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The gemara in Sota (2b) presents three opinions on the topic. Reish Lakish says that it is a matter of "placing jealousy between the woman and others." Abaye is cited as saying that it places jealousy between the husband and wife. The gemara concludes that according to these exegetical opinions, it is forbidden for the husband to go through the process of kinuy. According to the opinion (Rav Nachman) that it is permitted to do kinuy, the word means a warning.
According to the first approach, then, the husband’s negative response to her perceived excessive connection with other men is indeed negative, as it creates a feeling of tension within the wife’s circle of interaction, without grounded suspicions. The "spirit of kin’ah" that the Torah refers to is thus a spirit of foolishness. Rashi explains it as a matter of anger. According to Rav Nachman, that it is permitted to give this warning, the kinuy is a result of a spirit of purity.
The halacha is that the entire process of investigation, denial, and the drinking of the special, potentially lethal waters cannot commence unless the husband warns his wife and expresses to her his suspicions. This must be done in front of two witnesses. As Rashi on the Torah and the Rambam (Sota 1:1) say: "The kinuy that the Torah refers to is … that he will say to her in front of witnesses: ‘Do not be in a secluded place with Ploni (a specific, named person).’"
This root appears in other places, which strengthen respective explanations. "They have done kin’ah to me with a non-God, they have angered me in their vanities, and I have done kin’ah to them with a non-nation, with a disgusting nation I will upset them" (Devarim 32:21). This seems to follow the first approach, that kin’ah is a negative phenomenon, initiated by the sinful nation.
An indication to the second approach can be found in Yoel (2:18). "Hashem had kin’ah for His land, and He had mercy on His nation." Rashi there explains (in his second explanation) that this is referring to a warning.
Let us point out that the Torah ends this section with a pronouncement: "The man will be clean of sin" (Bamidbar 5:31). The Rabbis explain that the reliability of the sacred waters to punish the women who sinned and denied it requires the husband to be totally clear of infringements in the matter of elicit relations (see Rabbeinu Bachyei ad loc.) About hypocritical people, the Rabbis said: "First adorn yourself; afterward, adorn others."
Let us pray that whether in the individual or the public sphere, we in the State of Israel shall be worthy of the blessing to the modest: "How good are your tents, Yaakov, your living places, Israel" (Bamidbar 24:5).
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Rabbis in Midrash
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
