א֣וֹ אִ֗ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֨ר תַּעֲבֹ֥ר עָלָ֛יו ר֥וּחַ קִנְאָ֖ה וְקִנֵּ֣א אֶת־אִשְׁתּ֑וֹ וְהֶעֱמִ֤יד אֶת־הָֽאִשָּׁה֙ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֔ה וְעָ֤שָׂה לָהּ֙ הַכֹּהֵ֔ן אֵ֥ת כָּל־הַתּוֹרָ֖ה הַזֹּֽאת׃
или когда дух ревности обрушится на человека, и он ревнует над своей женой; тогда он поставит женщину перед Господом, и священник исполнит на ней весь этот закон.
Bamidbar Rabbah
“Or a man who will be overcome with the spirit of jealousy, and warn his wife and stand the woman before the Lord. The priest shall perform for her this entire ritual” (Numbers 5:30).
“Or a man who will be overcome…”; “a man,” “or a man”107The verse could have stated only, “a man,” but it says “or a man.” – this is to include a priest108Because the wife of a priest is forbidden to him even if she was raped, one might have thought that she is excluded from the entire sota ritual. and a eunuch109Because the wife of a eunuch is incapable of conceiving, one might have thought that she is excluded from the entire sota ritual. who issue a warning.
“And stand the woman before the Lord” – this is to include a priest’s wife or a eunuch’s wife, that they drink.
“[The priest] shall perform for her this entire ritual” – everything that is stated in the portion, to teach you that omitting even one matter invalidates it all.
“The man will be absolved of iniquity, and that woman will bear her iniquity” (Numbers 5:31).
“The man will be absolved of iniquity” – this tells that he is bearing iniquity until the woman drinks, but after she drinks, “the man will be absolved of iniquity.”
“And that woman will bear her iniquity” – Shimon ben Azai says: The verse is speaking of the pure woman. Since she brought herself to these matters, she too will not emerge without consequences.
“Or a man who will be overcome…”; “a man,” “or a man”107The verse could have stated only, “a man,” but it says “or a man.” – this is to include a priest108Because the wife of a priest is forbidden to him even if she was raped, one might have thought that she is excluded from the entire sota ritual. and a eunuch109Because the wife of a eunuch is incapable of conceiving, one might have thought that she is excluded from the entire sota ritual. who issue a warning.
“And stand the woman before the Lord” – this is to include a priest’s wife or a eunuch’s wife, that they drink.
“[The priest] shall perform for her this entire ritual” – everything that is stated in the portion, to teach you that omitting even one matter invalidates it all.
“The man will be absolved of iniquity, and that woman will bear her iniquity” (Numbers 5:31).
“The man will be absolved of iniquity” – this tells that he is bearing iniquity until the woman drinks, but after she drinks, “the man will be absolved of iniquity.”
“And that woman will bear her iniquity” – Shimon ben Azai says: The verse is speaking of the pure woman. Since she brought herself to these matters, she too will not emerge without consequences.
Bamidbar Rabbah
“Or a man who will be overcome with the spirit of jealousy, and warn his wife and stand the woman before the Lord. The priest shall perform for her this entire ritual” (Numbers 5:30).
“Or a man who will be overcome…” – why is it stated? It is because it says: “A spirit of jealousy overcame him, [and he warned his wife]” (Numbers 5:14); it is optional. Is it, perhaps, that just as until he warned her it is optional, so too here, after he warned her it is optional? The verse states: “Or a man who will be overcome [with the spirit of jealousy, and warn his wife]; it is obligatory.
“The priest shall perform for her this entire ritual” – from here they said that the scroll of a sota that was written at night is not valid. Here it is stated: “This entire ritual [tora]” and elsewhere it is stated: “On the basis of the law [tora] that they will instruct you” (Deuteronomy 17:11). Just as judgment is during the day, so the scroll of the sota is during the day.
From where is it derived that if he wrote one letter, erased one letter, wrote one letter, and erased one letter, that it is not valid? It is as it is written: “The priest shall perform for her this entire ritual.”
“Or a man who will be overcome…” – why is it stated? It is because it says: “A spirit of jealousy overcame him, [and he warned his wife]” (Numbers 5:14); it is optional. Is it, perhaps, that just as until he warned her it is optional, so too here, after he warned her it is optional? The verse states: “Or a man who will be overcome [with the spirit of jealousy, and warn his wife]; it is obligatory.
“The priest shall perform for her this entire ritual” – from here they said that the scroll of a sota that was written at night is not valid. Here it is stated: “This entire ritual [tora]” and elsewhere it is stated: “On the basis of the law [tora] that they will instruct you” (Deuteronomy 17:11). Just as judgment is during the day, so the scroll of the sota is during the day.
From where is it derived that if he wrote one letter, erased one letter, wrote one letter, and erased one letter, that it is not valid? It is as it is written: “The priest shall perform for her this entire ritual.”
Bamidbar Rabbah
“Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: If the wife of any man will stray and commit a trespass against him” (Numbers 5:12).
Another matter: “If [the wife of any man] will stray [tiste]…” – the Rabbis interpret the verse regarding the act of the calf. “Man” – this is the Holy One blessed be He, who is called man, as it is stated: “The Lord is a Man of war” (Exodus 15:3). “If the wife [of any man] will stray” – this is Israel, who strayed from following Him, just as it says: “They have quickly strayed [saru]” (Exodus 32:8), and it is translated: “They have quickly strayed [satu].” And they are called His wife, as it is stated: “It shall be on that day, the utterance of the Lord, that you will call Me my spouse [ishi]” (Hosea 2:18). Likewise it says: “You shall sanctify them [vekidashtam] today and tomorrow” (Exodus 19:10); “you shall be holy [kedoshim]” (Leviticus 19:2).170Both verses are expounded as an allusion to betrothal [kiddushin].
“And commit a trespass against him” – this is the trespass of idol worship, just as it says: “To commit trespass against the Lord in the matter of Peor” (Numbers 31:16).
“And a man had lain with her carnally, and it was hidden from the eyes of her husband, and she was secluded and she was defiled, and there is no witness against her, and she was not coerced” (Numbers 5:13).
“And a man had lain” – this is Aaron, who crafted the calf for them. “Carnally [shikhvat zera]” – as that was the way of its worship; they would pass their offspring [zaram] before it in the fire, just as it says: “And you shall not give from your offspring [umizarakha] to pass to Molekh” (Leviticus 18:21). “And it was hidden from the eyes of her husband, and she was secluded” – Heaven forfend, they thought to themselves as though the supernal eye does not see, just as it is written: “They said: The Lord will not see” (Psalms 94:7), and it says: “Clouds obscure for Him, and He does not see” (Job 22:14). “And she was secluded [venistera]” – just as it says: “Woe to those who go to the depths from the Lord to conceal [lastir] a scheme […and they say: Who sees us and who knows of us]” (Isaiah 29:15). “And she was defiled” – just as it says: “Like the impurity of the menstruant their way was before Me” (Ezekiel 36:17). “And there is no witness [ve’ed] against her” – there was no prophet in their midst who could warn [sheya’id] them; just as it says: “The Lord warned Israel and Judah by means of every prophet of every vision” (II Kings 17:13), as they had already killed Ḥur because he was rebuking them. “And she was not coerced” – they performed it of their own volition, and that is why they were punished.
“A spirit of jealousy overcame him, and he warned his wife, and she was defiled, or a spirit of jealousy overcame him, and he warned his wife, and she was not defiled” (Numbers 5:14).
“A spirit of jealousy [kina] overcame him” – “for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous [kana] God” (Exodus 20:5). “And he warned his wife” – just as it says: “Go, descend, because your people has become corrupted…” (Exodus 32:7). “And she was defiled” – just as it says: “They prostrated themselves to it and they sacrificed to it” (Exodus 32:8). “Or a spirit of jealousy overcame him, and he warned his wife, and she was not defiled” – as there were many upright people in their midst but the Holy One blessed be He was jealous regarding all of them. He sought to eliminate the good with the wicked, as it is stated: “Now, let Me be, and My wrath will be enflamed against them, and I will eliminate them” (Exodus 32:10).
“The man shall bring his wife to the priest, and he shall bring her offering on her behalf, one-tenth of an ephah of barley flour; he shall not pour oil upon it, and he shall not place frankincense upon it, for it is a meal offering of jealousy, a meal offering of remembrance, a reminder of iniquity” (Numbers 5:15).
“The man shall bring” – this is the Holy One blessed be He. “His wife” – this is Israel. “To the priest” – this is Moses, who was a priest all seven days of the inauguration. And it says: “Moses and Aaron were among His priests” (Psalms 99:6). What is the bringing? He brought their sentence to Moses, as He said to him: “Go, descend, because your people has become corrupted” (Exodus 32:7). “And he shall bring her offering on her behalf” – as He gave to Moses at that time two Tablets of Testimony, as it is stated: “When He finished…He gave Moses [the two Tablets of Testimony]” (Exodus 31:18). “One-tenth of an ephah” – as the Ten Commandments were written upon them. “Barley flour” – due to the iniquity of idol worship, Israel became like flour, just as it says: “Take a millstone and grind flour” (Isaiah 47:2).171See Shir HaShirim Rabba 3:4, where the phrase is interpreted as referring to Israel. And the Holy One blessed be He dispersed them among the nations, just as it says: “I dispersed them among all nations” (Zechariah 7:14), as in the commandment: “You shall not have [other gods]” (Exodus 20:3) – He alluded to the four kingdoms.172In that commandment it says: “Who reckons the iniquity of the fathers against the children, against the third generation and against the fourth generation to My enemies” (Exodus 20:5). The four generations are an allusion to the four kingdoms to which Israel was exiled. “He shall not pour oil upon it” – as the Holy One blessed be He said to him: “Now, let Me be…” (Exodus 32:10); “and he shall not place frankincense upon it” – just as it says: “Let Me alone…” (Deuteronomy 9:14), saying that he should mention neither the merit of the patriarchs nor the merit of the matriarchs. “For it is a meal offering of jealousy” – just as it says: “I have seen this people, and behold it is a stiff-necked people” (Deuteronomy 9:13). “A meal offering of remembrance” – as in the commandment: “You shall not have [other gods]”; Israel will be remembered positively for those who recognize the futility of idol worship, as it is stated: “Who shows kindness for thousands […for those who love Me]” (Exodus 20:6). “A reminder of iniquity” – for those who stray after it, as it is stated: “Who reckons the iniquity of the fathers [against the children]” (Exodus 20:5).
“The priest shall bring her near and have her stand before the Lord” (Numbers 5:16).
“The priest shall bring her near” – as he prayed on their behalf, just as it says: “Moses implored the Lord…” (Exodus 32:11). “And have her stand before the Lord” – as the Holy One blessed be He forgave and said that He would not eliminate them all, just as it says: “The Lord reconsidered the evil” (Exodus 32:14).
Another matter: “If [the wife of any man] will stray [tiste]…” – the Rabbis interpret the verse regarding the act of the calf. “Man” – this is the Holy One blessed be He, who is called man, as it is stated: “The Lord is a Man of war” (Exodus 15:3). “If the wife [of any man] will stray” – this is Israel, who strayed from following Him, just as it says: “They have quickly strayed [saru]” (Exodus 32:8), and it is translated: “They have quickly strayed [satu].” And they are called His wife, as it is stated: “It shall be on that day, the utterance of the Lord, that you will call Me my spouse [ishi]” (Hosea 2:18). Likewise it says: “You shall sanctify them [vekidashtam] today and tomorrow” (Exodus 19:10); “you shall be holy [kedoshim]” (Leviticus 19:2).170Both verses are expounded as an allusion to betrothal [kiddushin].
“And commit a trespass against him” – this is the trespass of idol worship, just as it says: “To commit trespass against the Lord in the matter of Peor” (Numbers 31:16).
“And a man had lain with her carnally, and it was hidden from the eyes of her husband, and she was secluded and she was defiled, and there is no witness against her, and she was not coerced” (Numbers 5:13).
“And a man had lain” – this is Aaron, who crafted the calf for them. “Carnally [shikhvat zera]” – as that was the way of its worship; they would pass their offspring [zaram] before it in the fire, just as it says: “And you shall not give from your offspring [umizarakha] to pass to Molekh” (Leviticus 18:21). “And it was hidden from the eyes of her husband, and she was secluded” – Heaven forfend, they thought to themselves as though the supernal eye does not see, just as it is written: “They said: The Lord will not see” (Psalms 94:7), and it says: “Clouds obscure for Him, and He does not see” (Job 22:14). “And she was secluded [venistera]” – just as it says: “Woe to those who go to the depths from the Lord to conceal [lastir] a scheme […and they say: Who sees us and who knows of us]” (Isaiah 29:15). “And she was defiled” – just as it says: “Like the impurity of the menstruant their way was before Me” (Ezekiel 36:17). “And there is no witness [ve’ed] against her” – there was no prophet in their midst who could warn [sheya’id] them; just as it says: “The Lord warned Israel and Judah by means of every prophet of every vision” (II Kings 17:13), as they had already killed Ḥur because he was rebuking them. “And she was not coerced” – they performed it of their own volition, and that is why they were punished.
“A spirit of jealousy overcame him, and he warned his wife, and she was defiled, or a spirit of jealousy overcame him, and he warned his wife, and she was not defiled” (Numbers 5:14).
“A spirit of jealousy [kina] overcame him” – “for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous [kana] God” (Exodus 20:5). “And he warned his wife” – just as it says: “Go, descend, because your people has become corrupted…” (Exodus 32:7). “And she was defiled” – just as it says: “They prostrated themselves to it and they sacrificed to it” (Exodus 32:8). “Or a spirit of jealousy overcame him, and he warned his wife, and she was not defiled” – as there were many upright people in their midst but the Holy One blessed be He was jealous regarding all of them. He sought to eliminate the good with the wicked, as it is stated: “Now, let Me be, and My wrath will be enflamed against them, and I will eliminate them” (Exodus 32:10).
“The man shall bring his wife to the priest, and he shall bring her offering on her behalf, one-tenth of an ephah of barley flour; he shall not pour oil upon it, and he shall not place frankincense upon it, for it is a meal offering of jealousy, a meal offering of remembrance, a reminder of iniquity” (Numbers 5:15).
“The man shall bring” – this is the Holy One blessed be He. “His wife” – this is Israel. “To the priest” – this is Moses, who was a priest all seven days of the inauguration. And it says: “Moses and Aaron were among His priests” (Psalms 99:6). What is the bringing? He brought their sentence to Moses, as He said to him: “Go, descend, because your people has become corrupted” (Exodus 32:7). “And he shall bring her offering on her behalf” – as He gave to Moses at that time two Tablets of Testimony, as it is stated: “When He finished…He gave Moses [the two Tablets of Testimony]” (Exodus 31:18). “One-tenth of an ephah” – as the Ten Commandments were written upon them. “Barley flour” – due to the iniquity of idol worship, Israel became like flour, just as it says: “Take a millstone and grind flour” (Isaiah 47:2).171See Shir HaShirim Rabba 3:4, where the phrase is interpreted as referring to Israel. And the Holy One blessed be He dispersed them among the nations, just as it says: “I dispersed them among all nations” (Zechariah 7:14), as in the commandment: “You shall not have [other gods]” (Exodus 20:3) – He alluded to the four kingdoms.172In that commandment it says: “Who reckons the iniquity of the fathers against the children, against the third generation and against the fourth generation to My enemies” (Exodus 20:5). The four generations are an allusion to the four kingdoms to which Israel was exiled. “He shall not pour oil upon it” – as the Holy One blessed be He said to him: “Now, let Me be…” (Exodus 32:10); “and he shall not place frankincense upon it” – just as it says: “Let Me alone…” (Deuteronomy 9:14), saying that he should mention neither the merit of the patriarchs nor the merit of the matriarchs. “For it is a meal offering of jealousy” – just as it says: “I have seen this people, and behold it is a stiff-necked people” (Deuteronomy 9:13). “A meal offering of remembrance” – as in the commandment: “You shall not have [other gods]”; Israel will be remembered positively for those who recognize the futility of idol worship, as it is stated: “Who shows kindness for thousands […for those who love Me]” (Exodus 20:6). “A reminder of iniquity” – for those who stray after it, as it is stated: “Who reckons the iniquity of the fathers [against the children]” (Exodus 20:5).
“The priest shall bring her near and have her stand before the Lord” (Numbers 5:16).
“The priest shall bring her near” – as he prayed on their behalf, just as it says: “Moses implored the Lord…” (Exodus 32:11). “And have her stand before the Lord” – as the Holy One blessed be He forgave and said that He would not eliminate them all, just as it says: “The Lord reconsidered the evil” (Exodus 32:14).