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Numbers 5:21 - Oath reveals hidden truth?

Numbers 5:21 - במדבר 5:21

Hebrew Text

וְהִשְׁבִּיעַ הַכֹּהֵן אֶת־הָאִשָּׁה בִּשְׁבֻעַת הָאָלָה וְאָמַר הַכֹּהֵן לָאִשָּׁה יִתֵּן יְהוָה אוֹתָךְ לְאָלָה וְלִשְׁבֻעָה בְּתוֹךְ עַמֵּךְ בְּתֵת יְהוָה אֶת־יְרֵכֵךְ נֹפֶלֶת וְאֶת־בִּטְנֵךְ צָבָה׃

English Translation

then the priest shall charge the woman with an oath of cursing, and the priest shall say to the woman, The Lord make thee a curse and an oath among thy people, when the Lord makes thy thigh to fall away, and thy belly to swell;

Transliteration

Vehishbia hakoein et-ha'isha bishvuat ha'ala ve'amar hakoein la'isha yiten Adonai otach le'ala velishvuah betoch amech betet Adonai et-yereichech nofelet ve'et-bitnech tzava.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהִשְׁבִּ֨יעַ הַכֹּהֵ֥ן אֶֽת־הָאִשָּׁה֮ בִּשְׁבֻעַ֣ת הָאָלָה֒ וְאָמַ֤ר הַכֹּהֵן֙ לָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה יִתֵּ֨ן יְהֹוָ֥ה אוֹתָ֛ךְ לְאָלָ֥ה וְלִשְׁבֻעָ֖ה בְּת֣וֹךְ עַמֵּ֑ךְ בְּתֵ֨ת יְהֹוָ֤ה אֶת־יְרֵכֵךְ֙ נֹפֶ֔לֶת וְאֶת־בִּטְנֵ֖ךְ צָבָֽה׃
וְהִשְׁבִּ֨יעַ הַכֹּהֵ֥ן אֶֽת־הָאִשָּׁה֮ בִּשְׁבֻעַ֣ת הָאָלָה֒ וְאָמַ֤ר הַכֹּהֵן֙ לָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה יִתֵּ֨ן יְהֹוָ֥ה אוֹתָ֛ךְ לְאָלָ֥ה וְלִשְׁבֻעָ֖ה בְּת֣וֹךְ עַמֵּ֑ךְ בְּתֵ֨ת יְהֹוָ֤ה אֶת־יְרֵכֵךְ֙ נֹפֶ֔לֶת וְאֶת־בִּטְנֵ֖ךְ צָבָֽה׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Sotah Ritual and Its Significance

This verse describes part of the sotah ritual (Numbers 5:11-31), where a woman suspected of adultery undergoes a solemn procedure administered by the kohen. The Torah establishes this process when a husband harbors suspicions but lacks witnesses to the alleged transgression.

Rashi's Explanation of the Oath

Rashi (on Numbers 5:21) explains that the phrase "The Lord make thee a curse and an oath" means the woman's fate will become a cautionary example. If she is guilty, her punishment will serve as a warning to others about the consequences of violating marital sanctity. If innocent, she will be blessed with children (as stated later in the passage).

Rambam's Legal Perspective

In Mishneh Torah (Sotah 1:1-3), Rambam outlines the halachic parameters of this procedure, emphasizing that it only applies when there were prior warnings witnessed by two people and the woman subsequently secluded herself with the suspected man. The oath serves as both a test of truth and a deterrent.

Physical Manifestations Explained

  • "Thy thigh to fall away": The Talmud (Sotah 8b) interprets this as the wasting away of the thigh area, representing the loss of reproductive capacity.
  • "Thy belly to swell": The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 9:12) connects this to a bloating that makes pregnancy impossible, showing the reversal of the natural order when marital boundaries are violated.

Kabbalistic Dimension

The Zohar (Naso 123a) explains that the sotah waters test the woman's connection to the divine presence (Shechinah). A guilty woman cannot withstand this spiritual scrutiny, causing the physical manifestations described in our verse.

Contemporary Halachic Status

The Mishnah (Sotah 9:9) states that the sotah ritual ceased when adulterers became numerous. However, the Rambam (Sotah 3:19) maintains that it could theoretically be reinstated if the Sanhedrin were reestablished and the Temple rebuilt.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 20a
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws concerning a woman suspected of adultery (Sotah), particularly the procedure of the bitter waters and the oath administered by the priest.
📖 Sotah 26b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the effects and implications of the oath and the curse mentioned in the verse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the 'oath of cursing' in Numbers 5:21 about?
A: This verse is part of the Torah's procedure for the Sotah (a woman suspected of adultery). The 'oath of cursing' is a solemn declaration administered by the Kohen (priest) to determine her innocence or guilt. According to Rashi, if she is guilty, the curse will take effect, causing physical consequences as described in the verse.
Q: Why does the verse mention the 'thigh falling away' and 'belly swelling'?
A: The Talmud (Sotah 8b) explains that these are physical consequences that would occur if the woman was guilty of adultery. The 'thigh falling away' refers to a wasting of the limbs, and the 'belly swelling' refers to bloating. These were miraculous signs from Hashem to reveal the truth in this specific judicial process.
Q: How does this apply today if we don't have the Sotah ritual?
A: While we no longer perform the Sotah ritual (as the Rambam explains in Hilchos Sotah, this procedure ceased when the Sanhedrin was dissolved), we learn about the severity of adultery and the importance of maintaining trust in marriage. The Sages also derive lessons about the power of words, as the oath had real consequences.
Q: Why was this test only for women and not for men?
A: The Talmud (Sotah 2a) explains that this procedure was specifically for women because men have different psychological tendencies regarding jealousy and suspicion. Additionally, since pregnancy could result from adultery, there was a particular need to address suspicions involving women. However, Jewish law prohibits adultery equally for both men and women.
Q: What is the significance of the priest administering this oath?
A: The Kohen's role, as explained by Rashi, was to ensure the process was conducted with proper sanctity and gravity. The Temple was a place of truth, and the Kohen served as Hashem's representative in this solemn procedure. His involvement elevated the process beyond a mere human judgment.