Another matter: “Ish ish” – many set out to sea, and most of them return. There are individuals who go and do not return. So, many take wives; most are successful, but [some] individuals fail. “But the sinner will be ensnared by her” (Ecclesiastes 7:26).
Another matter: “Ish ish” – what is written previously? “They shall send out from the camp every leper…” (Numbers 5:2). Rabbi Tanḥum bar Ḥanilai said: Why is the portion of the leper written above, and after it the portion of sota? This is analogous to a female donkey that was ill. He took it to the veterinarian, he burned it, and it gave birth to a scarred foal. Why? It is because its mother was burned. So, the portion of the leper begot a scarred son.6The commentators say that this refers to the son of a leper who violated the prohibition on engaging in marital relations while he was a leper. This is the adulterer, in whose regard it is written: “To cause the belly to distend and the thigh to collapse” (Numbers 5:22).7This verse is written without gender and is expounded here as referring to the man. Likewise it says: “In the Lord causing your thigh to fall and your belly to distend” (Numbers 5:21).8This verse is written in the feminine, regarding the woman. That is, “ish ish.”