(Numb. 5:13, cont.:) AND IT IS HIDDEN FROM HER HUSBAND's EYES, except for one who is blind.⁴⁶., Numb. 2:7; Sifre, Numb. 5:13 (7); Sot. 27a. Cf. Numb. R. 9:10, which explains the exception as referring to a husband just pretending to be blind to his wife’s adultery, so that he can use the rite of the bitter water for killing his wife. Another interpretation (of Numb. 5:13, cont.:) AND IT IS HIDDEN FROM HER HUSBAND'S EYES. These words mean that her husband would not have viewed her transgression and overlooked it. (Ibid., cont.:) SO THAT SHE IS UNDETECTED. We have not yet heard of a specific length of time for her to be in seclusion (with her lover) in order to cause defilement. R. Eleazer says: The time needed for a palm tree to sway back.⁴⁷. 1:2; Sot. 4a; Sifre, Numb. 5:13 (7). R. Joshua says: For mixing the cup. Ben 'Azzay says: For drinking it. R. Aqiva says: For roasting an Egg. R. Judah says: For eating three eggs one after the other. R. Eleazar ben Pinhas says: For a weaver⁴⁸ to knot the thread.⁴⁹. Hanan says: For her to put her finger in her mouth. Pelimo says: For his (sic) hand⁵⁰ to reach over the basket and take a loaf of bread. Even though there is no evidence for the affair, there is a hint of the affair where it is stated (in Prov. 6:26): FOR ON BEHALF OF A WOMAN PLAYING THE HARLOT ONE WILL BE REDUCED TO A LOAF OF BREAD.

footnotes: ⁴⁶ Tanh ⁴⁷ See TSot ⁴⁸ Gk.: gerdios. ⁴⁹ Gk.: nema ⁵⁰ Cf. the parallel in Numb. R. 9:10, which reads, “her hand.”