2,779. A Father Who Prohibits Benefit to His Son

Wrapping up the case of Reuvein, who is prohibited to benefit from Shimon.

Hilchos Nedarim 6:17

If Reuvein and Shimon were working together, such as in the field, they should work far away from one another out of concern that Shimon might come to help Reuvein. If a father vows prohibiting his son to benefit from him because the son doesn’t study Torah, the father may fill up a water jug, light a lamp or roast a small fish for the son. This is because the father’s intention was only to keep the son from significant benefit, and these things aren’t important to the son.

Hilchos Nedarim 6:18

If someone made an oath or a vow not to speak to someone, he may write to that person or speak to a third party even if the one who is prohibited hears the message that one who vowed wants him to hear. This is a ruling of the Geonim.