User:Rgerlach2

Bli Neder

A "neder" is a formal commitment. "B'li Neder" means "without making a formal commitment.

The most important aspect of any human endeavor, even business – is the ability to trust. That depends on making and meeting of agreements. That is why paying attention to vows is what we do on this most sacred night of the year. That is why we often add to the end of a statement the Hebrew words, bli neder. Bli neder means, "This statement is not a vow." "I'll try but I can't guarantee it." "I think this is true but don't rely on it." When don't we add bli neder? When we say, "You can count on me." "I give you my word." "I'm signing on the dotted line." "You can rely on these figures." "This is the truth." The importance of the truth and reliability of what we say and what we commit to, is why there is an entire tractate of the Talmud, nedarim, just on the subject of vows.

http://www.tbeaptos.org/sermons/litvak_kn5763.shtml