יום ו Date: 18 Nissan, 5774 (4/18/14) – Beitzah#19 {Eliezer}

TooMuch

[19] Rabbi Elazar ben Rabbi Shimon: The Torah mentions the festival of Sukkos to teach the prohibition of Baal Teacheir. If one pledged to bring an offering on the day prior to Sukkos, he will have violated this prohibition if Sukkos passes and he had not brought the offering that he pledged to bring.
R’ Adler: Why does Rabbi Elazar the son of Rabbi Shimon maintains that one violates the prohibition of Baal Teacheir even in the course of just one festival. The Midrash states that subsequent to Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur, one is engaged in the performance of numerous mitzvos, and he does not even have time to sin. Thus, if one has the time to contemplate making a pledge that will require even more of him, the Torah mandates that he fulfill his pledge immediately, so that he will demonstrate that his pledge is truly sincere and not just a “New Year’s resolution.”

E’s Lesson: We should always strive to constantly improve ourselves, but never bite off more than we can chew.