For the source text click/tap here: Nedarim 70
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Our next mishnah continues to discuss the ability of fathers and husbands to annul their daughters’ or wives’ vows.
If the father dies, his authority does not pass over to the husband. If the husband dies, his authority passes over to the father.
The mishnah is still discussing the betrothed young girl. Generally, both the father and husband must jointly annul her vows. If, while she is in this status, her father dies, her husband still cannot annul her vows on his own. This is because she is only betrothed and not fully married. A husband’s right to annul his wife’s vows on his own begins only at the point of marriage. In contrast, should her betrothed husband die, her father may annul her vows. This is because she was never fully married, nor has she reached majority age.
We further explore women’s vows especially the story of Jepthah.