How does a Jewish person swear an oath? Or should Jewish people affirm affidavits instead?

Judaism is one of the most ancient and well known religions on earth.

When it comes to making an affidavit, people often want to know whether a Jewish person should swear an oath or make an affirmation.

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The question may be asked by the Jewish affiant themselves, or a notary public might wish to know whether their Jewish affiant should affirm or swear their affidavit.

The answer to the question of swearing or affirming is the same for Jewish people as it is with anyone else: it is up to the individual!

This means that some Jewish people swear oaths when making an affidavit and others do not. There is no “right” or “wrong” answer – different people are entitled to have different views on the matter even within the same religion.

How does a Jewish person swear an affidavit?

Many Jewish people prefer to affirm rather than swear an oath when making affidavit.

For those that do swear, the usual oath is in the same form as a Christian oath. That means the Jewish affiant will say:

“I [name of person making the affidavit] swear by Almighty God that this is my name and that the contents of this my affidavit are true and correct.”

They might also make their oath in question and answer form. To do this, the person administering the oath (usually a notary public) will ask the following question:

“Do you swear by Almighty God that [name of person making affidavit] is your name and that the contents of this your affidavit are true and correct?”

Do Jewish people use religious books when swearing an oath?

Often people of religion prefer to take their oath by placing their hand on a religious text although there is no absolute requirement that they do so provided the oath taken binds their conscience.

People of the Jewish faith who take oaths can have different views about whether a religious book should be used and, if so, what it is.

Generally it is accepted that a Christian Bible is inappropriate for a Jewish person to use to take an oath because the New Testament is not a part of the Jewish faith.

A Jewish person may use the Old Testament to take an oath or a Hebrew Bible. Sometimes the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament) are used.

And sometimes no religious text at all is used. Once again it is very much up to the individual making the affidavit so it is important to ask them.