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Numbers 5:19 - Oath of purity's test?

Numbers 5:19 - במדבר 5:19

Hebrew Text

וְהִשְׁבִּיעַ אֹתָהּ הַכֹּהֵן וְאָמַר אֶל־הָאִשָּׁה אִם־לֹא שָׁכַב אִישׁ אֹתָךְ וְאִם־לֹא שָׂטִית טֻמְאָה תַּחַת אִישֵׁךְ הִנָּקִי מִמֵּי הַמָּרִים הַמְאָרֲרִים הָאֵלֶּה׃

English Translation

and the priest shall charge her by an oath, and say to the woman, If no man have lain with thee, and if thou hast not gone aside to uncleanness with another instead of thy husband, be thou free from this bitter water that causes the curse:

Transliteration

Vehishbia otah hakohen veamar el-ha'ishah im-lo shachav ish otach veim-lo satit tum'ah tachat ishech hinaki mimei hamarim hame'ararim ha'eleh.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהִשְׁבִּ֨יעַ אֹתָ֜הּ הַכֹּהֵ֗ן וְאָמַ֤ר אֶל־הָֽאִשָּׁה֙ אִם־לֹ֨א שָׁכַ֥ב אִישׁ֙ אֹתָ֔ךְ וְאִם־לֹ֥א שָׂטִ֛ית טֻמְאָ֖ה תַּ֣חַת אִישֵׁ֑ךְ הִנָּקִ֕י מִמֵּ֛י הַמָּרִ֥ים הַֽמְאָרְרִ֖ים הָאֵֽלֶּה׃
וְהִשְׁבִּ֨יעַ אֹתָ֜הּ הַכֹּהֵ֗ן וְאָמַ֤ר אֶל־הָֽאִשָּׁה֙ אִם־לֹ֨א שָׁכַ֥ב אִישׁ֙ אֹתָ֔ךְ וְאִם־לֹ֥א שָׂטִ֛ית טֻמְאָ֖ה תַּ֣חַת אִישֵׁ֑ךְ הִנָּקִ֕י מִמֵּ֛י הַמָּרִ֥ים הַֽמְאָרְרִ֖ים הָאֵֽלֶּה׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Sotah Ritual and Its Significance

The verse describes part of the sotah ritual (Numbers 5:11-31), where a woman suspected of adultery (sotah) undergoes a trial by bitter waters administered by the Kohen. This procedure is unique in Torah law, as it involves a supernatural revelation of truth through Divine intervention.

Rashi's Explanation of the Oath

Rashi (Bamidbar 5:19) explains that the Kohen administers an oath to the woman, invoking the sacred name of Hashem, to emphasize the gravity of the situation. The phrase "הִנָּקִי מִמֵּי הַמָּרִים" ("be thou free from this bitter water") implies that if she is innocent, the waters will not harm her, but if guilty, they will bring a curse.

The Rambam's Legal Perspective

Rambam (Hilchot Sotah 1:1-2) discusses the precise legal conditions for administering the sotah ritual, emphasizing that it only applies when there are witnesses to the husband's warning (kinui) and the wife's subsequent seclusion (setirah) with the suspected man. The oath serves as both a test and a deterrent.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 9:9) notes that the phrase "תַּחַת אִישֵׁךְ" ("instead of thy husband") hints at the severity of the sin—it is not merely adultery but a betrayal of the marital covenant. The bitter waters symbolize the bitterness of sin, while their miraculous effect demonstrates Hashem's direct involvement in justice.

Talmudic Elaboration

The Talmud (Sotah 7a) analyzes the Kohen's wording carefully:

  • The double condition ("if no man have lain with thee, and if thou hast not gone aside...") covers both actual adultery and improper seclusion.
  • The term "הַמָּרִים הַמְאָרֲרִים" ("bitter water that causes the curse") reflects that the waters become a curse only if she is guilty, otherwise remaining inert.

Spiritual Dimensions

Kli Yakar (Bamidbar 5:19) observes that the oath's structure mirrors the spiritual stakes: just as the waters test her physical fidelity, they also probe her spiritual integrity. The public nature of the ritual (Sotah 7b) underscores Judaism's rejection of private sin, affirming that moral accountability is central to covenantal life.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 7a
The verse is discussed in the context of the Sotah ritual, where a woman suspected of adultery undergoes a trial by bitter water. The Talmud analyzes the priest's oath and the conditions under which the woman is declared innocent or guilty.
📖 Sotah 20a
Further discussion on the implications of the priest's words and the nature of the oath administered to the woman, including the consequences of her innocence or guilt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the purpose of the bitter water test in Numbers 5:19?
A: The bitter water test (Sotah) described in Numbers 5:19 is a procedure used when a husband suspects his wife of infidelity but has no witnesses. The Torah provides this method to determine her innocence or guilt through a Divine process. The woman drinks special water prepared by the Kohen (priest), and if she is guilty, the water brings a curse; if innocent, she is unharmed and blessed (Rashi, Sotah 7a).
Q: Why does the Kohen administer an oath to the woman in this verse?
A: The Kohen administers an oath to emphasize the seriousness of the accusation and to invoke Divine judgment. The oath includes a warning that if she is lying, the bitter water will cause harm, but if she is truthful, she will be cleared (Rambam, Hilchot Sotah 1:5). This process ensures that only G-d, who knows the truth, determines the outcome.
Q: What does 'going aside to uncleanness' mean in this verse?
A: The phrase 'going aside to uncleanness' refers to marital infidelity—being intimate with someone other than one's husband. The Torah uses this language to highlight the severity of violating the sanctity of marriage (Rashi on Numbers 5:19, Sotah 2a). Jewish law considers such acts a betrayal of the marital covenant.
Q: Is the Sotah ritual still practiced today?
A: No, the Sotah ritual is no longer practiced today. The Talmud (Sotah 47a) explains that the procedure ceased when adultery became widespread, and the Sanhedrin (Jewish high court) discontinued it. However, the laws and lessons of the Sotah remain important for understanding Torah principles about trust, repentance, and Divine justice (Rambam, Hilchot Sotah 3:18).
Q: What can we learn from the Sotah passage in daily life?
A: The Sotah passage teaches the importance of trust in marriage, the seriousness of false accusations, and the belief that G-d knows the truth even when humans do not. It also reminds us that repentance and honesty are essential in relationships (Midrash Tanchuma, Naso 6). While the ritual is no longer practiced, its ethical lessons remain relevant.