אֵ֣שֶׁת כְּ֭סִילוּת הֹֽמִיָּ֑ה פְּ֝תַיּ֗וּת וּבַל־יָ֥דְעָה מָּֽה׃
Ona, pani głupota, namiętna jest, błaźnica, i bez wiedzy wszelkiej.
Bamidbar Rabbah
“A spirit of jealousy overcame him” – that is what is written: “I find bitterer than death [the woman]” (Ecclesiastes 7:26). How is she “bitterer than death”? It is because she causes him suffering in this world. Why? It is because he strays after her, and ultimately she causes him to descend into Gehenna, as it is stated: “For her house sinks down toward death” (Proverbs 2:18), “to the grave her steps are directed” (Proverbs 5:5).
His students asked Rav Huna, father of Rabbi Aḥa: You have taught us, our teacher: The adulterer and the adulteress violate the Ten Commandments. Regarding nine of them we understand, but regarding Shabbat, we do not understand. How so? Regarding, “I am [the Lord your God]” (Exodus 20:2), it is because anyone who commits adultery with the wife of another denies the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated: “Each would neigh to his neighbor’s wife. Will I not reckon for these, the utterance of the Lord, and will My soul not be avenged on a nation like this? Enter within its walls and destroy, but do not engender annihilation; remove its offshoots, as they are not for the Lord” (Jeremiah 5:8–10). Regarding “you shall not have [other gods]” (Exodus 20:3), as it is written in that regard: “For I am the Lord your God, a zealous [kana] God” (Exodus 20:5), and twice it is stated regarding the sota: “A spirit of jealousy [kina] overcame him…” Why twice? It is because she arouses kina in both her husband and the Holy One blessed be He.35Kina in the sense of jealousy in her husband and in the sense of zealotry in the Holy One blessed be He. Likewise, it says: “For it is a meal offering of jealousy [kenaot]” (Numbers 5:15), as they are two kenaot.36Kenaot is the plural form of kina. Regarding, “You shall not take [the name of the Lord your God in vain]” (Exodus 20:7), as he commits adultery and takes an oath that he did not do so. Regarding, “honor your father” (Exodus 20:12), as one who commits adultery with the sota, she becomes pregnant from him but she tells her husband: It is from you that I am pregnant. The fetus grows and honors her husband in the belief that he is his father, but he is not his father, and he passes in the marketplace and curses the adulterer in the belief that he is not his father, but he is his father.
Regarding, “you shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13), as the adulterer enters with the intent to kill or be killed. Regarding, “you shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:13), the matter is explicit, as he commits adultery. Regarding, “you shall not steal” (Exodus 20:13), as he steals the source37A euphemism for the womb. of another. Likewise it says: “Stolen waters are sweet” (Proverbs 9:17).38The previous verses refer to a “woman of folly” (Proverbs 9:13). Regarding, “you shall not bear [false witness]” (Exodus 20:13), as she bears false witness and says: It is from you that I am pregnant. Regarding, “you shall not covet” (Exodus 20:14), as one who commits adultery with the wife of another covets everything that belongs to her husband. How so? When her husband passes from the world, he believes that the son is his. He writes a will for all of his belongings and bequeaths everything that he has, but he does not know that he is not his son. The result is that the adulterer covets everything that his counterpart has and covets his wife.
They said to Rav Huna: ‘We have stated nine. Tell us how he violates: “Remember the Sabbath day” (Exodus 20:8).’ He said to them: ‘I will tell you. There are times when a priest has a wife, and an Israelite adulterer consorts with her, and she bears a child. They believe in his regard that he is the son of a priest, and that son stands and serves in the Temple and offers burnt offerings on Shabbat. The result is that he profanes Shabbat. Consequently, the adulterer and the adulteress violated the Ten Commandments.’ In her regard, Solomon said: “I find bitterer than death the woman, who, in her heart, is snares and nets, her hands, shackles. One who is good before God will escape from her, but the sinner will be entrapped by her” (Ecclesiastes 7:26). Woe to a transgression through which one violates the Ten Commandments.
“The woman, who…is snares” (Ecclesiastes 7:26) – she ensnares in this world and ensnares in the World to Come. “And nets” (Ecclesiastes 7:26) – this net ensnares in the water but does not ensnare on dry land, but a woman ensnares in water and ensnares on dry land. “Her heart” (Ecclesiastes 7:26) – she propositions in her heart. “Her hands, shackles” (Ecclesiastes 7:26) – if her hands were not shackled, as she does not proposition with her mouth, she would not leave alone any man whom she would not proposition.39A woman normally would not explicitly request to have sexual relations, therefore she is "shackled" in her ability to entrap.
“One who is good before God will escape from her” (Ecclesiastes 7:26) – it is taught in the name of Rabbi Meir: Just as there are different attitudes regarding food and drink, so, there are different attitudes among people. There is a person that a fly descends into his cup and he casts it out and drinks it. This is the case regarding most people, as one sees his wife speaking with her neighbors or with her relatives, and he allows her to do so. You have a person that a fly flies around the top of his cup and he takes it, pours it out, and does not drink it. This is a bad quality in people, as he would set his sights on her to divorce her.40If he sees her talking to neighbors and relatives. You have a person that a fly settled atop his cup, and he takes it and leaves it as it was. This is Yehuda ben Papus who would lock the door before his wife.41He would do so when he would leave the house so she would not go out and socialize. Any socializing by his wife was unacceptable to him, just like the person who would be so disturbed if a fly only touched his cup that he would not drink the wine inside. They said to him: Would your forebears act in that manner? You have a person that a dead fly fell into his cup, and he takes it, sucks it, and drinks it. This is the wicked one, who sees that his wife is familiar with her servants, goes out to the marketplace with her head exposed, her garments slit on both her sides, and she bathes in a place where men bathe. It is a mitzva by Torah law to divorce her, as it is stated: “Because he found in her a licentious matter, and he writes her a bill of divorce, and he places it in her hand, and he sends her from his house” (Deuteronomy 24:1).
What is, “and she went, and was to another man” (Deuteronomy 24:2)? The verse characterizes him as “another,” as he is not a peer of the first man, as that one divorced his wife because of licentiousness, and this one stumbled due to her. If he merits it from Heaven, he will divorce her. If not, ultimately she will bury him, as it is stated: “Or if the latter man, who took her as his wife, died” (Deuteronomy 24:3). This one was worthy of death, because he brought this woman into his house.42Gittin 90a–b. Regarding the first one, who divorced her, Solomon said: “One who is good before God will escape from her” (Ecclesiastes 7:26). Regarding the second one, who took her into his house, the verse said: “But the sinner will be entrapped by her” (Ecclesiastes 7:26).
Another matter: “One who is good before God will escape from her” (Ecclesiastes 7:26) – this is that the Holy One blessed be He causes a spirit of jealousy to overcome him, and he warns his wife when he sees that she is wanton. “But the sinner will be entrapped by her” (Ecclesiastes 7:26) – this is one who sees his wife noisy,43While he engages in relations with her. her leg lifted high, and laughing ostentatiously, but he does not warn her. This is because it is the way of Jewish women that they are not noisy, do not lift the leg high, and do not laugh ostentatiously. That is why it is stated: “And a spirit of jealousy overcame him.” The school of Rabbi Yishmael taught: A man warns his wife only if a spirit of purity enters him, as it is stated: “And a spirit of jealousy overcame him.” This is given to dispute, as it is taught: “And he warned his wife” – it is optional; this is the statement of Rabbi Yishmael. Rabbi Akiva said: It is mandatory. We learn that it is a spirit of purity, as if you say it is a spirit of impurity, does a person have an option or an obligation to introduce a spirit of impurity into himself? It is taught: Rabbi Eliezer ben Yaakov says, regarding what the Torah said: “You shall not hate your brother in your heart” (Leviticus 19:17), does it perhaps apply to this one? The verse states: “And a spirit of jealousy overcame him.”44It is a spirit of purity that causes him to warn her, and therefore this does not violate the prohibition against hating in one’s heart.
“And a spirit of jealousy overcame him” – how does it overcome him? It is just as it says: “As a bird of the heavens will carry the voice, and a winged creature will tell a matter” (Ecclesiastes 10:20). Rabbi Meir would say: A man commits a transgression in private, and the Holy One blessed be He proclaims in his regard in public, as it is stated: “And a spirit of jealousy overcame [ve’avar] him.” Avera is nothing other than an expression of proclamation, as it is stated: “Moses commanded and they proclaimed [vayaaviru] an announcement in the camp…” (Exodus 36:6). “And he warned [vekineh] his wife” – Rabbi Naḥman ben Yitzḥak said: Kinui is nothing other than an expression of warning. Likewise it says: “The Lord was zealous [vaykaneh] for His land and had compassion on His people” (Joel 2:18).45He warned the locusts to stop infesting the land.
“And she was defiled, or a spirit of jealousy overcame him, and he warned his wife, and she was not defiled” – Rabbi [Yehuda HaNasi] taught: Three defilements are stated in the portion:46See Rashi on Sota 28a, where he writes that Rabbi is referring to verses 13, 27, and 29. one for the paramour,47Even if the husband divorces her, she may not marry the man with whom she sinned. one for the husband, and one for teruma. Do we find a woman who is forbidden to her home48Her husband. but it is permitted for her to partake of teruma?49Why, then, was it necessary for the verse to state that it is prohibited for her to partake of teruma? Indeed, you say: One for the husband, one for the paramour, and one for her husband’s brother. Rabbi Yosei ben Rabbi Bon said: Our mishna says so: If he dies, she performs ḥalitza and is not married in a levirate marriage.50Mishna Sota 1:2.
His students asked Rav Huna, father of Rabbi Aḥa: You have taught us, our teacher: The adulterer and the adulteress violate the Ten Commandments. Regarding nine of them we understand, but regarding Shabbat, we do not understand. How so? Regarding, “I am [the Lord your God]” (Exodus 20:2), it is because anyone who commits adultery with the wife of another denies the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated: “Each would neigh to his neighbor’s wife. Will I not reckon for these, the utterance of the Lord, and will My soul not be avenged on a nation like this? Enter within its walls and destroy, but do not engender annihilation; remove its offshoots, as they are not for the Lord” (Jeremiah 5:8–10). Regarding “you shall not have [other gods]” (Exodus 20:3), as it is written in that regard: “For I am the Lord your God, a zealous [kana] God” (Exodus 20:5), and twice it is stated regarding the sota: “A spirit of jealousy [kina] overcame him…” Why twice? It is because she arouses kina in both her husband and the Holy One blessed be He.35Kina in the sense of jealousy in her husband and in the sense of zealotry in the Holy One blessed be He. Likewise, it says: “For it is a meal offering of jealousy [kenaot]” (Numbers 5:15), as they are two kenaot.36Kenaot is the plural form of kina. Regarding, “You shall not take [the name of the Lord your God in vain]” (Exodus 20:7), as he commits adultery and takes an oath that he did not do so. Regarding, “honor your father” (Exodus 20:12), as one who commits adultery with the sota, she becomes pregnant from him but she tells her husband: It is from you that I am pregnant. The fetus grows and honors her husband in the belief that he is his father, but he is not his father, and he passes in the marketplace and curses the adulterer in the belief that he is not his father, but he is his father.
Regarding, “you shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13), as the adulterer enters with the intent to kill or be killed. Regarding, “you shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:13), the matter is explicit, as he commits adultery. Regarding, “you shall not steal” (Exodus 20:13), as he steals the source37A euphemism for the womb. of another. Likewise it says: “Stolen waters are sweet” (Proverbs 9:17).38The previous verses refer to a “woman of folly” (Proverbs 9:13). Regarding, “you shall not bear [false witness]” (Exodus 20:13), as she bears false witness and says: It is from you that I am pregnant. Regarding, “you shall not covet” (Exodus 20:14), as one who commits adultery with the wife of another covets everything that belongs to her husband. How so? When her husband passes from the world, he believes that the son is his. He writes a will for all of his belongings and bequeaths everything that he has, but he does not know that he is not his son. The result is that the adulterer covets everything that his counterpart has and covets his wife.
They said to Rav Huna: ‘We have stated nine. Tell us how he violates: “Remember the Sabbath day” (Exodus 20:8).’ He said to them: ‘I will tell you. There are times when a priest has a wife, and an Israelite adulterer consorts with her, and she bears a child. They believe in his regard that he is the son of a priest, and that son stands and serves in the Temple and offers burnt offerings on Shabbat. The result is that he profanes Shabbat. Consequently, the adulterer and the adulteress violated the Ten Commandments.’ In her regard, Solomon said: “I find bitterer than death the woman, who, in her heart, is snares and nets, her hands, shackles. One who is good before God will escape from her, but the sinner will be entrapped by her” (Ecclesiastes 7:26). Woe to a transgression through which one violates the Ten Commandments.
“The woman, who…is snares” (Ecclesiastes 7:26) – she ensnares in this world and ensnares in the World to Come. “And nets” (Ecclesiastes 7:26) – this net ensnares in the water but does not ensnare on dry land, but a woman ensnares in water and ensnares on dry land. “Her heart” (Ecclesiastes 7:26) – she propositions in her heart. “Her hands, shackles” (Ecclesiastes 7:26) – if her hands were not shackled, as she does not proposition with her mouth, she would not leave alone any man whom she would not proposition.39A woman normally would not explicitly request to have sexual relations, therefore she is "shackled" in her ability to entrap.
“One who is good before God will escape from her” (Ecclesiastes 7:26) – it is taught in the name of Rabbi Meir: Just as there are different attitudes regarding food and drink, so, there are different attitudes among people. There is a person that a fly descends into his cup and he casts it out and drinks it. This is the case regarding most people, as one sees his wife speaking with her neighbors or with her relatives, and he allows her to do so. You have a person that a fly flies around the top of his cup and he takes it, pours it out, and does not drink it. This is a bad quality in people, as he would set his sights on her to divorce her.40If he sees her talking to neighbors and relatives. You have a person that a fly settled atop his cup, and he takes it and leaves it as it was. This is Yehuda ben Papus who would lock the door before his wife.41He would do so when he would leave the house so she would not go out and socialize. Any socializing by his wife was unacceptable to him, just like the person who would be so disturbed if a fly only touched his cup that he would not drink the wine inside. They said to him: Would your forebears act in that manner? You have a person that a dead fly fell into his cup, and he takes it, sucks it, and drinks it. This is the wicked one, who sees that his wife is familiar with her servants, goes out to the marketplace with her head exposed, her garments slit on both her sides, and she bathes in a place where men bathe. It is a mitzva by Torah law to divorce her, as it is stated: “Because he found in her a licentious matter, and he writes her a bill of divorce, and he places it in her hand, and he sends her from his house” (Deuteronomy 24:1).
What is, “and she went, and was to another man” (Deuteronomy 24:2)? The verse characterizes him as “another,” as he is not a peer of the first man, as that one divorced his wife because of licentiousness, and this one stumbled due to her. If he merits it from Heaven, he will divorce her. If not, ultimately she will bury him, as it is stated: “Or if the latter man, who took her as his wife, died” (Deuteronomy 24:3). This one was worthy of death, because he brought this woman into his house.42Gittin 90a–b. Regarding the first one, who divorced her, Solomon said: “One who is good before God will escape from her” (Ecclesiastes 7:26). Regarding the second one, who took her into his house, the verse said: “But the sinner will be entrapped by her” (Ecclesiastes 7:26).
Another matter: “One who is good before God will escape from her” (Ecclesiastes 7:26) – this is that the Holy One blessed be He causes a spirit of jealousy to overcome him, and he warns his wife when he sees that she is wanton. “But the sinner will be entrapped by her” (Ecclesiastes 7:26) – this is one who sees his wife noisy,43While he engages in relations with her. her leg lifted high, and laughing ostentatiously, but he does not warn her. This is because it is the way of Jewish women that they are not noisy, do not lift the leg high, and do not laugh ostentatiously. That is why it is stated: “And a spirit of jealousy overcame him.” The school of Rabbi Yishmael taught: A man warns his wife only if a spirit of purity enters him, as it is stated: “And a spirit of jealousy overcame him.” This is given to dispute, as it is taught: “And he warned his wife” – it is optional; this is the statement of Rabbi Yishmael. Rabbi Akiva said: It is mandatory. We learn that it is a spirit of purity, as if you say it is a spirit of impurity, does a person have an option or an obligation to introduce a spirit of impurity into himself? It is taught: Rabbi Eliezer ben Yaakov says, regarding what the Torah said: “You shall not hate your brother in your heart” (Leviticus 19:17), does it perhaps apply to this one? The verse states: “And a spirit of jealousy overcame him.”44It is a spirit of purity that causes him to warn her, and therefore this does not violate the prohibition against hating in one’s heart.
“And a spirit of jealousy overcame him” – how does it overcome him? It is just as it says: “As a bird of the heavens will carry the voice, and a winged creature will tell a matter” (Ecclesiastes 10:20). Rabbi Meir would say: A man commits a transgression in private, and the Holy One blessed be He proclaims in his regard in public, as it is stated: “And a spirit of jealousy overcame [ve’avar] him.” Avera is nothing other than an expression of proclamation, as it is stated: “Moses commanded and they proclaimed [vayaaviru] an announcement in the camp…” (Exodus 36:6). “And he warned [vekineh] his wife” – Rabbi Naḥman ben Yitzḥak said: Kinui is nothing other than an expression of warning. Likewise it says: “The Lord was zealous [vaykaneh] for His land and had compassion on His people” (Joel 2:18).45He warned the locusts to stop infesting the land.
“And she was defiled, or a spirit of jealousy overcame him, and he warned his wife, and she was not defiled” – Rabbi [Yehuda HaNasi] taught: Three defilements are stated in the portion:46See Rashi on Sota 28a, where he writes that Rabbi is referring to verses 13, 27, and 29. one for the paramour,47Even if the husband divorces her, she may not marry the man with whom she sinned. one for the husband, and one for teruma. Do we find a woman who is forbidden to her home48Her husband. but it is permitted for her to partake of teruma?49Why, then, was it necessary for the verse to state that it is prohibited for her to partake of teruma? Indeed, you say: One for the husband, one for the paramour, and one for her husband’s brother. Rabbi Yosei ben Rabbi Bon said: Our mishna says so: If he dies, she performs ḥalitza and is not married in a levirate marriage.50Mishna Sota 1:2.
Bamidbar Rabbah
“Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying: So you shall bless the children of Israel; say to them:” (Numbers 6:23).
“So you shall bless the children of Israel…” – that is what is written: “Do not envy a man of villainy, and do not choose any of his ways” (Proverbs 3:31). “A man of villainy” – this is the wicked Esau; “man” – just as it says: “Esau was a man who knew hunting” (Genesis 25:27); “villainy” – just as it says: “For the villainy to your brother Jacob” (Obadiah 1:10). What is it that it said: “Do not envy”? It is because it was revealed before the Holy One blessed be He that Israel is destined to be subjugated to Edom1Edom is considered the nation of Esau. and would be hard pressed and overburdened in their midst, and Israel is destined to protest this, just as Malachi said: “You said: It is vain to worship God and what is the profit in our having kept His commission.… Now we praise the wicked; the evildoers, too, prosper; they also test God and escape” (Malachi 3:14–15). That is why the Divine Presence said by means of Solomon: “Do not envy a man of villainy” – do not envy the tranquility of the wicked Esau; “and do not choose any of his ways” – you shall not perform any of his actions. Why? Look to the end of the matter, as, behold, the day will come when God will despise everyone who would impugn [maliz] the mitzvot. That is what is written: “For the devious person [naloz] is an abomination to the Lord” (Proverbs 3:32). Likewise it says: “The Lord abhors a man of bloodshed and deceit” (Psalms 5:7). However, one whose path is upright before Him will be among His confidants; that is what is written: “And His secret is with the upright” (Proverbs 3:32). Likewise, it says: “Now, it will be said to Jacob [and to Israel what God has wrought]” (Numbers 23:23). And it says: “The secret of the Lord is to those who fear Him…” (Psalms 25:14). And it says: “You will return and see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him” (Malachi 3:18).
“The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked” (Proverbs 3:33) – this is Esau the wicked, just as it says: “[If Edom will say:] We are ruined, but we will return and build the ruins, so said the Lord of hosts: They will build, and I will destroy; [they will be called the boundary of wickedness]” (Malachi 1:4). “And He blesses the abode of the righteous” (Proverbs 3:33) – this is Israel, in whose regard it is written: “Your people, they are all righteous, they will inherit the land forever” (Isaiah 60:21). “Your eyes will see, and you will say: May the Lord be exalted [beyond the boundary of Israel]” (Malachi 1:5).
“If it is to scoffers, He will scoff” (Proverbs 3:34) – these are the Edomites, who are called scoffers, as it is stated: “A wicked and arrogant man, scoffer is his name” (Proverbs 21:24). And they are called wicked, just as it says: “Now we praise the wicked” (Malachi 3:15). From where is it derived that the verse is speaking of the Edomites? As it is written: “The evildoers [osei risha], too, prosper” (Malachi 3:15) – these are the Edomites, just as it says: “They will be called the boundary of wickedness [risha]” (Malachi 1:4). And they scoff at Israel every day, about the troubles that befall them, just as it says: “You were haughty against Me with your mouths, and you increased your words against Me; I heard” (Ezekiel 35:13). “He will scoff” – the Holy One blessed be He is destined to mete out to them according to their measure, just as it says: “As you have done, so will be done to you; your retribution will return upon your head” (Obadiah 1:15).
“But to the humble He gives favor” (Proverbs 3:34) – this is Israel, who are poor among them2This is a reference to the Edomites mentioned above, and refers in general to all of the oppressors of Israel. and walk humbly in their midst and bear their yoke upon them in order to sanctify the name of the Holy One blessed be He. That the Holy One blessed be He is destined to be gracious to these and punish those, just as it says: “Therefore, the Lord will wait to be gracious to you […for the Lord is a God of justice]” (Isaiah 30:18). And it says: “The humble will increase their joy in the Lord” (Isaiah 29:19). And it says: “For a people will live in Zion, in Jerusalem; you will not weep” (Isaiah 30:19).
“The wise will inherit honor” (Proverbs 3:35) – this is Israel, who are called wise when they perform the Torah and the mitzvot, as it is stated: “You shall observe and you shall perform, as this is your wisdom and your understanding…” (Deuteronomy 4:6). Because Israel observes the Torah in their midst, the Holy One blessed be He is destined to bequeath to them a throne of glory, just as it says: “He will bequeath to them a throne of glory” (I Samuel 2:8), as the Holy One blessed be He is destined to restore the monarchy to Israel, just as it says: “The kingdom, the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the entire heavens [will be given to the holy people of the Most High]” (Daniel 7:27).
“And fools carry away disgrace” (Proverbs 3:35) – these are the Edomites, just as it says: “I will eliminate the wise from Edom, and wisdom from the mountain of Esau” (Obadiah 1:8). And it says: “[Concerning Edom, so said the Lord of hosts:] Is there no longer wisdom in Teman? Is counsel lost from the children? Has their wisdom spoiled” (Jeremiah 49:7)? What is “carry away disgrace [kalon]”? It means that they will carry away disgrace in their portion, as their end will be that they will go into fire. Kalon is nothing other than fire, just as it says: “Whom the king of Babylon roasted [kalam] in the fire” (Jeremiah 29:22). And it says: “Just ripened, roasted [kalui] in fire” (Leviticus 2:14). Likewise it says: “[The house of Jacob will be fire,] and the house of Joseph a flame, [and the house of Esau for straw, and they will ignite them and consume them]” (Obadiah 1:18). And it says: “I was seeing until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and it was relegated to the burning of fire” (Daniel 7:11). That is, “and fools carry away disgrace.”
Another matter: “Do not envy a man [of villainy]” (Proverbs 3:31) – it is speaking of an adulterer, who, when he consorts with the wife of another and she is impregnated by him, he robs money from the children of the woman’s husband and gives it to the mamzer, as the husband thinks that he is his son, but he is not his son, and he bequeaths him the inheritance with his sons. It is regarding this matter that the adulterer is called “a man of villainy.”3Villainy is a translation of ḥamas, which also refers to theft. What is “do not envy”? It is that anyone who sees the adulterer, who realizes the lust in his heart with the wife of another and she feeds him and gives him to drink, should not envy his tranquility and should not choose any of his ways. Why? It is because the adulterer is called an abomination: “They are six that the Lord hates, and seven that are an abomination to His soul” (Proverbs 6:16). “One who incites discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:19) is one of the abominations. This is the adulterer, who incites discord between a man and his wife, just as it says: “And a spirit of jealousy overcame him, [and he warned his wife]” (Numbers 5:14). That is why it is stated: “For the devious [naloz] person is an abomination to the Lord” – this is the adulterer, in whose regard it is written: “And are devious [unlozim] in their tracks” (Proverbs 2:15–16).
“And His secret is with the upright” (Proverbs 3:32) – this is one who sees his actions and abstains from wine in order to render his paths upright, just as it says: “Who render their paths upright” (Proverbs 9:15). What is His secret? It is that the Holy One blessed be He teaches him how to save himself from her, just as it says: “I have guided you on the path of wisdom” (Proverbs 4:11). The numerical value of wine [yayin] is seventy4Yod – 10; yod – 10; nun – 50; the sum is 70. and of secret [sod] is seventy.5Samekh – 60; vav – 6; dalet – 4; the sum is 70. He abstains from wine that totals seventy, and he merits the secret of wisdom that totals seventy. Wine enters, a secret emerges, wine remains out, a secret enters. That is, “and His secret is with the upright.”
“The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked” (Proverbs 3:33) – this is the adulterer. What is the curse [hame’era]? It is that the water that causes curse [hame’arerim] will examine him just as they examine her. That is, “the curse of the Lord,” just as it says: “May the Lord render you as a curse…” (Numbers 5:21).
“And He blesses the abode of the righteous” (Proverbs 3:33) – this is the male nazirite and the female nazirite, who, if they abstained from wine to protect themselves from sin, merit a blessing. That is why it juxtaposed the portion of the Priestly Benediction after the portion of the nazirite, because he merits receiving the blessings of the Priestly Benediction. That is, “and He blesses the abode of the righteous,” just as it says: “May the Lord bless you and protect you” (Numbers 6:24).
“If it is to scoffers,” (Proverbs 3:34) – this is the adulterer, who errs due to wine, who is called a scoffer, just as it says: “Wine is a scoffer, intoxicating drink is tumultuous…” (Proverbs 20:1). “He will scoff” (Proverbs 3:34) – as everyone scoffs at the adulterer, as he is a curse and an oath for My chosen ones. “But to the humble, He is gracious” (Proverbs 3:34) – these are the nazirites, who adopt humility for themselves, who abstain from wine and grow their hair in order to torment themselves and protect themselves from transgression. The Holy One blessed be He is gracious with them, just as it is written: “And be gracious to you” (Numbers 6:25).
“The wise will inherit honor” (Proverbs 3:35) – because the nazirites feared sin they were called wise men, just as it says: “Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalms 111:10). And it says: “Behold, fear of the Lord is wisdom” (Job 28:28). They inherit honor, as the Holy One blessed be He lifts His countenance to them and grants them peace, as when a person sits peacefully in his home, that is his honor. Likewise, it says: “Preserve your honor and stay at home” (II Kings 14:10), as after the portion of the nazirite, the Priestly Benediction is written, in which it is written: “And grant you peace” (Numbers 6:26).
“And fools carry away disgrace” (Proverbs 3:35) – these are the adulterer and the adulteress, and they are called fools. The adulterer, from where is it derived? “Whoever is a simpleton let him turn here” (Proverbs (9:16). The adulteress, as it is written: “The woman of folly is loud” (Proverbs 9:13). “Carry away disgrace” – “he shall expose the head of the woman” (Numbers 5:18), and it says: “Her belly will distend…” (Numbers 5:27); do you have any disgrace greater than that? That is, “carry away disgrace.” This is why the portion of the Priestly Benediction is stated after the portion of the nazirite, as anyone who abstains from wine for the sake of Heaven merits all the blessings stated in the Priestly Benediction. From where is it derived? It is just as it says: “So you shall bless [the children of Israel]” (Numbers 6:23).
“So you shall bless the children of Israel…” – that is what is written: “Do not envy a man of villainy, and do not choose any of his ways” (Proverbs 3:31). “A man of villainy” – this is the wicked Esau; “man” – just as it says: “Esau was a man who knew hunting” (Genesis 25:27); “villainy” – just as it says: “For the villainy to your brother Jacob” (Obadiah 1:10). What is it that it said: “Do not envy”? It is because it was revealed before the Holy One blessed be He that Israel is destined to be subjugated to Edom1Edom is considered the nation of Esau. and would be hard pressed and overburdened in their midst, and Israel is destined to protest this, just as Malachi said: “You said: It is vain to worship God and what is the profit in our having kept His commission.… Now we praise the wicked; the evildoers, too, prosper; they also test God and escape” (Malachi 3:14–15). That is why the Divine Presence said by means of Solomon: “Do not envy a man of villainy” – do not envy the tranquility of the wicked Esau; “and do not choose any of his ways” – you shall not perform any of his actions. Why? Look to the end of the matter, as, behold, the day will come when God will despise everyone who would impugn [maliz] the mitzvot. That is what is written: “For the devious person [naloz] is an abomination to the Lord” (Proverbs 3:32). Likewise it says: “The Lord abhors a man of bloodshed and deceit” (Psalms 5:7). However, one whose path is upright before Him will be among His confidants; that is what is written: “And His secret is with the upright” (Proverbs 3:32). Likewise, it says: “Now, it will be said to Jacob [and to Israel what God has wrought]” (Numbers 23:23). And it says: “The secret of the Lord is to those who fear Him…” (Psalms 25:14). And it says: “You will return and see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him” (Malachi 3:18).
“The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked” (Proverbs 3:33) – this is Esau the wicked, just as it says: “[If Edom will say:] We are ruined, but we will return and build the ruins, so said the Lord of hosts: They will build, and I will destroy; [they will be called the boundary of wickedness]” (Malachi 1:4). “And He blesses the abode of the righteous” (Proverbs 3:33) – this is Israel, in whose regard it is written: “Your people, they are all righteous, they will inherit the land forever” (Isaiah 60:21). “Your eyes will see, and you will say: May the Lord be exalted [beyond the boundary of Israel]” (Malachi 1:5).
“If it is to scoffers, He will scoff” (Proverbs 3:34) – these are the Edomites, who are called scoffers, as it is stated: “A wicked and arrogant man, scoffer is his name” (Proverbs 21:24). And they are called wicked, just as it says: “Now we praise the wicked” (Malachi 3:15). From where is it derived that the verse is speaking of the Edomites? As it is written: “The evildoers [osei risha], too, prosper” (Malachi 3:15) – these are the Edomites, just as it says: “They will be called the boundary of wickedness [risha]” (Malachi 1:4). And they scoff at Israel every day, about the troubles that befall them, just as it says: “You were haughty against Me with your mouths, and you increased your words against Me; I heard” (Ezekiel 35:13). “He will scoff” – the Holy One blessed be He is destined to mete out to them according to their measure, just as it says: “As you have done, so will be done to you; your retribution will return upon your head” (Obadiah 1:15).
“But to the humble He gives favor” (Proverbs 3:34) – this is Israel, who are poor among them2This is a reference to the Edomites mentioned above, and refers in general to all of the oppressors of Israel. and walk humbly in their midst and bear their yoke upon them in order to sanctify the name of the Holy One blessed be He. That the Holy One blessed be He is destined to be gracious to these and punish those, just as it says: “Therefore, the Lord will wait to be gracious to you […for the Lord is a God of justice]” (Isaiah 30:18). And it says: “The humble will increase their joy in the Lord” (Isaiah 29:19). And it says: “For a people will live in Zion, in Jerusalem; you will not weep” (Isaiah 30:19).
“The wise will inherit honor” (Proverbs 3:35) – this is Israel, who are called wise when they perform the Torah and the mitzvot, as it is stated: “You shall observe and you shall perform, as this is your wisdom and your understanding…” (Deuteronomy 4:6). Because Israel observes the Torah in their midst, the Holy One blessed be He is destined to bequeath to them a throne of glory, just as it says: “He will bequeath to them a throne of glory” (I Samuel 2:8), as the Holy One blessed be He is destined to restore the monarchy to Israel, just as it says: “The kingdom, the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the entire heavens [will be given to the holy people of the Most High]” (Daniel 7:27).
“And fools carry away disgrace” (Proverbs 3:35) – these are the Edomites, just as it says: “I will eliminate the wise from Edom, and wisdom from the mountain of Esau” (Obadiah 1:8). And it says: “[Concerning Edom, so said the Lord of hosts:] Is there no longer wisdom in Teman? Is counsel lost from the children? Has their wisdom spoiled” (Jeremiah 49:7)? What is “carry away disgrace [kalon]”? It means that they will carry away disgrace in their portion, as their end will be that they will go into fire. Kalon is nothing other than fire, just as it says: “Whom the king of Babylon roasted [kalam] in the fire” (Jeremiah 29:22). And it says: “Just ripened, roasted [kalui] in fire” (Leviticus 2:14). Likewise it says: “[The house of Jacob will be fire,] and the house of Joseph a flame, [and the house of Esau for straw, and they will ignite them and consume them]” (Obadiah 1:18). And it says: “I was seeing until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and it was relegated to the burning of fire” (Daniel 7:11). That is, “and fools carry away disgrace.”
Another matter: “Do not envy a man [of villainy]” (Proverbs 3:31) – it is speaking of an adulterer, who, when he consorts with the wife of another and she is impregnated by him, he robs money from the children of the woman’s husband and gives it to the mamzer, as the husband thinks that he is his son, but he is not his son, and he bequeaths him the inheritance with his sons. It is regarding this matter that the adulterer is called “a man of villainy.”3Villainy is a translation of ḥamas, which also refers to theft. What is “do not envy”? It is that anyone who sees the adulterer, who realizes the lust in his heart with the wife of another and she feeds him and gives him to drink, should not envy his tranquility and should not choose any of his ways. Why? It is because the adulterer is called an abomination: “They are six that the Lord hates, and seven that are an abomination to His soul” (Proverbs 6:16). “One who incites discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:19) is one of the abominations. This is the adulterer, who incites discord between a man and his wife, just as it says: “And a spirit of jealousy overcame him, [and he warned his wife]” (Numbers 5:14). That is why it is stated: “For the devious [naloz] person is an abomination to the Lord” – this is the adulterer, in whose regard it is written: “And are devious [unlozim] in their tracks” (Proverbs 2:15–16).
“And His secret is with the upright” (Proverbs 3:32) – this is one who sees his actions and abstains from wine in order to render his paths upright, just as it says: “Who render their paths upright” (Proverbs 9:15). What is His secret? It is that the Holy One blessed be He teaches him how to save himself from her, just as it says: “I have guided you on the path of wisdom” (Proverbs 4:11). The numerical value of wine [yayin] is seventy4Yod – 10; yod – 10; nun – 50; the sum is 70. and of secret [sod] is seventy.5Samekh – 60; vav – 6; dalet – 4; the sum is 70. He abstains from wine that totals seventy, and he merits the secret of wisdom that totals seventy. Wine enters, a secret emerges, wine remains out, a secret enters. That is, “and His secret is with the upright.”
“The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked” (Proverbs 3:33) – this is the adulterer. What is the curse [hame’era]? It is that the water that causes curse [hame’arerim] will examine him just as they examine her. That is, “the curse of the Lord,” just as it says: “May the Lord render you as a curse…” (Numbers 5:21).
“And He blesses the abode of the righteous” (Proverbs 3:33) – this is the male nazirite and the female nazirite, who, if they abstained from wine to protect themselves from sin, merit a blessing. That is why it juxtaposed the portion of the Priestly Benediction after the portion of the nazirite, because he merits receiving the blessings of the Priestly Benediction. That is, “and He blesses the abode of the righteous,” just as it says: “May the Lord bless you and protect you” (Numbers 6:24).
“If it is to scoffers,” (Proverbs 3:34) – this is the adulterer, who errs due to wine, who is called a scoffer, just as it says: “Wine is a scoffer, intoxicating drink is tumultuous…” (Proverbs 20:1). “He will scoff” (Proverbs 3:34) – as everyone scoffs at the adulterer, as he is a curse and an oath for My chosen ones. “But to the humble, He is gracious” (Proverbs 3:34) – these are the nazirites, who adopt humility for themselves, who abstain from wine and grow their hair in order to torment themselves and protect themselves from transgression. The Holy One blessed be He is gracious with them, just as it is written: “And be gracious to you” (Numbers 6:25).
“The wise will inherit honor” (Proverbs 3:35) – because the nazirites feared sin they were called wise men, just as it says: “Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalms 111:10). And it says: “Behold, fear of the Lord is wisdom” (Job 28:28). They inherit honor, as the Holy One blessed be He lifts His countenance to them and grants them peace, as when a person sits peacefully in his home, that is his honor. Likewise, it says: “Preserve your honor and stay at home” (II Kings 14:10), as after the portion of the nazirite, the Priestly Benediction is written, in which it is written: “And grant you peace” (Numbers 6:26).
“And fools carry away disgrace” (Proverbs 3:35) – these are the adulterer and the adulteress, and they are called fools. The adulterer, from where is it derived? “Whoever is a simpleton let him turn here” (Proverbs (9:16). The adulteress, as it is written: “The woman of folly is loud” (Proverbs 9:13). “Carry away disgrace” – “he shall expose the head of the woman” (Numbers 5:18), and it says: “Her belly will distend…” (Numbers 5:27); do you have any disgrace greater than that? That is, “carry away disgrace.” This is why the portion of the Priestly Benediction is stated after the portion of the nazirite, as anyone who abstains from wine for the sake of Heaven merits all the blessings stated in the Priestly Benediction. From where is it derived? It is just as it says: “So you shall bless [the children of Israel]” (Numbers 6:23).