Annulment of Vows Before Rosh Hashanah
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Question
What is the reason for annulling vows before Rosh Hashanah?
Answer
Shalom Rav,
One who makes vows or oaths and does not fulfill them commits a very great sin, and the Gemara mentions severe punishments for this, God forbid. Therefore, to prevent these transgressions during the Days of Judgment, all communities have adopted the custom of annulling vows before Rosh Hashanah, and there are different customs regarding the timing of the annulment.
The prevalent custom is to annul the vows already made on the eve of Rosh Hashanah and to make a 'moda'ah' to cancel vows that will be made in the future.
Source
Nedarim 23. Shlah (Page of Teshuva No. Yoma).