Negative Mitzvah 61: We are forbidden to neglect an oath
Leviticus 19:12 "And you shall not swear falsely by my Name"

We like our food to be appealing and fresh, and to taste good.

If food doesn't look appetizing or it is stale, we will not put it in our mouths.

But what about those words that come out of our mouths?

We must be extremely careful about speaking without thinking.

We should never speak in anger, or make empty promises or tell lies.

The Torah wants us to be very careful when we talk, because we are responsible for everything we say.

If we make a promise or take an oath, we must make sure to keep it.

We are forbidden to break any oaths we have made.

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Advice on anger:

Prepare yourself with this meditation, and when you feel anger overcoming you, run through it in your mind:

Know that all that befalls you comes from a single source, that there is nothing outside of that oneness to be blamed for any event in the universe. There is no other force but G-d. And although this person who insulted you, or hurt you, or damaged your property -- he is granted free choice and is held culpable for his decision to do wrong -- That is his problem. That it had to happen to you -- that is your problem.

From: Bringing Heaven Down to Earth by Tzvi Freeman - tzvif@aol.com