The Sages Measure the Sotah's Hidden Moment of Seclusion

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Nasso 11:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

"And it is hidden from her husband's eyes" (Numbers 5:13) — this excludes a blind man. Another interpretation: "And it is hidden from her husband's eyes" — that her husband should not be seeing and overlooking it. "And she is concealed" (ibid.). We have not yet heard a measure for the concealment. Rabbi Eleazar says: the time it takes for a palm tree to sway back. Rabbi Joshua says: the time it takes to mix the cup. Ben Azzai says: the time it takes to drink it. Rabbi Akiva says: the time it takes to roast an egg. Rabbi Judah says: the time it takes to eat three eggs one after another. Rabbi Eleazar ben Pinhas says: the time it takes for a weaver to tie the thread. Hanan says: the time it takes for her to put her finger into her mouth. Pelimo says: the time it takes for him to stretch out his hand over the basket to take a loaf of bread. And even though there is no proof for the matter, there is a remembrance for the matter, as it is said: "For on account of a harlot woman, down to a loaf of bread" (Proverbs 6:26).

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