He Planned to Donate a Mikveh, but the Circumstances Changed
Question
A person wanted to promote a project to build a mikveh in his neighborhood and to support it himself and through others. In time, due to technical and substantive problems, he decided to transfer the land to the local council so that the residents would receive better service.
Until now he has donated a great deal of money, and he wants to have his vow annulled; the grounds for this would be: “Had I known that it would be transferred to them and provide better service, I would not have done this.”
It should also be noted that he did not intend to donate the entire amount from his own money, but rather together with others, and he himself has already donated a respectable sum toward it.
In addition, he did not use the wording of a vow, but rather made a kind of commitment to take care of it.
What should be done in this case so that the stringency of a vow should not apply to him?
Until now he has donated a great deal of money, and he wants to have his vow annulled; the grounds for this would be: “Had I known that it would be transferred to them and provide better service, I would not have done this.”
It should also be noted that he did not intend to donate the entire amount from his own money, but rather together with others, and he himself has already donated a respectable sum toward it.
In addition, he did not use the wording of a vow, but rather made a kind of commitment to take care of it.
What should be done in this case so that the stringency of a vow should not apply to him?
Answer
Shalom u’vrachah.
If the local council is paying for everything and there is no need for your money, you may regret and retract your commitment. However, it is proper that you give the money toward another mikveh.
Source
See Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De’ah, sec. 253, and Shulchan Aruch, Choshen Mishpat, sec. 283.
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