A woman who is betrothed or waiting for levirate marriage does not drink the sotah water, but could be accused of being alone with a man (kinui and setira) and would lose her ketuba money. The same would be true if the marriage was forbidden from the start, such as a forbidden marriage for a priest, i.e. with a divorcee. The Mishna lists a number of other cases, some of which are a subject of debate about whether she can drink the water or whether she does or doesn’t lose her ketuba money. There are some cases where the court can intervene and do the kinui in place of the man, in a case where he is incapable. The Gemara first deals with the case of betrothal and levirate marriage and explains that the Mishna follows Rabbi Yonatan’s position as he disagrees with Rabbi Yoshiya who holds that a woman waiting for levirate marriage can drink the sotah water. What is the source in the Torah for each of their opinions and on what logic is each opinion based? The Gemara questions both of their opinions as they both say there is a verse to exclude a betrothed woman from drinking the sotah water, however, this can be learned from a different verse entirely. How is this resolved?
Sotah 24
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This month’s learning is sponsored by Adam, Carolyn, Michal, Josh, Benny, Izzy, Gali, Shim, Zoe, Zachy and Yehuda in loving memory of Fred Hochstadter, Ephraim ben Kayla veBaruch on his 18th yahrzeit on ח׳ אלול. “We continue to be inspired by his dedication to daily learning, from the Daf and beyond, to its surrounding philosophical, historical and legal nuances. We miss him greatly and can only strive to emulate his wise, kind and elegant ways.”
Sotah 24
וּנְתִינָה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, וּבַת יִשְׂרָאֵל לְמַמְזֵר וּלְנָתִין — לֹא שׁוֹתוֹת וְלֹא נוֹטְלוֹת כְּתוּבָה.
or Gibeonite woman who was married to a Jew of unflawed lineage, or a Jewish woman of unflawed lineage who was married to a mamzer or a Gibeonite, all of these women neither drink the bitter water nor collect payment of their marriage contracts, as the sota ritual applies only to permitted marriages.
וְאֵלּוּ לֹא שׁוֹתוֹת וְלֹא נוֹטְלוֹת כְּתוּבָה: הָאוֹמֶרֶת ״טְמֵאָה אֲנִי״, וְשֶׁבָּאוּ לָהּ עֵדִים שֶׁהִיא טְמֵאָה, וְהָאוֹמֶרֶת ״אֵינִי שׁוֹתָה״.
And the following women neither drink the bitter water nor collect payment of their marriage contracts: A woman who confesses and says: I am defiled, and a woman with regard to whom witnesses came and testified that she is defiled, and a woman who says: I will not drink the bitter water, even if she does not confess her guilt.
אָמַר בַּעְלָהּ ״אֵינִי מַשְׁקָהּ״, וְשֶׁבַּעְלָהּ בָּא עָלֶיהָ בַּדֶּרֶךְ — נוֹטְלוֹת כְּתוּבָּה וְלֹא שׁוֹתוֹת.
However, a woman whose husband said: I will not have her drink, and a woman whose husband engaged in sexual intercourse with her on the way to the Temple, collect payment of their marriage contracts even though they do not drink the bitter water, as it is due to the husbands that they do not drink.
מֵתוּ בַּעְלֵיהֶן עַד שֶׁלֹּא שָׁתוּ, בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים: נוֹטְלוֹת כְּתוּבָּה וְלֹא שׁוֹתוֹת, וּבֵית הִלֵּל אוֹמְרִים: אוֹ שׁוֹתוֹת אוֹ לֹא נוֹטְלוֹת כְּתוּבָּתָן.
If the husbands of sota women died before their wives drank the bitter water, Beit Shammai say: They collect payment of their marriage contracts and they do not drink the bitter water. And Beit Hillel say: They either drink the bitter water or they do not collect payment of their marriage contracts.
מְעוּבֶּרֶת חֲבֵירוֹ וּמְנִיקַת חֲבֵירוֹ — לֹא שׁוֹתוֹת וְלֹא נוֹטְלוֹת כְּתוּבָּה, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי מֵאִיר. וַחֲכָמִים אוֹמְרִים: יָכוֹל הוּא לְהַפְרִישָׁהּ וּלְהַחְזִירָהּ לְאַחַר זְמַן.
A woman who was pregnant with the child of another man at the time of her marriage and a woman who was nursing the child of another man at the time of her marriage neither drink the bitter water nor collect payment of their marriage contracts. This is because by rabbinic law they may not marry for twenty-four months after the baby’s birth, and therefore these also constitute prohibited marriages. This is the statement of Rabbi Meir. And the Rabbis say: He can separate from her, and remarry her after the time of twenty-four months has elapsed, and therefore these are considered permitted marriages, and the women can drink the bitter water.
אַיְילוֹנִית וּזְקֵינָה, וְשֶׁאֵינָהּ רְאוּיָה לֵילֵד — לֹא נוֹטְלוֹת כְּתוּבָּה וְלֹא שׁוֹתוֹת. רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר אוֹמֵר: יָכוֹל הוּא לִישָּׂא אִשָּׁה אַחֶרֶת וְלִפְרוֹת וְלִרְבּוֹת הֵימֶנָּה.
A sexually underdeveloped woman who is incapable of bearing children [ailonit], and an elderly woman, and a woman who is incapable of giving birth for other reasons, neither collect payment of their marriage contracts nor drink the bitter water, as marrying a woman who cannot give birth constitutes a violation of the mitzva to be fruitful and multiply. Rabbi Elazar says: He can marry another woman and procreate through her; therefore, these are considered permitted marriages, and women in these categories can drink the bitter water.
וּשְׁאָר כׇּל הַנָּשִׁים — אוֹ שׁוֹתוֹת אוֹ לֹא נוֹטְלוֹת כְּתוּבָּה. אֵשֶׁת כֹּהֵן שׁוֹתָה — וּמוּתֶּרֶת לְבַעְלָהּ. אֵשֶׁת סָרִיס שׁוֹתָה.
And all other women either drink the bitter water or do not collect payment of their marriage contracts. The wife of a priest drinks, and if she is found to be innocent of adultery, she is permitted to her husband. The wife of a eunuch also drinks.
עַל יְדֵי כׇּל עֲרָיוֹת מְקַנִּין, חוּץ מִן הַקָּטָן וּמִמִּי שֶׁאֵינוֹ אִישׁ.
A husband can issue a warning to his wife forbidding her to seclude herself with any man, even with regard to all those men with whom relations are forbidden, e.g., her father or brother, with the exception of a minor and of one who is not a man, i.e., in a situation where a man suspects his wife of bestiality.
וְאֵלּוּ שֶׁבֵּית דִּין מְקַנִּין לָהֶן: מִי שֶׁנִּתְחָרֵשׁ בַּעְלָהּ, אוֹ נִשְׁתַּטָּה, אוֹ שֶׁהָיָה חָבוּשׁ בְּבֵית הָאֲסוּרִין. לֹא לְהַשְׁקוֹתָהּ אָמְרוּ, אֶלָּא לְפוֹסְלָהּ מִכְּתוּבָּתָהּ. רַבִּי יוֹסֵי אוֹמֵר: אַף לְהַשְׁקוֹתָהּ. לִכְשֶׁיֵּצֵא בַּעְלָהּ מִבֵּית הָאֲסוּרִין יַשְׁקֶנָּה.
And these are the women to whom the court issues a warning in place of their husbands: One whose husband became a deaf-mute or became an imbecile, or was incarcerated in prison. The Sages said that the court warns her not in order to have her drink the bitter water if she disobeys the warning, but in order to disqualify her from receiving payment of her marriage contract. Rabbi Yosei says: The court’s warning also serves to have her drink, and when her husband is released from prison he has her drink.
גְּמָ׳ מִישְׁתָּא הוּא דְּלָא שָׁתְיָיא, הָא קַנּוֹיֵ[י] מְקַנֵּי לַהּ: מְנָא הָנֵי מִילֵּי? דְּתָנוּ רַבָּנַן: ״דַּבֵּר אֶל בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאָמַרְתָּ״ — לְרַבּוֹת אֲרוּסָה וְשׁוֹמֶרֶת יָבָם לְקִינּוּי.
GEMARA: The mishna states that a betrothed woman and a widow awaiting her yavam do not drink the bitter water. The Gemara infers: She does not drink, but the husband or yavam can warn her against secluding herself with another man, and if she violates his warning, she is forbidden to him. The Gemara asks: From where are these matters derived? The Gemara answers: This is derived as the Sages taught with regard to the verse: “Speak to the children of Israel and say unto them: If the wife of any man goes astray, and acts unfaithfully against him” (Numbers 5:12). The superfluous phrase “and say unto them” is an amplification, and serves to include a betrothed woman and a widow awaiting her yavam in the halakhot of warning.
וּמַתְנִיתִין מַנִּי — רַבִּי יוֹנָתָן הִיא. דְּתַנְיָא: ״תַּחַת אִישֵׁךְ״, פְּרָט לַאֲרוּסָה. יָכוֹל שֶׁאֲנִי מוֹצִיא אַף שׁוֹמֶרֶת יָבָם, תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״אִישׁ אִישׁ״, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי יֹאשִׁיָּה.
And whose opinion is expressed in the mishna? It is the opinion of Rabbi Yonatan, as it is taught in a baraita with regard to the verse: “And the priest shall cause her to swear, and shall say to the woman: If no man has lain with you, and if you have not gone aside to defilement while under your husband” (Numbers 5:19). This excludes a betrothed woman, who does not yet live with her betrothed, from the ritual of the bitter water. One might have thought that I exclude even a widow awaiting her yavam; therefore, the verse states: “If the wife of any man goes astray” (Numbers 5:12). The term “any man” serves to include a widow awaiting her yavam in the ritual of the bitter water. This is the statement of Rabbi Yoshiya.
רַבִּי יוֹנָתָן אוֹמֵר: ״תַּחַת אִישֵׁךְ״ — פְּרָט לְשׁוֹמֶרֶת יָבָם. אוֹצִיא שׁוֹמֶרֶת יָבָם וְלֹא אוֹצִיא אֶת אֲרוּסָה, תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״אֲשֶׁר תִּשְׂטֶה אִשָּׁה תַּחַת אִישָׁהּ״ — פְּרָט לַאֲרוּסָה.
Rabbi Yonatan says: The phrase “while under your husband” excludes a widow awaiting her yavam from drinking the bitter water. Lest one would say that I will exclude a widow awaiting her yavam but I will not exclude a betrothed woman, the verse therefore states: “This is the law of jealousy, when a wife, while under her husband, goes astray, and is defiled” (Numbers 5:29). The term “while under her husband” excludes a betrothed woman from drinking the bitter water.
מָר אַלִּימָא לֵיהּ אֲרוּסָה, דְּקִידּוּשֵׁי דִּידֵיהּ, וְסוֹקְלִין עַל יָדוֹ.
The Gemara explains the dispute: One Sage, Rabbi Yonatan, holds that the bond with the betrothed woman is stronger, as it is his own betrothal, whereas in the case of a widow awaiting her yavam, the bond stems from his brother’s betrothal. And furthermore, if the betrothed woman commits adultery, she is stoned due to her bond with him, whereas a widow awaiting her yavam who engages in sexual intercourse with another man is liable only to receive lashes. Since the bond with the betrothed woman is stronger, Rabbi Yonatan derives from the phrase “while under your husband” that a widow awaiting her yavam is excluded with respect to the bitter water, whereas a betrothed woman is excluded only because of the phrase “and say unto them.”
וּמָר אַלִּימָא לֵיהּ שׁוֹמֶרֶת יָבָם, דְּלָא מְיחַסְּרָא מְסִירָה לְחוּפָּה.
And one Sage, Rabbi Yoshiya, holds that the bond with the widow awaiting her yavam is stronger, as she is not lacking entry into the wedding canopy, as her marriage to the yavam is completed through sexual intercourse alone. Rabbi Yoshiya therefore excludes only a betrothed woman from drinking the bitter water.
וְרַבִּי יוֹנָתָן, הַאי ״אִישׁ אִישׁ״ מַאי עָבֵיד לֵיהּ? מִיבְּעֵי לֵיהּ לְרַבּוֹת אֵשֶׁת חֵרֵשׁ, וְאֵשֶׁת שׁוֹטֶה, וְאֵשֶׁת
The Gemara asks: And Rabbi Yonatan, who excludes both a betrothed woman and a widow awaiting her yavam from drinking the bitter water, what does he do with this term “any man”? What does it serve to include? The Gemara answers: Rabbi Yonatan requires it in order to include the wife of a deaf-mute and the wife of an imbecile, and the wife of
שַׁעֲמוּם. וְרַבִּי יֹאשִׁיָּה, הַאי ״תַּחַת אִישָׁהּ״ מַאי עָבֵיד לֵיהּ? מִיבְּעֵי לֵיהּ לְהַקִּישׁ אִישׁ לְאִשָּׁה וְאִשָּׁה לְאִישׁ.
a mentally ill person [shiamum], whom the court warns on behalf of the husband. The Gemara asks: And according to Rabbi Yoshiya, what does he do with this term “while under her husband”? The Gemara answers: Rabbi Yoshiya requires it in order to compare a man to a woman and a woman to a man, as explained later (27a).
אֶלָּא, טַעְמָא דִּכְתִיבִי הָנֵי קְרָאֵי, הָא לָאו הָכִי, הֲוָה אָמֵינָא אֲרוּסָה שָׁתְיָא? וְהָא כִּי אֲתָא רַבִּי אַחָא בַּר חֲנִינָא מִדָּרוֹמָא, אֲתָא וְאַיְיתִי מַתְנִיתָא בִּידֵיהּ: ״מִבַּלְעֲדֵי אִישֵׁךְ״, מִשֶּׁקָּדְמָה שְׁכִיבַת בַּעַל לַבּוֹעֵל, וְלֹא שֶׁקָּדְמָה שְׁכִיבַת בּוֹעֵל לַבַּעַל.
The Gemara asks: But according to both opinions, the reason for the exclusion of a betrothed woman is that these verses are written; if it were not so, I would say that a betrothed woman drinks. But when Rabbi Aḥa bar Ḥanina came from the South, he came and brought the following baraita with him: The verse states: “But if you have gone astray while under your husband, and if you are defiled, and some man has lain with you besides your husband” (Numbers 5:20). This indicates that the halakhot of a sota apply only when sexual intercourse with the husband preceded sexual intercourse with the paramour, and not in a case when sexual intercourse with the paramour preceded intercourse with the husband. In the case of a betrothed woman who committed adultery, intercourse with the paramour preceded intercourse with the betrothed, and this verse excludes her from drinking the bitter water of the sota.
אָמַר רָמֵי בַּר חָמָא: מַשְׁכַּחַתְּ לַהּ — כְּגוֹן שֶׁבָּא עָלֶיהָ אָרוּס בְּבֵית אָבִיהָ.
Rami bar Ḥama said: You find the necessity for an additional exclusion in a case where her betrothed engaged in sexual intercourse with her in her father’s house, i.e., before they were married, and before the sexual intercourse with the paramour.
דִּכְווֹתַהּ גַּבֵּי שׁוֹמֶרֶת יָבָם — כְּגוֹן שֶׁבָּא עָלֶיהָ יָבָם בְּבֵית חָמִיהָ. הָא שׁוֹמֶרֶת יָבָם קָרֵית לַהּ? אִשְׁתּוֹ מְעַלַּיְיתָא הִיא, דְּהָאָמַר רַב: קָנָה לַכֹּל!
The Gemara questions this explanation: In the corresponding situation with regard to a widow awaiting her yavam, whom Rabbi Yonatan excludes from the sota ritual due to the exclusion from the phrase “while under your husband,” is the necessity for this exclusion due to a case where the yavam engaged in sexual intercourse with her in her father-in-law’s house before the levirate marriage took place? But do you call that woman a widow awaiting her yavam? She is his full-fledged wife, as didn’t Rav say: If a widow awaiting her yavam engaged in sexual intercourse with her yavam, even without the intention of implementing a levirate marriage, he has acquired her as his wife with respect to all aspects of marriage, including the halakhot of a sota.
כִּשְׁמוּאֵל, דְּאָמַר: לֹא קָנָה אֶלָּא לִדְבָרִים הָאֲמוּרִים בַּפָּרָשָׁה.
The Gemara answers: Rabbi Yonatan’s opinion is in accordance with the opinion of Shmuel, as Shmuel says: A yavam who engages in sexual intercourse with his yevama without intending to consummate the levirate marriage does not acquire her as his wife except with regard to those matters that are stated in the passage in the Torah that deals with levirate marriage, i.e., that he inherits his brother’s estate, and he can free the widow with a bill of divorce without ḥalitza (see Yevamot 56a). He is not considered fully married to the woman, and, according to Rabbi Yonatan, the halakhot of a sota do not apply to her.
אִי הָכִי, לֵימָא רַב דְּאָמַר כְּרַבִּי יֹאשִׁיָּה וּשְׁמוּאֵל דְּאָמַר כְּרַבִּי יוֹנָתָן? אָמַר לָךְ רַב: אֲנָא דַּאֲמַרִי — אֲפִילּוּ לְרַבִּי יוֹנָתָן. מִדְּאִיצְטְרִיךְ קְרָא לְמַעוֹטַהּ — מִכְּלַל דְּאִשְׁתּוֹ מְעַלַּיְיתָא הִיא.
The Gemara asks: If so, let us say that Rav stated his opinion in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yoshiya, and Shmuel stated his opinion in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yonatan. The Gemara rejects this interpretation: Rav could have said to you: I state my opinion even according to the opinion of Rabbi Yonatan. Since it was necessary for the verse to exclude a yevama who engaged in sexual intercourse with her yavam from the sota ritual, by inference one may derive that she is his full-fledged wife with regard to all other matters.
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I went to day school in Toronto but really began to learn when I attended Brovenders back in the early 1980’s. Last year after talking to my sister who was learning Daf Yomi, inspired, I looked on the computer and the Hadran site came up. I have been listening to each days shiur in the morning as I work. I emphasis listening since I am not sitting with a Gamara. I listen while I work in my studio.
Tekoa, Israel
In my Shana bet at Migdal Oz I attended the Hadran siyum hash”as. Witnessing so many women so passionate about their Torah learning and connection to God, I knew I had to begin with the coming cycle. My wedding (June 24) was two weeks before the siyum of mesechet yoma so I went a little ahead and was able to make a speech and siyum at my kiseh kallah on my wedding day!
Givat Shmuel, Israel
When I began the previous cycle, I promised myself that if I stuck with it, I would reward myself with a trip to Israel. Little did I know that the trip would involve attending the first ever women’s siyum and being inspired by so many learners. I am now over 2 years into my second cycle and being part of this large, diverse, fascinating learning family has enhanced my learning exponentially.
Minnesota, United States
In January 2020, my chevruta suggested that we “up our game. Let’s do Daf Yomi” – and she sent me the Hadran link. I lost my job (and went freelance), there was a pandemic, and I am still opening the podcast with my breakfast coffee, or after Shabbat with popcorn. My Aramaic is improving. I will need a new bookcase, though.
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Inspired by Hadran’s first Siyum ha Shas L’Nashim two years ago, I began daf yomi right after for the next cycle. As to this extraordinary journey together with Hadran..as TS Eliot wrote “We must not cease from exploration and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we began and to know the place for the first time.
Jerusalem, Israel
I heard the new Daf Yomi cycle was starting and I was curious, so I searched online for a women’s class and was pleasently surprised to find Rabanit Michelle’s great class reviews in many online articles. It has been a splendid journey. It is a way to fill my days with Torah, learning so many amazing things I have never heard before during my Tanach learning at High School. Thanks so much .
Panama, Panama
I began to learn this cycle of Daf Yomi after my husband passed away 2 1/2 years ago. It seemed a good way to connect to him. Even though I don’t know whether he would have encouraged women learning Gemara, it would have opened wonderful conversations. It also gives me more depth for understanding my frum children and grandchildren. Thank you Hadran and Rabbanit Michelle Farber!!
Tzur Hadassah, Israel
Attending the Siyyum in Jerusalem 26 months ago inspired me to become part of this community of learners. So many aspects of Jewish life have been illuminated by what we have learned in Seder Moed. My day is not complete without daf Yomi. I am so grateful to Rabbanit Michelle and the Hadran Community.
Newton, United States
I’ve been learning since January 2020, and in June I started drawing a phrase from each daf. Sometimes it’s easy (e.g. plants), sometimes it’s very hard (e.g. korbanot), and sometimes it’s loads of fun (e.g. bird racing) to find something to draw. I upload my pictures from each masechet to #DafYomiArt. I am enjoying every step of the journey.
Ashdod, Israel
I started last year after completing the Pesach Sugiyot class. Masechet Yoma might seem like a difficult set of topics, but for me made Yom Kippur and the Beit HaMikdash come alive. Liturgy I’d always had trouble connecting with took on new meaning as I gained a sense of real people moving through specific spaces in particular ways. It was the perfect introduction; I am so grateful for Hadran!
Minnesota, United States
I was exposed to Talmud in high school, but I was truly inspired after my daughter and I decided to attend the Women’s Siyum Shas in 2020. We knew that this was a historic moment. We were blown away, overcome with emotion at the euphoria of the revolution. Right then, I knew I would continue. My commitment deepened with the every-morning Virtual Beit Midrash on Zoom with R. Michelle.
Zichron Yaakov, Israel
I started learning Daf Yomi inspired by תָּפַסְתָּ מְרוּבֶּה לֹא תָּפַסְתָּ, תָּפַסְתָּ מוּעָט תָּפַסְתָּ. I thought I’d start the first page, and then see. I was swept up into the enthusiasm of the Hadran Siyum, and from there the momentum kept building. Rabbanit Michelle’s shiur gives me an anchor, a connection to an incredible virtual community, and an energy to face whatever the day brings.
בית שמש, Israel
Tel Aviv, Israel
I had dreamed of doing daf yomi since I had my first serious Talmud class 18 years ago at Pardes with Rahel Berkovitz, and then a couple of summers with Leah Rosenthal. There is no way I would be able to do it without another wonderful teacher, Michelle, and the Hadran organization. I wake up and am excited to start each day with the next daf.
Irvine, United States
Sotah 24
וּנְתִינָה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, וּבַת יִשְׂרָאֵל לְמַמְזֵר וּלְנָתִין — לֹא שׁוֹתוֹת וְלֹא נוֹטְלוֹת כְּתוּבָה.
or Gibeonite woman who was married to a Jew of unflawed lineage, or a Jewish woman of unflawed lineage who was married to a mamzer or a Gibeonite, all of these women neither drink the bitter water nor collect payment of their marriage contracts, as the sota ritual applies only to permitted marriages.
וְאֵלּוּ לֹא שׁוֹתוֹת וְלֹא נוֹטְלוֹת כְּתוּבָה: הָאוֹמֶרֶת ״טְמֵאָה אֲנִי״, וְשֶׁבָּאוּ לָהּ עֵדִים שֶׁהִיא טְמֵאָה, וְהָאוֹמֶרֶת ״אֵינִי שׁוֹתָה״.
And the following women neither drink the bitter water nor collect payment of their marriage contracts: A woman who confesses and says: I am defiled, and a woman with regard to whom witnesses came and testified that she is defiled, and a woman who says: I will not drink the bitter water, even if she does not confess her guilt.
אָמַר בַּעְלָהּ ״אֵינִי מַשְׁקָהּ״, וְשֶׁבַּעְלָהּ בָּא עָלֶיהָ בַּדֶּרֶךְ — נוֹטְלוֹת כְּתוּבָּה וְלֹא שׁוֹתוֹת.
However, a woman whose husband said: I will not have her drink, and a woman whose husband engaged in sexual intercourse with her on the way to the Temple, collect payment of their marriage contracts even though they do not drink the bitter water, as it is due to the husbands that they do not drink.
מֵתוּ בַּעְלֵיהֶן עַד שֶׁלֹּא שָׁתוּ, בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים: נוֹטְלוֹת כְּתוּבָּה וְלֹא שׁוֹתוֹת, וּבֵית הִלֵּל אוֹמְרִים: אוֹ שׁוֹתוֹת אוֹ לֹא נוֹטְלוֹת כְּתוּבָּתָן.
If the husbands of sota women died before their wives drank the bitter water, Beit Shammai say: They collect payment of their marriage contracts and they do not drink the bitter water. And Beit Hillel say: They either drink the bitter water or they do not collect payment of their marriage contracts.
מְעוּבֶּרֶת חֲבֵירוֹ וּמְנִיקַת חֲבֵירוֹ — לֹא שׁוֹתוֹת וְלֹא נוֹטְלוֹת כְּתוּבָּה, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי מֵאִיר. וַחֲכָמִים אוֹמְרִים: יָכוֹל הוּא לְהַפְרִישָׁהּ וּלְהַחְזִירָהּ לְאַחַר זְמַן.
A woman who was pregnant with the child of another man at the time of her marriage and a woman who was nursing the child of another man at the time of her marriage neither drink the bitter water nor collect payment of their marriage contracts. This is because by rabbinic law they may not marry for twenty-four months after the baby’s birth, and therefore these also constitute prohibited marriages. This is the statement of Rabbi Meir. And the Rabbis say: He can separate from her, and remarry her after the time of twenty-four months has elapsed, and therefore these are considered permitted marriages, and the women can drink the bitter water.
אַיְילוֹנִית וּזְקֵינָה, וְשֶׁאֵינָהּ רְאוּיָה לֵילֵד — לֹא נוֹטְלוֹת כְּתוּבָּה וְלֹא שׁוֹתוֹת. רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר אוֹמֵר: יָכוֹל הוּא לִישָּׂא אִשָּׁה אַחֶרֶת וְלִפְרוֹת וְלִרְבּוֹת הֵימֶנָּה.
A sexually underdeveloped woman who is incapable of bearing children [ailonit], and an elderly woman, and a woman who is incapable of giving birth for other reasons, neither collect payment of their marriage contracts nor drink the bitter water, as marrying a woman who cannot give birth constitutes a violation of the mitzva to be fruitful and multiply. Rabbi Elazar says: He can marry another woman and procreate through her; therefore, these are considered permitted marriages, and women in these categories can drink the bitter water.
וּשְׁאָר כׇּל הַנָּשִׁים — אוֹ שׁוֹתוֹת אוֹ לֹא נוֹטְלוֹת כְּתוּבָּה. אֵשֶׁת כֹּהֵן שׁוֹתָה — וּמוּתֶּרֶת לְבַעְלָהּ. אֵשֶׁת סָרִיס שׁוֹתָה.
And all other women either drink the bitter water or do not collect payment of their marriage contracts. The wife of a priest drinks, and if she is found to be innocent of adultery, she is permitted to her husband. The wife of a eunuch also drinks.
עַל יְדֵי כׇּל עֲרָיוֹת מְקַנִּין, חוּץ מִן הַקָּטָן וּמִמִּי שֶׁאֵינוֹ אִישׁ.
A husband can issue a warning to his wife forbidding her to seclude herself with any man, even with regard to all those men with whom relations are forbidden, e.g., her father or brother, with the exception of a minor and of one who is not a man, i.e., in a situation where a man suspects his wife of bestiality.
וְאֵלּוּ שֶׁבֵּית דִּין מְקַנִּין לָהֶן: מִי שֶׁנִּתְחָרֵשׁ בַּעְלָהּ, אוֹ נִשְׁתַּטָּה, אוֹ שֶׁהָיָה חָבוּשׁ בְּבֵית הָאֲסוּרִין. לֹא לְהַשְׁקוֹתָהּ אָמְרוּ, אֶלָּא לְפוֹסְלָהּ מִכְּתוּבָּתָהּ. רַבִּי יוֹסֵי אוֹמֵר: אַף לְהַשְׁקוֹתָהּ. לִכְשֶׁיֵּצֵא בַּעְלָהּ מִבֵּית הָאֲסוּרִין יַשְׁקֶנָּה.
And these are the women to whom the court issues a warning in place of their husbands: One whose husband became a deaf-mute or became an imbecile, or was incarcerated in prison. The Sages said that the court warns her not in order to have her drink the bitter water if she disobeys the warning, but in order to disqualify her from receiving payment of her marriage contract. Rabbi Yosei says: The court’s warning also serves to have her drink, and when her husband is released from prison he has her drink.
גְּמָ׳ מִישְׁתָּא הוּא דְּלָא שָׁתְיָיא, הָא קַנּוֹיֵ[י] מְקַנֵּי לַהּ: מְנָא הָנֵי מִילֵּי? דְּתָנוּ רַבָּנַן: ״דַּבֵּר אֶל בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאָמַרְתָּ״ — לְרַבּוֹת אֲרוּסָה וְשׁוֹמֶרֶת יָבָם לְקִינּוּי.
GEMARA: The mishna states that a betrothed woman and a widow awaiting her yavam do not drink the bitter water. The Gemara infers: She does not drink, but the husband or yavam can warn her against secluding herself with another man, and if she violates his warning, she is forbidden to him. The Gemara asks: From where are these matters derived? The Gemara answers: This is derived as the Sages taught with regard to the verse: “Speak to the children of Israel and say unto them: If the wife of any man goes astray, and acts unfaithfully against him” (Numbers 5:12). The superfluous phrase “and say unto them” is an amplification, and serves to include a betrothed woman and a widow awaiting her yavam in the halakhot of warning.
וּמַתְנִיתִין מַנִּי — רַבִּי יוֹנָתָן הִיא. דְּתַנְיָא: ״תַּחַת אִישֵׁךְ״, פְּרָט לַאֲרוּסָה. יָכוֹל שֶׁאֲנִי מוֹצִיא אַף שׁוֹמֶרֶת יָבָם, תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״אִישׁ אִישׁ״, דִּבְרֵי רַבִּי יֹאשִׁיָּה.
And whose opinion is expressed in the mishna? It is the opinion of Rabbi Yonatan, as it is taught in a baraita with regard to the verse: “And the priest shall cause her to swear, and shall say to the woman: If no man has lain with you, and if you have not gone aside to defilement while under your husband” (Numbers 5:19). This excludes a betrothed woman, who does not yet live with her betrothed, from the ritual of the bitter water. One might have thought that I exclude even a widow awaiting her yavam; therefore, the verse states: “If the wife of any man goes astray” (Numbers 5:12). The term “any man” serves to include a widow awaiting her yavam in the ritual of the bitter water. This is the statement of Rabbi Yoshiya.
רַבִּי יוֹנָתָן אוֹמֵר: ״תַּחַת אִישֵׁךְ״ — פְּרָט לְשׁוֹמֶרֶת יָבָם. אוֹצִיא שׁוֹמֶרֶת יָבָם וְלֹא אוֹצִיא אֶת אֲרוּסָה, תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: ״אֲשֶׁר תִּשְׂטֶה אִשָּׁה תַּחַת אִישָׁהּ״ — פְּרָט לַאֲרוּסָה.
Rabbi Yonatan says: The phrase “while under your husband” excludes a widow awaiting her yavam from drinking the bitter water. Lest one would say that I will exclude a widow awaiting her yavam but I will not exclude a betrothed woman, the verse therefore states: “This is the law of jealousy, when a wife, while under her husband, goes astray, and is defiled” (Numbers 5:29). The term “while under her husband” excludes a betrothed woman from drinking the bitter water.
מָר אַלִּימָא לֵיהּ אֲרוּסָה, דְּקִידּוּשֵׁי דִּידֵיהּ, וְסוֹקְלִין עַל יָדוֹ.
The Gemara explains the dispute: One Sage, Rabbi Yonatan, holds that the bond with the betrothed woman is stronger, as it is his own betrothal, whereas in the case of a widow awaiting her yavam, the bond stems from his brother’s betrothal. And furthermore, if the betrothed woman commits adultery, she is stoned due to her bond with him, whereas a widow awaiting her yavam who engages in sexual intercourse with another man is liable only to receive lashes. Since the bond with the betrothed woman is stronger, Rabbi Yonatan derives from the phrase “while under your husband” that a widow awaiting her yavam is excluded with respect to the bitter water, whereas a betrothed woman is excluded only because of the phrase “and say unto them.”
וּמָר אַלִּימָא לֵיהּ שׁוֹמֶרֶת יָבָם, דְּלָא מְיחַסְּרָא מְסִירָה לְחוּפָּה.
And one Sage, Rabbi Yoshiya, holds that the bond with the widow awaiting her yavam is stronger, as she is not lacking entry into the wedding canopy, as her marriage to the yavam is completed through sexual intercourse alone. Rabbi Yoshiya therefore excludes only a betrothed woman from drinking the bitter water.
וְרַבִּי יוֹנָתָן, הַאי ״אִישׁ אִישׁ״ מַאי עָבֵיד לֵיהּ? מִיבְּעֵי לֵיהּ לְרַבּוֹת אֵשֶׁת חֵרֵשׁ, וְאֵשֶׁת שׁוֹטֶה, וְאֵשֶׁת
The Gemara asks: And Rabbi Yonatan, who excludes both a betrothed woman and a widow awaiting her yavam from drinking the bitter water, what does he do with this term “any man”? What does it serve to include? The Gemara answers: Rabbi Yonatan requires it in order to include the wife of a deaf-mute and the wife of an imbecile, and the wife of
שַׁעֲמוּם. וְרַבִּי יֹאשִׁיָּה, הַאי ״תַּחַת אִישָׁהּ״ מַאי עָבֵיד לֵיהּ? מִיבְּעֵי לֵיהּ לְהַקִּישׁ אִישׁ לְאִשָּׁה וְאִשָּׁה לְאִישׁ.
a mentally ill person [shiamum], whom the court warns on behalf of the husband. The Gemara asks: And according to Rabbi Yoshiya, what does he do with this term “while under her husband”? The Gemara answers: Rabbi Yoshiya requires it in order to compare a man to a woman and a woman to a man, as explained later (27a).
אֶלָּא, טַעְמָא דִּכְתִיבִי הָנֵי קְרָאֵי, הָא לָאו הָכִי, הֲוָה אָמֵינָא אֲרוּסָה שָׁתְיָא? וְהָא כִּי אֲתָא רַבִּי אַחָא בַּר חֲנִינָא מִדָּרוֹמָא, אֲתָא וְאַיְיתִי מַתְנִיתָא בִּידֵיהּ: ״מִבַּלְעֲדֵי אִישֵׁךְ״, מִשֶּׁקָּדְמָה שְׁכִיבַת בַּעַל לַבּוֹעֵל, וְלֹא שֶׁקָּדְמָה שְׁכִיבַת בּוֹעֵל לַבַּעַל.
The Gemara asks: But according to both opinions, the reason for the exclusion of a betrothed woman is that these verses are written; if it were not so, I would say that a betrothed woman drinks. But when Rabbi Aḥa bar Ḥanina came from the South, he came and brought the following baraita with him: The verse states: “But if you have gone astray while under your husband, and if you are defiled, and some man has lain with you besides your husband” (Numbers 5:20). This indicates that the halakhot of a sota apply only when sexual intercourse with the husband preceded sexual intercourse with the paramour, and not in a case when sexual intercourse with the paramour preceded intercourse with the husband. In the case of a betrothed woman who committed adultery, intercourse with the paramour preceded intercourse with the betrothed, and this verse excludes her from drinking the bitter water of the sota.
אָמַר רָמֵי בַּר חָמָא: מַשְׁכַּחַתְּ לַהּ — כְּגוֹן שֶׁבָּא עָלֶיהָ אָרוּס בְּבֵית אָבִיהָ.
Rami bar Ḥama said: You find the necessity for an additional exclusion in a case where her betrothed engaged in sexual intercourse with her in her father’s house, i.e., before they were married, and before the sexual intercourse with the paramour.
דִּכְווֹתַהּ גַּבֵּי שׁוֹמֶרֶת יָבָם — כְּגוֹן שֶׁבָּא עָלֶיהָ יָבָם בְּבֵית חָמִיהָ. הָא שׁוֹמֶרֶת יָבָם קָרֵית לַהּ? אִשְׁתּוֹ מְעַלַּיְיתָא הִיא, דְּהָאָמַר רַב: קָנָה לַכֹּל!
The Gemara questions this explanation: In the corresponding situation with regard to a widow awaiting her yavam, whom Rabbi Yonatan excludes from the sota ritual due to the exclusion from the phrase “while under your husband,” is the necessity for this exclusion due to a case where the yavam engaged in sexual intercourse with her in her father-in-law’s house before the levirate marriage took place? But do you call that woman a widow awaiting her yavam? She is his full-fledged wife, as didn’t Rav say: If a widow awaiting her yavam engaged in sexual intercourse with her yavam, even without the intention of implementing a levirate marriage, he has acquired her as his wife with respect to all aspects of marriage, including the halakhot of a sota.
כִּשְׁמוּאֵל, דְּאָמַר: לֹא קָנָה אֶלָּא לִדְבָרִים הָאֲמוּרִים בַּפָּרָשָׁה.
The Gemara answers: Rabbi Yonatan’s opinion is in accordance with the opinion of Shmuel, as Shmuel says: A yavam who engages in sexual intercourse with his yevama without intending to consummate the levirate marriage does not acquire her as his wife except with regard to those matters that are stated in the passage in the Torah that deals with levirate marriage, i.e., that he inherits his brother’s estate, and he can free the widow with a bill of divorce without ḥalitza (see Yevamot 56a). He is not considered fully married to the woman, and, according to Rabbi Yonatan, the halakhot of a sota do not apply to her.
אִי הָכִי, לֵימָא רַב דְּאָמַר כְּרַבִּי יֹאשִׁיָּה וּשְׁמוּאֵל דְּאָמַר כְּרַבִּי יוֹנָתָן? אָמַר לָךְ רַב: אֲנָא דַּאֲמַרִי — אֲפִילּוּ לְרַבִּי יוֹנָתָן. מִדְּאִיצְטְרִיךְ קְרָא לְמַעוֹטַהּ — מִכְּלַל דְּאִשְׁתּוֹ מְעַלַּיְיתָא הִיא.
The Gemara asks: If so, let us say that Rav stated his opinion in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yoshiya, and Shmuel stated his opinion in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yonatan. The Gemara rejects this interpretation: Rav could have said to you: I state my opinion even according to the opinion of Rabbi Yonatan. Since it was necessary for the verse to exclude a yevama who engaged in sexual intercourse with her yavam from the sota ritual, by inference one may derive that she is his full-fledged wife with regard to all other matters.
