Our Gemara on Amud Beis quotes Vayikra 5:4 regarding oaths: Or when a person (nefesh) utters with his mouth an oath, to deprive or to bestow, made as a man… If he forgets and violates it, he brings a sacrifice. Noam Elimelech (Vayikra 5:1) interprets mystically: the utterance is a Tzaddik’s ability to affect physical reality through holy speech. Nefesh (soul) suggests a “soulful person.” In Jewish philosophy, words wield power, with psychological parallels. Our thoughts, shaped by words and internal scripts, create realities. Even an ordinary person’s speech matters, per Berachos 7a: “Do not take the blessings of an ordinary person lightly.” A Tzaddik’s speech, however, can reverse hopeless situations.
Noam Elimelech explains how Tzaddikim achieve this. Ascetic Tzaddikim fast, softening divine judgment via oaths of abstention. Another kind of Tzaddik partakes in pleasures with purity, serving God through oaths of bestowing, activating blessings. Both succeed only with honest self-awareness, hinted by the phrase, “made as a man.” Oaths twisted by ego, not humility, fail to make one a Tzaddik. Noam Elimelech underscores that both extremes—abstention or holy partaking—require sincere devotion.
Translations Courtesy of Sefaria, except when, sometimes, I disagree with the translation
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Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, LCSW-R, LMFT, DHL is a psychotherapist who works with high conflict couples and families. He can be reached via email at simchafeuerman@gmail.com