Accustomed to fasting on a yahrzeit and wants to substitute it with additional Torah study.
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Question
Someone who has been accustomed to fasting for many years on the yahrzeit of his father, can he stop this practice and start studying Torah all day instead of fasting?
Answer
He can stop the practice of fasting and study instead, but he needs to perform a release of vows with an opening. This is done by taking three people, and it is preferable that one of them is knowledgeable in the laws of vows, and telling them that he wishes to release his vow, and if he had known he would regret it, he would not have vowed, and they should say to him three times: "You are released, you are released, you are released."
Source
Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, Siman 221, Se'if 1: "If he fasted once, it is assumed he intended to fast all his life, and therefore it is upon him like a vow from the Torah, and he must fast always, and when he is ill or in another situation where he needs to eat, a release is required. If he specified that he does not accept it as a vow, no release is needed. It is customary to light a yahrzeit candle." Many of the later authorities have instructed that it is preferable to increase Torah study on that day instead of fasting.
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