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Numbers 5:14 - Jealousy tests marital purity?

Numbers 5:14 - במדבר 5:14

Hebrew Text

וְעָבַר עָלָיו רוּחַ־קִנְאָה וְקִנֵּא אֶת־אִשְׁתּוֹ וְהִוא נִטְמָאָה אוֹ־עָבַר עָלָיו רוּחַ־קִנְאָה וְקִנֵּא אֶת־אִשְׁתּוֹ וְהִיא לֹא נִטְמָאָה׃

English Translation

and the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be defiled: or if the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be not defiled:

Transliteration

Ve'avar alav ruach-kinah vekine et-ishto vehi nitme'ah o-avar alav ruach-kinah vekine et-ishto vehi lo nitme'ah.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְעָבַ֨ר עָלָ֧יו רֽוּחַ־קִנְאָ֛ה וְקִנֵּ֥א אֶת־אִשְׁתּ֖וֹ וְהִ֣וא נִטְמָ֑אָה אוֹ־עָבַ֨ר עָלָ֤יו רֽוּחַ־קִנְאָה֙ וְקִנֵּ֣א אֶת־אִשְׁתּ֔וֹ וְהִ֖יא לֹ֥א נִטְמָֽאָה׃
וְעָבַ֨ר עָלָ֧יו רֽוּחַ־קִנְאָ֛ה וְקִנֵּ֥א אֶת־אִשְׁתּ֖וֹ וְהִ֣וא נִטְמָ֑אָה אוֹ־עָבַ֨ר עָלָ֤יו רֽוּחַ־קִנְאָה֙ וְקִנֵּ֣א אֶת־אִשְׁתּ֔וֹ וְהִ֖יא לֹ֥א נִטְמָֽאָה׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

This verse appears in Bamidbar (Numbers) 5:14, within the passage detailing the laws of the Sotah—a woman suspected of adultery due to her husband's jealousy. The Torah outlines a unique ritual conducted by the Kohen to determine her innocence or guilt.

The Nature of "Ruach Kinah" (Spirit of Jealousy)

Rashi explains that "ruach kinah" refers to a genuine suspicion that arises in the husband's mind, not mere baseless jealousy. The Talmud (Sotah 2b) elaborates that this suspicion is often Divinely inspired (ruach hakodesh) to bring hidden sins to light.

Two Possible Scenarios

  • Case 1: "She is defiled" – Rambam (Hilchot Sotah 1:1) clarifies that this refers to the husband having witnesses or strong evidence of his wife's infidelity, in which case the Sotah ritual does not apply.
  • Case 2: "She is not defiled" – Here, the husband suspects her without proof, triggering the Sotah process (Bamidbar Rabbah 9:9).

The Role of the Sotah Ritual

The Midrash Tanchuma (Naso 5) teaches that this procedure serves both to clear the innocent and punish the guilty, restoring peace to the household. The miraculous nature of the ritual—where the guilty suffer and the innocent are blessed—demonstrates Hashem's direct involvement in marital sanctity.

Halachic Implications

The Shulchan Aruch (Even HaEzer 178) rules that a husband may not subject his wife to this ordeal out of mere whim; there must be legitimate grounds for suspicion. The Ramban adds that the entire process is a chok (Divine decree) beyond full human comprehension.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 3a
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws concerning a husband's suspicion of his wife's infidelity and the procedure of the Sotah (the suspected adulteress).
📖 Sotah 5a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the nature of jealousy and its implications in the Sotah ritual.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'spirit of jealousy' mean in Numbers 5:14?
A: The 'spirit of jealousy' (רוּחַ־קִנְאָה) refers to a husband's strong suspicion that his wife may have been unfaithful. According to Rashi, this is not just ordinary jealousy, but a divinely inspired feeling that prompts the husband to bring his wife to the Kohen for the Sotah (suspected adulteress) ritual described in this Torah portion.
Q: Why does the Torah mention both cases (whether she was defiled or not)?
A: The Torah presents both possibilities to teach that the Sotah procedure applies regardless of whether the wife was actually unfaithful. As the Talmud explains (Sotah 2b), the ritual serves either to prove her innocence or confirm her guilt, bringing truth and resolution to the situation.
Q: How does the concept of 'spirit of jealousy' apply today without the Temple?
A: While we no longer have the Sotah ritual since the Temple's destruction, the Talmud (Sotah 47a) teaches that this passage reminds us of the sanctity of marriage and the importance of trust between spouses. The Rambam (Hilchos Sotah) explains that the underlying principles about maintaining proper marital relationships remain eternally relevant.