“If a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to impose an obligation on himself, he shall not break his pledge; he must carry out all that has crossed his lips.” — Numbers 30:3 The Torah teaches that our words matter—not just the ones we speak to God, but the promises we make to each other. Even something as small as saying, "Yeah, I’ll come out tonight," holds weight. How many times have we made casual plans with friends, genuinely intending to go, only to cancel at the last minute with a flimsy excuse? Often, it’s not malice—it’s fatigue, comfort, or hesitation. But the Torah reminds us that our instinct to say “yes” was a good one. That impulse—to connect, to show up, to be present—is worth honoring. When we follow through on those small commitments, we build trust—not just with others, but with ourselves. We train our instincts toward goodness, and then we develop the habit of acting on them. So next time you say yes to dinner, to helping, to showing up—keep your word. Not because it’s dramatic, but because it's holy. Follow through. The first instinct to do good is often the voice of your best self. ​​​​​​
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