## Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity Chapter 3

###### Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:1
[Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mishneh%20Torah%2C%20Woman%20Suspected%20of%20Infidelity/r/3:1)

כֵּיצַד סֵדֶר הַשְׁקָאַת סוֹטָה. הַבַּעַל בָּא לְבֵית דִּין שֶׁבְּעִירוֹ וְאוֹמֵר לָהֶן אִשְׁתִּי זוֹ קִנֵּאתִי לָהּ עִם פְּלוֹנִי וְנִסְתְּרָה עִמּוֹ וְאֵלּוּ הֵן עֵדַי וַהֲרֵי הִיא אוֹמֶרֶת שֶׁהִיא טְהוֹרָה וַאֲנִי רוֹצֶה לְהַשְׁקוֹתָהּ לִבְדֹּק הַדָּבָר. וּבֵית דִּין שׁוֹמְעִין דִּבְרֵי הָעֵדִים. וּמוֹסְרִין לוֹ שְׁנֵי תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים לְשָׁמְרוֹ שֶׁמָּא יָבֹא עָלֶיהָ קֹדֶם שְׁתִיָּה. שֶׁהֲרֵי נֶאֶסְרָה עָלָיו עַד שֶׁתִּשְׁתֶּה. וּמְשַׁלְּחִין אוֹתוֹ לִירוּשָׁלַיִם שֶׁאֵין מַשְׁקִין אֶת הַסּוֹטָה אֶלָּא בְּבֵית דִּין הַגָּדוֹל שֶׁל שִׁבְעִים זְקֵנִים בַּמִּקְדָּשׁ:

**Mishneh Torah, trans. by Eliyahu Touger. Jerusalem, Moznaim Pub. c1986-c2007:**
What is the process through which a *sotah* is compelled to drink the bitter water? First the husband comes to the court in his city and tells them: "I warned my wife [not to enter into privacy] with so and so, and she entered into privacy with him. These are the witnesses who will confirm my statements. She claims not to have committed adultery. I desire to have her drink the bitter water to verify this matter."
The court then listens to the testimony of the witnesses. [If it is substantial,] they provide [the husband] with two sages¹ 1:3). to watch over him, lest he engage in relations with her before she drinks the bitter water, for she is prohibited to him until that time,² and he is sent to Jerusalem. For a *sotah* is compelled to drink [the bitter water] only by the Supreme Court of 70 elders,³, the highest Jewish court. The obligation for a case involving a *sotah* to be tried before this body is derived from an association between this case and a rebellious elder (*Sotah* 7b). who [hold session] in the Temple.⁴ would hold session in the Chamber of Hewn Stone, which was located half within the Temple Courtyard and half outside the Temple Courtyard.
Note the responsum of the *Chida, Chayim Sha'al*, (Volume II, section 4), which states that the High Court can try a *sotah* even when it does not hold session in the Temple Courtyard. Rather, according to his interpretation, the words "in the Temple" refer to the process of testing a *sotah*. Every aspect of the test is carried out in the Temple.

footnotes:
¹ For they know that she is forbidden to him and will warn him against engaging in relations with her (Rambam's Commentary on the Mishnah, Sotah
² And if he engages in relations with her, the bitter water will not test her fidelity, as reflected by Chapter 2, Halachah 5.
³ This refers to the Sanhedrin
⁴ More precisely, the Sanhedrin


###### Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:2
[Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mishneh%20Torah%2C%20Woman%20Suspected%20of%20Infidelity/r/3:2)

הִגִּיעוּ לִירוּשָׁלַיִם בֵּית דִּין הַגָּדוֹל מוֹשִׁיבִין אוֹתָהּ בֵּינֵיהֶן וּמְאַיְּמִין עָלֶיהָ שֶׁלֹּא בִּפְנֵי בַּעְלָהּ וּמַפְחִידִין אוֹתָהּ פַּחַד גָּדוֹל שֶׁלֹּא תִּשְׁתֶּה. וְאוֹמְרִים לָהּ בִּתִּי הַרְבֵּה הַיַּיִן עוֹשֶׂה. הַרְבֵּה שְׂחוֹק עוֹשֶׂה. הַרְבֵּה יַלְדוּת עוֹשָׂה. הַרְבֵּה שְׁכֵנִים רָעִים עוֹשִׂים. אַל תִּגְרְמִי לַשֵּׁם הַגָּדוֹל שֶׁנִּכְתַּב בִּקְדֻשָּׁה שֶׁיִּמָּחֶה עַל הַמַּיִם. וְאוֹמְרִין לָהּ בִּתִּי הַרְבֵּה קְדָמוּךְ וְנִשְׁטְפוּ וַאֲנָשִׁים גְּדוֹלִים וִיקָרִים תָּקַף יִצְרָן עֲלֵיהֶן וְנִכְשְׁלוּ. וּמַגִּידִין לָהּ מַעֲשֵׂה יְהוּדָה וְתָמָר כַּלָּתוֹ. וּמַעֲשֵׂה רְאוּבֵן בְּפִילֶגֶשׁ אָבִיו עַל פְּשָׁטוֹ. וּמַעֲשֵׂה אַמְנוֹן וַאֲחוֹתוֹ. כְּדֵי לְהָקֵל עָלֶיהָ עַד שֶׁתּוֹדֶה. וְאִם אָמְרָה הֵן נִטְמֵאתִי אוֹ אֵינִי שׁוֹתָה יוֹצְאָה בְּלֹא כְּתֻבָּה וְהוֹלֶכֶת לָהּ:

**Mishneh Torah, trans. by Eliyahu Touger. Jerusalem, Moznaim Pub. c1986-c2007:**
When they arrive in Jerusalem, the High Court has her sit in its presence while her husband is not present,⁵ and they alarm her, frighten her and bring upon her great dread so that she will not [desire to] drink [the bitter water.⁶
They tell her: "My daughter, [we know] that wine has a powerful influence, frivolity has a powerful influence, immaturity has a powerful influence, bad neighbors have a powerful influence.⁷ Do not cause [God's] great name, which is written in holiness, to be blotted out in the water."
And they tell her: "There are many who preceded you and were swept away [from the world].⁸ Men of greater and more honorable stature have been overcome by their natural inclination and have faltered." [To emphasize this,] they tell her the story of Judah and Tamar, his daughter-in-law,⁹ the simple meaning of the episode concerning Reuben and [Bilhah], his father's concubine,¹⁰ 55b, the verse is not meant to be interpreted literally, for actually he did not commit a sin of this nature. Nevertheless, to encourage the woman to admit her guilt, she is told the simple meaning of the narrative. and the story of Amnon and his sister,¹¹ to make it easier for her to admit [her guilt].¹²
If she says: "I committed adultery," or "I will not drink [the water],"¹³ she is to be divorced without receiving [the money due her by virtue of] her *ketubah*, and the matter is dismissed.

footnotes:
⁵ Some commentaries explain that if her husband is present, she will be motivated to uphold her previous statements and will not admit her guilt. Others explain that if her husband is present, she might be embarrassed to admit that she committed adultery.
⁶ And thus cause God's name to be blotted out.
⁷ I.e., a candid admission of guilt is nothing to be ashamed of, because we understand the extenuating circumstances.
⁸ I.e., you are not the first woman to have committed adultery. Many women have done so and they have been swept away from the world in punishment via the medium of the bitter water. Why follow in the same pattern? Admit your guilt.
⁹ Genesis, Chapter 38. The Bible relates how Tamar dressed up like a prostitute and seduced Judah. The story is significant not only because it shows how a person can be lured into sexual misconduct, but it also relates how Judah was not embarrassed to admit his guilt publicly.
¹⁰ Genesis 35:22 states that Reuben had relations with Bilhah, his father's concubine. According to Shabbat
¹¹ II Samuel, Chapter 13, describes how Amnon, King David's firstborn, raped his half-sister Tamar.
¹² I.e., hearing the example of these distinguished individuals' conduct will motivate her to admit her own shortcomings.
¹³ Although she does not admit her guilt explicitly, this statement is equivalent to an admission of guilt.


###### Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:3
[Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mishneh%20Torah%2C%20Woman%20Suspected%20of%20Infidelity/r/3:3)

עָמְדָה בְּדִבּוּרָהּ שֶׁהִיא טְהוֹרָה. מְבִיאִין אוֹתָהּ לְשַׁעַר מִזְרָחִי שֶׁל עֲזָרָה שֶׁהוּא כְּנֶגֶד קדֶשׁ הַקָּדָשִׁים. וּמַעֲלִין אוֹתָהּ מִמָּקוֹם לְמָקוֹם וּמַקִּיפִין בָּהּ כְּדֵי לְיַגְּעָהּ עַד שֶׁתִּקְצַר נַפְשָׁהּ אוּלַי תּוֹדֶה:

**Mishneh Torah, trans. by Eliyahu Touger. Jerusalem, Moznaim Pub. c1986-c2007:**
If she persists in he claim of innocence, she is brought to the eastern gate of the Temple Courtyard, which faces the Holy of Holies.¹⁴ She should be taken from place to place [in the Temple Courtyard] and made to walk around it so that she will become tired and her spirits will sap [with the intent that perhaps] she will admit [her guilt].

footnotes:
¹⁴ This gate is referred to as the Gate of Nicanor.


###### Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:4
[Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:4](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mishneh%20Torah%2C%20Woman%20Suspected%20of%20Infidelity/r/3:4)

אִם עָמְדָה בְּדִבּוּרָהּ מְבִיאִין אוֹתָהּ כְּנֶגֶד שַׁעַר הַמִּזְרָח מִבַּחוּץ וּמַעֲמִידִין אוֹתָהּ שָׁם. הָיְתָה מִתְכַּסָּה בִּלְבָנִים מִתְכַּסָּה בִּשְׁחוֹרִין. וְאִם הָיוּ הַשְּׁחוֹרִין נָאִין לָהּ מִתְכַּסָּה בִּבְגָדִים שֶׁאֵין לָהּ בָּהֶן נוֹי. וּמְסִירִין כָּל כְּלֵי כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב שֶׁעָלֶיהָ:

**Mishneh Torah, trans. by Eliyahu Touger. Jerusalem, Moznaim Pub. c1986-c2007:**
If she persists in her claim, she is brought outside the eastern gate and made to stand there. If she usually dresses in white, she should dress in black. If black garments make her look attractive, she should dress in clothes that do not make her attractive. All silver and gold jewelry should be removed from her.


###### Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:5
[Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:5](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mishneh%20Torah%2C%20Woman%20Suspected%20of%20Infidelity/r/3:5)

וּמְקַבְּצִין עָלֶיהָ קִבּוּץ גָּדוֹל שֶׁל נָשִׁים שֶׁכָּל הַנָּשִׁים הַנִּמְצָאוֹת שָׁם חַיָּבוֹת לִרְאוֹתָהּ שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (יחזקאל כג מח) "וְנִוַּסְּרוּ כָּל הַנָּשִׁים וְלֹא תַעֲשֶׂנָה כְּזִמַּתְכֶנָה". וְכָל אִישׁ שֶּׁיַּחְפֹּץ לָבֹא לִרְאוֹתָהּ יָבֹא וְיִרְאֶה. וְהִיא עוֹמֶדֶת בֵּינֵיהֶן בְּלֹא רְדִיד וּבְלֹא מִטְפַּחַת אֶלָּא בִּבְגָדֶיהָ וְכִפָּה שֶׁעַל רֹאשָׁהּ כְּמוֹ שֶׁהָאִשָּׁה בְּתוֹךְ בֵּיתָהּ:

**Mishneh Torah, trans. by Eliyahu Touger. Jerusalem, Moznaim Pub. c1986-c2007:**
Many women are gathered [to see] her, for all the women present [on the Temple Mount] are obligated to observe her, [as implied by Ezekiel 23:48]: "So that all women will be taught not to follow their lewdness." Any man who wants to observe her may do so.¹⁵
She stands among [the women] without a cloak or a veil, wearing only her clothes and a cap, as a woman dresses within her home.¹⁶ 13:11 and 24:12, which describe these garments.

footnotes:
¹⁵ The presence of the onlookers serves two purposes: It embarrasses the woman being tested, and it spurs the onlookers themselves to higher moral practice.
¹⁶ See Hilchot Ishut


###### Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:6
[Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:6](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mishneh%20Torah%2C%20Woman%20Suspected%20of%20Infidelity/r/3:6)

וְאֵין מַנִּיחִין שָׁם לֹא עֲבָדֶיהָ וְלֹא שִׁפְחוֹתֶיהָ מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהִיא מַכֶּרֶת אוֹתָן וְדַעְתָּהּ מִתְיַשֶּׁבֶת בָּהֶן:

**Mishneh Torah, trans. by Eliyahu Touger. Jerusalem, Moznaim Pub. c1986-c2007:**
Neither her servants nor her maidservants are allowed to be there, because [when] she recognizes them, her spirits will be fortified.¹⁷

footnotes:
¹⁷ Seeing familiar faces will encourage her to persist in her position, rather than admit her guilt.


###### Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:7
[Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:7](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mishneh%20Torah%2C%20Woman%20Suspected%20of%20Infidelity/r/3:7)

וְאַחַר כָּךְ מַשְׁבִּיעָהּ הַכֹּהֵן בְּלָשׁוֹן שֶׁהִיא מַכֶּרֶת וּמוֹדִיעָהּ בִּלְשׁוֹנָהּ שֶׁלֹּא גָּרַם לָהּ אֶלָּא קִנּוּי וּסְתִירָה שֶׁקִּנֵּא לָהּ בַּעְלָהּ וְנִסְתְּרָה. וְאוֹמֵר לָהּ בְּלָשׁוֹן שֶׁמַּכֶּרֶת (במדבר ה יט) "אִם לֹא שָׁכַב אִישׁ אֹתָךְ וְאִם לֹא שָׂטִית טֻמְאָה תַּחַת אִישֵׁךְ הִנָּקִי מִמֵּי הַמָּרִים הַמְאָרַרִים הָאֵלֶּה" (במדבר ה כ) "וְאַתְּ כִּי שָׂטִית תַּחַת אִישֵׁךְ וְכִי נִטְמֵאת וַיִּתֵּן אִישׁ בָּךְ אֶת שְׁכָבְתּוֹ מִבַּלְעֲדֵי אִישֵׁךְ" (במדבר ה כא) "יִתֵּן ה' אוֹתָךְ לְאָלָה וְלִשְׁבֻעָה בְּתוֹךְ עַמֵּךְ בְּתֵת ה' אֶת יְרֵכֵךְ נֹפֶלֶת וְאֶת בִּטְנֵךְ צָבָה" (במדבר ה כב) "וּבָאוּ הַמַּיִם הַמְאָרְרִים הָאֵלֶּה בְּמֵעַיִךְ לַצְבּוֹת בֶּטֶן וְלַנְפִּל יָרֵךְ". וְהִיא אוֹמֶרֶת (במדבר ה כב) "אָמֵן אָמֵן" בְּלָשׁוֹן שֶׁמַּכֶּרֶת. וּמוֹדִיעָהּ שֶׁהַבֶּטֶן הִיא תִּלְקֶה תְּחִלָּה וְהַיָּרֵךְ בַּסּוֹף כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא לְהוֹצִיא לַעַז עַל הַמַּיִם:

**Mishneh Torah, trans. by Eliyahu Touger. Jerusalem, Moznaim Pub. c1986-c2007:**
Afterwards, the priest administers an oath to her in a language that she understands.¹⁸ He tells her in her language that [she is being subjected to this test] because of the warning that her husband gave her, [which she violated by] entering into privacy [with the man in question].
He repeats for her in a language that she understands [the Biblical passage, Numbers 5:19-23]: "If a man has not lain with you, and you have not committed adultery, so as to be defiled to your husband, you shall be unharmed by this curse-bearing bitter water. But if you have committed adultery and you have become defiled, because a man other than your husband has lain with you... God will make you into a curse and into an oath among your people, causing your thigh to rupture and your belly to swell. This curse-bearing water will enter your body, causing your belly to swell and your thigh to rupture." [This serves as an oath]. She responds: "Amen, Amen,"¹⁹ 2:1). in a language she understands.
He tells her that her belly will be affected first and afterwards, her thigh so as not to tarnish the reputation of the water.²⁰ 9b).

footnotes:
¹⁸ Although the process that follows is a ritual, it is necessary that the woman understand the oath and her response to it, for the oath to be binding upon her. Therefore, there is no necessity for it to be administered in Biblical Hebrew; any language that the woman understands is sufficient.
¹⁹ As the above passage concludes. Repeating Amen after an oath is equivalent to taking that oath oneself (Hilchot Sh'vuot
²⁰ Since the passage mentions both orders, the priest mentions that the order of retribution will be from the belly to the thigh, lest people say that the waters did not bring about the curse in the manner in which the Torah said they would (Sotah


###### Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:8
[Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:8](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mishneh%20Torah%2C%20Woman%20Suspected%20of%20Infidelity/r/3:8)

וְאַחַר כָּךְ מֵבִיא מְגִלָּה שֶׁל עוֹר טָהוֹר כְּמוֹ סֵפֶר תּוֹרָה וְכוֹתֵב עָלֶיהָ בִּלְשׁוֹן הַקֹּדֶשׁ בִּדְיוֹ שֶׁאֵין בּוֹ קַנְקַנְתּוֹם לִשְׁמָהּ שֶׁל אִשָּׁה כְּמוֹ הַגֵּט. וְכוֹתֵב כָּל הַדְּבָרִים שֶׁהִשְׁבִּיעַ אוֹתָהּ בָּהֶם אוֹת בְּאוֹת מִלָּה בְּמִלָּה. וְכוֹתֵב אֶת הַשֵּׁם כִּכְתָבוֹ. וְאֵינוֹ כּוֹתֵב אָמֵן אָמֵן:

**Mishneh Torah, trans. by Eliyahu Touger. Jerusalem, Moznaim Pub. c1986-c2007:**
Afterwards, a scroll of parchment from a kosher animal, like the parchment used for a Torah scroll,²¹ 1:10. See Chapter 4, Halachah 8, which mentions several factors in which an equivalence is made between the scroll used for a *sotah* and a Torah scroll. As stated in that halachah, the equivalence is based on Numbers 5:23, which refers to the scroll used for a *sotah* as a *sefer*, the same term used for a Torah scroll.
The Jerusalem Talmud (*Sotah* 2:4) states that the parchment must be made from the hide of a kosher animal, lest the woman refuse to drink and the passage be required to be entombed. It would not be fitting for God's name to remain on parchment from a non-kosher animal. is brought. On it is written, word for word, letter for letter,²² 37a). the entire passage that [the priest] administered to the woman as an oath.
[The passage must be] written in Biblical Hebrew, with ink that does not contain *kankantum,*²³ 2:3, the Rambam defines this term with an Arabic word explained by Rav Kapach as referring to a green powder that when mixed with gallnut juice produces a black substance. Ink made with this substance cannot be rubbed out. See Chapter 4, Halachah 9. for the sake of the woman, as a *get* must be written with that intent.²⁴, Chapter 3. God's name should be written in the proper manner.²⁵, Volume III, page 124b, interprets this as meaning that chronologically the first letter of God's name must be written first; the second, second; etc. Perhaps this is the Rambam's intent as well.
Alternatively, it is possible to explain that God's name is written with the letters י-ה-ו-ה, and not in another form. The words "Amen, Amen" should not be written.

footnotes:
²¹ See Hilchot Tefillin
²² Originally, the passage would be copied from a Torah scroll. In the Second Temple era, Queen Heleni had fashioned a golden tablet with the words of this passage written on it (Yoma
²³ In his Commentary on the Mishnah, Gittin
²⁴ See Hilchot Gerushin
²⁵ The Zohar


###### Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:9
[Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:9](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mishneh%20Torah%2C%20Woman%20Suspected%20of%20Infidelity/r/3:9)

וְאַחַר כָּךְ מֵבִיא כְּלִי חֶרֶשׂ שֶׁלֹּא נַעֲשָׂה בּוֹ מְלָאכָה מֵעוֹלָם וְלֹא יֵרָאֶה כִּכְלִי בָּלֶה מֵאֹרֶךְ הַזְּמַן. וְאִם הֶחְזִירוֹ לַכִּבְשָׁן עַד שֶׁנִּתְחַדֵּשׁ כָּשֵׁר. וְנוֹתֵן לְתוֹכוֹ חֲצִי לוֹג מַיִם מִן הַכִּיּוֹר. וּבַחֲצִי לוֹג שֶׁהָיָה בַּמִּקְדָּשׁ הָיָה מוֹדְדוֹ. וְנִכְנַס בּוֹ לַהֵיכָל:

**Mishneh Torah, trans. by Eliyahu Touger. Jerusalem, Moznaim Pub. c1986-c2007:**
Afterwards, an earthenware vessel²⁶ 9a states: She prepared wine for the adulterer in attractive goblets. As a consequence, the priest shall make her drink bitter water from a clay cup. that was never used for any task previously²⁷ 15b establishes an equivalence between the vessel that contains the water used for a *sotah* and the vessel that contains the water used to purify a person afflicted with *tzara'at*, a Biblical ailment somewhat like leprosy. And that vessel cannot have been used for any task previously (*Hilchot Tum'at Tzara'at* 11:1). and that does not look aged is brought. If one takes an aged vessel and returns it to a kiln so that it looks new, it is acceptable.
A half a *log*²⁸, 298.5 cubic centimeters according to *Chazon Ish*. of water from the basin [from which the priests wash]²⁹ interprets this as referring to "water that has been consecrated in a utensil, the water of the basin." is placed in it. There was a measuring vessel of that size in the Temple. Afterwards, the water is taken into the Sanctuary.

footnotes:
²⁶ Sotah
²⁷ Sotah
²⁸ 172.8 cubic centimeters according to Shiurei Torah
²⁹ Numbers 5:17 states that "holy water must be taken." The Sifre


###### Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:10
[Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:10](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mishneh%20Torah%2C%20Woman%20Suspected%20of%20Infidelity/r/3:10)

וּמָקוֹם הָיָה שָׁם אַמָּה עַל אַמָּה לִימִין הַנִּכְנָס וּבוֹ טַבְלָא שֶׁל שַׁיִשׁ וְטַבַּעַת קְבוּעָה בָּהּ. מַגְבִּיהַּ הַטַּבְלָא וְלוֹקֵחַ עָפָר מִקַּרְקַע הַמִּשְׁכָּן. וְנוֹתְנוֹ עַל גַּבֵּי הַמַּיִם כְּדֵי שֶׁיֵּרָאֶה עַל פְּנֵי הַמַּיִם. וְנוֹתֵן לְתוֹכָן דָּבָר מַר כְּגוֹן לַעֲנָה וְכַיּוֹצֵא בָּהּ שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (במדבר ה יח) "מֵי הַמָּרִים". וּמוֹחֵק לְתוֹכָן הַמְּגִלָּה לִשְׁמָהּ וְיִמְחֹק יָפֶה יָפֶה עַד שֶׁלֹּא יִשָּׁאֵר בַּמְּגִלָּה רשֶׁם הַנִּכָּר כְּלָל:

**Mishneh Torah, trans. by Eliyahu Touger. Jerusalem, Moznaim Pub. c1986-c2007:**
[In the Sanctuary,] there was a place, one cubit by one cubit, at the right as one entered, [covered by] a marble tile with a ring affixed to it.³⁰ [The priest] would lift the tile and take "from the dust... on the earth of the Tabernacle" [Numbers 5:17] and place it in the water, so that it could be seen [floating] on the water.
Into this mixture is also placed a bitter substance, wormwood or the like, as implied by [*ibid.*:18], which refers to "the bitter water."
He [then] dissolves [the writing of] the scroll in [the water], doing this for the sake of [the woman being tested]. He must dissolve [the writing] carefully, so that no trace of it remains on the scroll.

footnotes:
³⁰ The ring enables the tile to be lifted easily.


###### Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:11
[Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:11](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mishneh%20Torah%2C%20Woman%20Suspected%20of%20Infidelity/r/3:11)

וְאַחַר כָּךְ כֹּהֵן אֶחָד בָּא אֵלֶיהָ מִכֹּהֲנֵי הָעֲזָרָה וְאוֹחֵז בִּבְגָדֶיהָ מִכְּנֶגֶד פָּנֶיהָ וְקוֹרֵעַ עַד שֶׁהוּא מְגַלֶּה אֶת לִבָּהּ. וּמְגַלֶּה שְׂעָרָהּ וְסוֹתֵר מַחְלְפוֹת רֹאשָׁהּ כְּדֵי לְנַוְּלָהּ. וּמֵבִיא חֶבֶל מִצְרִי כְּדֵי לְהַזְכִּירָהּ מַעֲשֵׂה מִצְרַיִם שֶׁעָשְׂתָה. וְאִם לֹא מָצְאוּ מִצְרִי מֵבִיא חֶבֶל מִכָּל מָקוֹם. וְקוֹשְׁרוֹ לְמַעְלָה מִדָּדֶיהָ כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יִפְּלוּ הַבְּגָדִים וְנִמְצֵאת עֲרֻמָּה שֶׁהֲרֵי נִקְרְעוּ:

**Mishneh Torah, trans. by Eliyahu Touger. Jerusalem, Moznaim Pub. c1986-c2007:**
Afterwards,³¹, who questions the Rambam's source for the fact that the writing of the scroll would be dissolved before the woman's clothes were torn open. one of the priests [serving] in the Temple courtyard would approach her.³² (*Sotah* 1:5) states that the priest would be chosen by a lottery. *Chasdei David* explains that a priest would be selected in this manner so that no one would think that one desired the task in order to view the woman's nakedness. He would take hold of her clothes from the front and rip them until he revealed her heart. Similarly, he would reveal her hair,³³ 24:11-12. undoing the plaits of her hair, to make her look unattractive.
He would then bring an Egyptian rope³⁴ to allude to the conduct of the Egyptians³⁵ 1:6). - which she emulated - and tie it above her breasts so that her clothes would not fall, for they were torn, and she be left standing naked. If an Egyptian [rope] is not available, he should bring any rope.

footnotes:
³¹ Note the Kessef Mishneh
³² The Tosefta
³³ This is cited by the Rabbis as proof that a Jewish woman's hair must always be covered. Otherwise, she is considered immodest. See Hilchot Ishut
³⁴ I.e., a rope made of palm bast.
³⁵ As implied by Leviticus 18:3, the Egyptians were known for their immodest behavior. Thus, the imagery evoked by the rope also served to chastise the woman for her conduct (Jerusalem Talmud, Sotah


###### Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:12
[Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:12](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mishneh%20Torah%2C%20Woman%20Suspected%20of%20Infidelity/r/3:12)

וְאַחַר כָּךְ מֵבִיא עִשָּׂרוֹן קֶמַח שְׂעוֹרִים מִשֶּׁל בַּעַל. וְנוֹתְנוֹ בִּכְפִיפָה מִצְרִית. וְהַחֶבֶל וְהַכְּפִיפָה בָּאִין מִשְּׁיָרֵי הַלִּשְׁכָּה. וְנוֹתְנוֹ לְיָדֶיהָ כְּדֵי לְיַגְּעָהּ:

**Mishneh Torah, trans. by Eliyahu Touger. Jerusalem, Moznaim Pub. c1986-c2007:**
Afterwards, he would bring an *isaron*³⁶ is considered the size of 43.2 eggs. According to modern measure, the size of an egg is considered to be 57.6 cubic centimeters according to *Shiurei Torah* and 99.5 cubic centimeters according to the *Chazon Ish*. of barley³⁷ 15b notes that, in contrast to wheat, which is used as food for humans, barley is employed primarily as animal fodder. Since the woman acted like an animal, betraying her fidelity to her husband, the sacrifice she brings consists of grains used for beasts. meal purchased by the husband and place it in an Egyptian basket.³⁸
The rope and the basket should be purchased from the funds remaining in the Temple treasury.³⁹ 2:4, which explains that this term refers to money collected from the half-*shekalim* donated by the entire Jewish people, which remains after the purchase of communal sacrifices. As stated in *Hilchot Shekalim* 4:8, these funds were used for various communal purposes. [The basket with the meal] should be placed in her hand to weary her.⁴⁰ 14a).

footnotes:
³⁶ An isaron
³⁷ Sotah
³⁸ I.e., a wicker basket made of palm leaves. The allusion to Egypt is intended to convey the same symbolism as above.
³⁹ See Hilchot Shekalim
⁴⁰ This is intended to motivate her to admit her guilt. Until the meal offering is sacrificed, she may admit her guilt and thus free herself of the obligation to drink the bitter water and suffer the severe penalty involved (Sotah


###### Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:13
[Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:13](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mishneh%20Torah%2C%20Woman%20Suspected%20of%20Infidelity/r/3:13)

וְאַחַר כָּךְ לוֹקֵחַ הַמִּנְחָה מִן הַכְּפִיפָה וְנוֹתְנָהּ לִכְלִי שָׁרֵת. וְאֵינוֹ נוֹתֵן עָלֶיהָ שֶׁמֶן וְלֹא לְבוֹנָה. וְאִם נָתַן לוֹקֶה עַל הַשֶּׁמֶן בִּפְנֵי עַצְמוֹ וְעַל הַלְּבוֹנָה בִּפְנֵי עַצְמָהּ. שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (במדבר ה טו) "לֹא יִצֹק עָלֶיהָ שֶׁמֶן וְלֹא יִתֵּן עָלֶיהָ לְבֹנָה":

**Mishneh Torah, trans. by Eliyahu Touger. Jerusalem, Moznaim Pub. c1986-c2007:**
Afterwards, the meal offering is taken from the basket and placed in a sacred vessel.⁴¹ Neither oil nor frankincense should be placed upon it.⁴² If [these substances] are placed upon it, [the priest] should be lashed for [placing] both the oil and the frankincense individually,⁴³ (negative commandment 104-105) and *Sefer HaChinuch* (mitzvot 366-367). as [implied by Numbers 5:15]: "He shall not pour oil on it, nor place frankincense on it."

footnotes:
⁴¹ As befits a sacrificial offering.
⁴² Note the commentary of Rashi on Numbers 5:15, which explains the rationale for these prohibitions. Adding frankincense and oil adorns the sacrifices, making them more attractive. More specifically, there are allegorical connotations to the above. Oil is a metaphor for light, and this woman acted in darkness. Frankincense is used as an allusion to the Matriarchs, who were the epitome of modesty, and this woman departed from their ways.
⁴³ I.e., each one is considered as a separate negative commandment. See Sefer HaMitzvot


###### Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:14
[Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:14](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mishneh%20Torah%2C%20Woman%20Suspected%20of%20Infidelity/r/3:14)

וּבְכָל זְמַן שֶׁפּוֹרֵעַ רֹאשָׁהּ וְנוֹתֵן הָעִשָּׂרוֹן עַל יָדֶיהָ יִהְיוּ הַמַּיִם בִּכְלִי בְּיַד הַכֹּהֵן וְיַרְאֶה אוֹתָהּ אֶת הַמַּיִם שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (במדבר ה יח) "וּבְיַד הַכֹּהֵן יִהְיוּ מֵי הַמָּרִים הַמְאָרַרִים":

**Mishneh Torah, trans. by Eliyahu Touger. Jerusalem, Moznaim Pub. c1986-c2007:**
Throughout the time the priest uncovers the woman's hair and places the *isaron* [of meal] on her hand, the priest should hold the vessel containing the water in his hand and show it to the woman,⁴⁴ 9:33). as [implied by Numbers 5:18]: "The bitter, curse-bearing waters shall be in the hand of the priest."

footnotes:
⁴⁴ To frighten her and to encourage her to confess (Bemidbar Rabbah


###### Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:15
[Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:15](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mishneh%20Torah%2C%20Woman%20Suspected%20of%20Infidelity/r/3:15)

וְאַחַר כָּךְ מַשְׁקֶה אוֹתָהּ. וְאַחַר שֶׁתִּשְׁתֶּה לוֹקֵחַ כְּלִי שָׁרֵת שֶׁבּוֹ הַמִּנְחָה וְנוֹתְנוֹ עַל יָדֶיהָ. וְכֹהֵן מֵנִיחַ יָדוֹ תַּחְתֶּיהָ וּמְנִיפָהּ בַּמִּזְרָח כִּשְׁאָר כָּל הַתְּנוּפוֹת. מוֹלִיךְ וּמֵבִיא מַעֲלֶה וּמוֹרִיד. וְאַחַר כָּךְ מַגִּישׁ הַמִּנְחָה לְקֶרֶן דְּרוֹמִית מַעֲרָבִית שֶׁל מִזְבֵּחַ כִּשְׁאָר מְנָחוֹת שֶׁל יָחִיד. וְקוֹמֵץ וּמַקְטִיר הַקֹּמֶץ. וְהַשְּׁאָר נֶאֱכָל לַכֹּהֲנִים:

**Mishneh Torah, trans. by Eliyahu Touger. Jerusalem, Moznaim Pub. c1986-c2007:**
Afterwards, he gives her [the water] to drink. After she drinks, he takes the sacred vessel containing the meal offering and places it on her hand. The priest then places his hand below her [hand] and waves the offering⁴⁵ 3:1) states that "the evil inclination does not operate at that time," and hence there is no danger that the physical contact will stir the priest to sexual desire. in [the portion of the Temple courtyard to] the east [of the altar], as is done with all other meal offerings.⁴⁶ 9:6-7.
He should bring it to [each of the four compass directions] and up and down.⁴⁷ 37b interprets this as acknowledgement of God's dominion over the entire universe. *Menachot* 62a explains that this is a measure to check undesirable winds. Afterwards, he brings the meal offering to the horn at the southwestern corner of the altar, as is done with other meal offerings brought by private individuals.⁴⁸ 13:12, which describes the offering of meal offerings brought by private individuals.
He should take a fistful of the meal and offer it on the fire. The remainder [of the meal] should be eaten by the priests.⁴⁹ 12:9, which describes the consumption of the meal offerings.

footnotes:
⁴⁵ The meal offering had to be waved by both the woman bringing it and the priest. The Jerusalem Talmud (Sotah
⁴⁶ See Hilchot Ma'aseh HaKorbanot
⁴⁷ Sukkah
⁴⁸ See Hilchot Ma'aseh HaKorbanot
⁴⁹ See Hilchot Ma'aseh HaKorbanot


###### Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:16
[Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:16](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mishneh%20Torah%2C%20Woman%20Suspected%20of%20Infidelity/r/3:16)

אִם טְהוֹרָה הִיא יוֹצֵאת וְהוֹלֶכֶת לָהּ וַהֲרֵי הִיא מֻתֶּרֶת לְבַעְלָהּ. וְאִם טְמֵאָה הִיא מִיָּד פָּנֶיהָ מוֹרִיקוֹת וְעֵינֶיהָ בּוֹלְטוֹת וְהִיא מִתְמַלֵּאת גִּידִין גִּידִין וְהֵן אוֹמְרִין הוֹצִיאוּהָ (הוֹצִיאוּהָ) כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא תִּפְרשֹׁ נִדָּה וְהַנִּדּוֹת מְטַמְּאוֹת עֶזְרַת נָשִׁים. וְהֵן מוֹצִיאִין אוֹתָהּ מֵעֶזְרַת נָשִׁים שֶׁהִיא עוֹמֶדֶת בָּהּ. וּבִטְנָהּ צָבָה בַּתְּחִלָּה וְאַחַר כָּךְ תִּפּל יְרֵכָהּ וְתָמוּת:

**Mishneh Torah, trans. by Eliyahu Touger. Jerusalem, Moznaim Pub. c1986-c2007:**
If the woman is guiltless, she may depart; she is permitted to her husband. If she committed adultery, her face will immediately turn pale yellow, her eyes will bulge forth, and her veins will surface.
Everyone immediately shouts, "Take her out [of the Women's Courtyard]! Take her out!" so that she does not have a menstrual emission [there],⁵⁰ 20b states that the terror of death might provoke menstruation. for women who are in a menstrual state make the Women's Courtyard impure.⁵¹ 3:3), requires some clarification. The intent appears to be, not that the Women's Courtyard becomes impure, but that the woman becomes impure, and in that state she is forbidden to be in the Women's Courtyard. See *Hilchot Bi'at HaMikdash* 3:3.
They take her out of the Women's Courtyard, where she was standing. Her belly swells first and then her thigh ruptures and she dies.

footnotes:
⁵⁰ Sotah
⁵¹ The Rambam's wording, based on that of the Mishnah (Sotah


###### Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:17
[Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:17](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mishneh%20Torah%2C%20Woman%20Suspected%20of%20Infidelity/r/3:17)

בְּאוֹתָהּ שָׁעָה שֶׁתָּמוּת הִיא יָמוּת הַנּוֹאֵף שֶׁהִשְׁקָה עַל יָדוֹ בְּכָל מָקוֹם שֶׁהוּא וְיֶאֶרְעוּ לוֹ מְאֹרָעוֹת שֶׁאֵרְעוּ לָהּ (במדבר ה כב) "לַצְבּוֹת בֶּטֶן וְלַנְפִּל יָרֵךְ". וְכָל זֶה אִם לֹא בָּא בַּעְלָהּ בִּיאָה אֲסוּרָה מֵעוֹלָם. אֲבָל אִם בָּעַל בְּעִילָה שֶׁל אִסּוּר אֵין הַמַּיִם בּוֹדְקִין אֶת אִשְׁתּוֹ כְּמוֹ שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ:

**Mishneh Torah, trans. by Eliyahu Touger. Jerusalem, Moznaim Pub. c1986-c2007:**
When she dies, the adulterer because of whom she was compelled to drink will also die, wherever he is located. The same phenomena, the swelling of the belly and the rupture of the thigh, will also occur to him.
All the above applies provided her husband never engaged in forbidden sexual relations in his life. If, however, her husband ever engaged in forbidden relations, the [bitter] waters do not check [the fidelity of] his wife.


###### Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:18
[Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:18](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mishneh%20Torah%2C%20Woman%20Suspected%20of%20Infidelity/r/3:18)

וְאִם עָבַר וְהִשְׁקָה אֶת אִשְׁתּוֹ הֲרֵי זֶה מוֹסִיף עַל חַטָּאתוֹ פֶּשַׁע שֶׁגָּרַם לַשֵּׁם הַמְפֹרָשׁ שֶׁיִּמָּחֶה בַּמַּיִם לְבַטָּלָה וּמוֹצִיא לַעַז עַל מֵי סוֹטָה שֶׁאִשְׁתּוֹ אוֹמֶרֶת לַאֲחֵרוֹת שֶׁזִּנְּתָה וְלֹא בָּדְקוּ בָּהּ הַמַּיִם וְהִיא לֹא תֵּדַע שֶׁמַּעֲשֵׂי הַבַּעַל גָּרְמוּ שֶׁלֹּא בָּדְקוּ בָּהּ:

**Mishneh Torah, trans. by Eliyahu Touger. Jerusalem, Moznaim Pub. c1986-c2007:**
If [a husband] transgressed and compelled his wife to drink [the bitter water], although he previously entered into a forbidden relationship, he adds further transgression to his sin. For he causes God's name [which is not] pronounced to be blotted out on the waters for no reason and defames the reputation of the waters [used to test] a *sotah*. For his wife will tell others that she committed adultery and that the [bitter] waters did not harm her, without knowing that it was her husband's deeds that prevented the waters from checking her [fidelity].


###### Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:19
[Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:19](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mishneh%20Torah%2C%20Woman%20Suspected%20of%20Infidelity/r/3:19)

לְפִיכָךְ מִשֶּׁרַבּוּ הַמְנָאֲפִים בְּגָלוּי בְּבַיִת שֵׁנִי בִּטְּלוּ הַסַּנְהֶדְרִין אֶת מֵי הַמָּרִים וְסָמְכוּ עַל הַכָּתוּב בַּקַּבָּלָה (הושע ד יד) "לֹא אֶפְקוֹד עַל בְּנוֹתֵיכֶם כִּי תִזְנֶינָה" וְגוֹ':

**Mishneh Torah, trans. by Eliyahu Touger. Jerusalem, Moznaim Pub. c1986-c2007:**
Therefore, when the number of people who openly committed adultery increased in the Second Temple era, the *Sanhedrin*⁵² 47a states that this took place in the time of Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai, shortly before the destruction of the Second Temple. nullified the use of the bitter water, relying on the verse in the [prophetic] tradition, [Hoshea 4:14]: "I will not punish your daughters when they commit harlotry."

footnotes:
⁵² Sotah


###### Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:20
[Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:20](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mishneh%20Torah%2C%20Woman%20Suspected%20of%20Infidelity/r/3:20)

סוֹטָה שֶׁיֵּשׁ לָהּ זְכוּת תַּלְמוּד תּוֹרָה אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁאֵינָהּ מְצֻוָּה עַל תַּלְמוּד תּוֹרָה הֲרֵי זֶה תּוֹלֶה לָהּ וְאֵינָהּ מֵתָה לִשְׁעָתָהּ אֶלָּא נִמֹּקֶת וְהוֹלֶכֶת וָחֳלָאִים כְּבֵדִים בָּאִין עָלֶיהָ עַד שֶׁתָּמוּת אַחַר שָׁנָה אוֹ שְׁתַּיִם אוֹ שָׁלֹשׁ לְפִי זְכוּתָהּ. וְהִיא מֵתָה בִּצְבִיַּת בֶּטֶן וּבִנְפִילַת אֵיבָרִין:

**Mishneh Torah, trans. by Eliyahu Touger. Jerusalem, Moznaim Pub. c1986-c2007:**
When a *sotah* has merit because of Torah study⁵³ 21a says that this refers to the woman's efforts in assisting her husband and her sons in their studies. - although she herself is not obligated to study the Torah⁵⁴ 1:1,13. - her merit prolongs [her life] and she does not die immediately. Instead, she continues to be weakened,⁵⁵ 3:3). Others render the term as "she deteriorates." and suffers severe illness until she dies after a year, two years or three years, according to her merit. [When she dies,] she dies with a swollen belly and ruptured limbs.

footnotes:
⁵³ Sotah
⁵⁴ See Hilchot Talmud Torah
⁵⁵ Our translation is based on the Rambam's Commentary on the Mishnah (Sotah


###### Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:21
[Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:21](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mishneh%20Torah%2C%20Woman%20Suspected%20of%20Infidelity/r/3:21)

סוֹטָה שֶׁשָּׁתָת מֵי הַמָּרִים וְלֹא מֵתָה מִיָּד הֲרֵי הִיא מֻתֶּרֶת לְבַעְלָהּ. וַאֲפִלּוּ הָיָה כֹּהֵן. וְאַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהִתְחִילוּ הֶחֳלָאִים לָבוֹא עָלֶיהָ וְחָלוּ שְׁאָר אֵיבָרֶיהָ הוֹאִיל וְלֹא צָבְתָה בִּטְנָהּ וְלֹא הִתְחִיל יְרֵכָהּ לִנְפּל הֲרֵי זוֹ מֻתֶּרֶת. אֲבָל מִשֶּׁהִתְחִיל בִּטְנָהּ לַצְבּוֹת וִירֵכָהּ לִנְפּל הֲרֵי זוֹ אֲסוּרָה וַדָּאִית:

**Mishneh Torah, trans. by Eliyahu Touger. Jerusalem, Moznaim Pub. c1986-c2007:**
When a *sotah* drinks the bitter water and does not die immediately, she is permitted to her husband, even if he is a priest.⁵⁶ Even if illness begins to set in and her limbs become afflicted, as long as her belly does not swell or her thigh rupture, she is permitted.⁵⁷ (in the gloss on Halachah 24) explains that in this halachah, the Rambam's intent is that one might think that the fact that she becomes afflicted by sickness indicates that she was raped - i.e., the bitter water had an effect, but because she did not willfully engage in the transgression, she did not die. To negate this hypothesis, the Rambam states that even a priest is allowed to continue married life with such a woman.
When, however, her belly begins to expand and her thigh begins to rupture, she is forbidden.⁵⁸

footnotes:
⁵⁶ Who is forbidden to engage in relations with a woman who took part in forbidden sexual relations.
⁵⁷ The Mishneh LaMelech
⁵⁸ For this is a sign of adulterous relationships.


###### Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:22
[Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:22](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mishneh%20Torah%2C%20Woman%20Suspected%20of%20Infidelity/r/3:22)

סוֹטָה שֶׁשָׁתָת וְהָיְתָה טְהוֹרָה הֲרֵי זוֹ מִתְחַזֶּקֶת וּפָנֶיהָ מַזְהִירוֹת. וְאִם הָיָה בָּהּ חלִי יָסוּר. וְתִתְעַבֵּר וְתֵלֵד זָכָר. וְאִם הָיָה דַּרְכָּהּ לֵילֵד בְּקֹשִׁי תֵּלֵד בִּמְהֵרָה. הָיָה דַּרְכָּהּ לֵילֵד נְקֵבוֹת תֵּלֵד זְכָרִים:

**Mishneh Torah, trans. by Eliyahu Touger. Jerusalem, Moznaim Pub. c1986-c2007:**
When a *sotah* who was innocent drinks [the bitter water], she becomes stronger and her face glows. If she was afflicted by sickness [that prevented her from conceiving],⁵⁹ it will disappear; she will conceive and give birth to a male. If she previously had difficulty giving birth, she will give birth speedily. If she would give birth to girls, she will give birth to males.

footnotes:
⁵⁹ The bracketed additions are based on the commentary of the Meiri.


###### Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:23
[Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:23](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mishneh%20Torah%2C%20Woman%20Suspected%20of%20Infidelity/r/3:23)

בָּאוּ עֵדֵי טֻמְאָה אַחַר שֶׁשָּׁתְתָה הֲרֵי זוֹ תֵּצֵא בְּלֹא כְּתֻבָּה וַאֲסוּרָה לְבַעְלָהּ. וַאֲפִלּוּ לֹא אֵרַע לָהּ דָּבָר מִדְּבָרִים אֵלּוּ מִפְּנֵי שֶׁאֵין הַמַּיִם בּוֹדְקִין אֶלָּא מִי שֶׁאֵין לָהּ עֵדִים שֶׁמּוֹדִיעִין זְנוּתָהּ. וְעוֹד שֶׁמָּא בַּעְלָהּ אֵינוֹ מְנֻקֶּה מֵעָוֹן לְפִיכָךְ לֹא בָּדְקוּ הַמַּיִם אֶת אִשְׁתּוֹ. אֲבָל אִם בָּא עֵד אֶחָד וְהֵעִיד שֶׁהָיְתָה טְמֵאָה אֵינָהּ אֲסוּרָה וְתֵשֵׁב תַּחַת בַּעְלָהּ שֶׁהֲרֵי שָׁתְתָה:

**Mishneh Torah, trans. by Eliyahu Touger. Jerusalem, Moznaim Pub. c1986-c2007:**
If witnesses who say that she committed adultery come after she drinks the bitter water, she should be divorced without receiving [the money due her by virtue of] her *ketubah*, and she is forbidden to her husband.
This applies even when none [of the negative consequences] mentioned above occur to her. For the [bitter] waters will check only [the fidelity of a woman] concerning whom there are no witnesses who will testify to her sexual misconduct.⁶⁰ 1:1). Moreover, it is possible that her husband is not guiltless, and it is because of him that the waters did not check his wife.⁶¹
If, however, one witness comes and testifies that a woman committed adultery, she is not forbidden [to] her husband and can remain married to him. For she drank [the bitter water].⁶²

footnotes:
⁶⁰ When there are witnesses, there is no need for the miraculous activity of the water. For ultimately the witnesses will testify in court and cause the woman to be forbidden to her husband (Rambam's Commentary on the Mishnah, Sotah
⁶¹ See Halachah 17.
⁶² I.e., had the witness testified before she drank the bitter water, she would not have been allowed to drink them, as stated in Chapter 1, Halachah 14. Nevertheless, once she drank the waters, the testimony of one witness is not sufficient to cause her to be considered guilty.


###### Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:24
[Mishneh Torah, Woman Suspected of Infidelity 3:24](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Mishneh%20Torah%2C%20Woman%20Suspected%20of%20Infidelity/r/3:24)

אִשָּׁה שֶׁזִּנְּתָה בְּאֹנֶס אוֹ בִּשְׁגָגָה אוֹ שֶׁבָּא עָלֶיהָ זֶה שֶׁקִּנֵּא לָהּ עִמּוֹ דֶּרֶךְ אֵיבָרִים אֵין הַמַּיִם בּוֹדְקִין אוֹתָהּ שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (במדבר ה יג) "וְהִיא לֹא נִתְפָּשָׂה" פְּרָט לַאֲנוּסָה שֶׁהֲרֵי נִתְפְּשָׂה בְּחָזְקָה. (במדבר ה כז) "וַתִּמְעל מַעַל בְּאִישָׁהּ" פְּרָט לְשׁוֹגֶגֶת. (במדבר ה יג) "וְשָׁכַב אִישׁ אֹתָהּ שִׁכְבַת זֶרַע" פְּרָט לְבָא עָלֶיהָ דֶּרֶךְ אֵיבָרִים:

**Mishneh Torah, trans. by Eliyahu Touger. Jerusalem, Moznaim Pub. c1986-c2007:**
When a woman was compelled to engage in adulterous relationships or did so unintentionally,⁶³ 24:20. or lay naked in the embrace of the man regarding whom she was warned, but did not engage in vaginal relations,⁶⁴ 6:1) for a more specific definition of the Hebrew term *derech evarim*. [her fidelity] will not be checked by the [bitter] waters, as [implied by the following verses]. [Numbers 5:13 states:] "And she was not taken against her will," thus excluding a woman who was raped. [*Ibid*.:27 states:] "And she was unfaithful to her husband," excluding a woman who acted unintentionally." And [*ibid.*:13 states]: "And a man laid with her, [imparting] his seed," excluding an embrace without intercourse.

footnotes:
⁶³ See Hilchot Ishut
⁶⁴ See the Rambam's Commentary on the Mishnah (Yevamot