The Spirit of Folly That Enters Adulterers in Tanchuma Nasso

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Nasso 7:1

"Any man whose wife goes astray (tisteh)" (Numbers 5:12). Our Rabbis taught: Adulterers do not commit adultery until a spirit of folly (shetut) enters into them, as it is said, "Any man whose wife goes astray (tisteh)." We have learned this concerning the woman. Concerning the man, from where [do we know it]? As it is said, "One who commits adultery with a woman lacks sense (literally, lacks heart)" (Proverbs 6:32).

Themes

Biblical References