Vow to Give Charity and Wanting to Retract
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Question
Hello, if someone vowed to give charity, can they retract it?
Answer
Hello,
One who vows to give charity cannot retract it unless they perform a release of vows. However, the poskim have written that releases are not done for vows of charity, and one who does so is excommunicated. Nevertheless, if in a situation where they will not be released from the vow, they will violate it and not give the vowed charity, such as if they have become poor or are struggling financially, it is permitted to release them from the vow.
Source
Shulchan Aruch
Yoreh De'ah, Siman 258, Seif 6, Pitchei Teshuvah there, Sk 8, Aruch HaShulchan Siman 258, Seif 23,
Shut Maharsham, Part 1, Siman 67, D"H Ve'ulam Bedin, and see Shut
Rav Pe'alim, Part 1, Yoreh De'ah, Siman 45, and see Chochmat Adam, Klal 100, Binat Adam, Sha'ar
Isur Ve'Heter, Siman 75, Ot 95, Shut Shoel U'Meshiv, Part 2, Yoreh De'ah,
Siman 144.