sin, but it is symbolically critical. The opening of Yom Kippur with Kol Nidrei is not about the scale of the sin but about the foundational role that accountability and integrity play in all of our actions. As we approach God with requests of forgiveness and blessings, we must first demonstrate that we treat our own words with reverence.
The foundation of all moral behavior begins with trustworthiness. Over time, societies and relationships are built or destroyed based on how seriously people take their words. When words are treated casually, it erodes the moral fabric that sustains a just society.
Yom Kippur is a day of asking for divine mercy, but it begins with an acknowledgment – if we are not honest with ourselves and others about small things like our vows, how can we expect to be taken seriously in larger matters like our repentance and commitments to do better?
As we welcome Yom Kippur, we affirm that the universe was built with words, and the world we inhabit is shaped by the promises we keep. As we approach the Creator in repentance, with the hope our prayers be taken seriously, we open with Kol Nidrei, because we are people who take our words seriously. If you just keep your word, the year ahead will be better just for that alone.