Why the Sotah Offering Has No Oil or Frankincense

"And he shall bring her offering for her, a tenth of an ephah of barley meal" (Numbers 5:15). Why does she bring barley meal? Because she behaved with him in the manner of a beast; therefore she brings as her offering the food of a beast. "He shall pour no oil upon it" (ibid.). Why shall he pour no oil upon it? Because oil is light and is called yitzhar, and this woman loved the darkness; therefore he shall pour no oil upon it. "Nor shall he put frankincense upon it" (ibid.). Why shall he not put frankincense upon it? Because the frankincense is a remembrance of the matriarchs, [as it is said:] "I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense" (Song of Songs 4:6); and this woman has separated herself from their ways; therefore it shall be a reminder of iniquity and not a reminder of merit. "And the priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel, and of the dust that is on the floor of the Tabernacle" (Numbers 5:17). He was created from the dust, and she was formed from the water; therefore she was examined with water and with dust, whether she is pure as at her creation or not. And further, why is she examined with water and with dust? Because they are her witnesses, as it is said: "I call to witness against you this day the heaven and the earth" (Deuteronomy 30:19).