For the source text click/tap here: Nedarim 78
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§ Rabbi Ḥanina says: A husband who is silent and does not formally nullify his wife’s vow in order to annoy [lemeikat] her, but intends to nullify it later, can nullify it even from now until ten days later.
Our Gemora mentions a case where a wife pronounces a vow and the husband remains silent in order to distress her. He makes her think that he wishes to confirm the vow; however, in truth, he plans on revoking it at a later time.
We examine the silent treatment in marriage as abuse, as well as in parenting with specific reference to the character of Reb Saunders and his silent treatment of his son Reuven in Chaim Potok’s The Chosen.