Pisqa’ 241¹⁹⁷

1. “If a man is found” (Dt. 22:22)— as reported by witnesses. “Bedding a married woman” (Dt. 22:22)— that is, any kind of bedding. “Married” (Dt. 22:22)— to include a woman who was already mounted in her father’s house, while still betrothed.

footnotes: ¹⁹⁷ H:247-248;JN2:160.

“Then, indeed both of them shall die” (Dt. 22:22)— where the mode of execution mandated by the Torah is unspecified, the sentence is assumed to be strangulation.¹⁹⁸ 155.1.

footnotes: ¹⁹⁸ Cf. Pisqa’

“Both of them” (Dt. 22:22)— but not if they are engaged in the Deed of Herod,¹⁹⁹; i.e. necrophilia. RH’s test has: ma` aseh khidudim. rendered by Jastrow as “unnatural gratification.” The reference is explained at B.BB.3b according to a tradition that Herod had his Hasmonean wife embalmed in honey and preserved for his own sexual needs. [which requires that the female partner already have died].²⁰⁰

footnotes: ¹⁹⁹ Heb: ma`aseh herodes ²⁰⁰ See F:271, n.13.

When He says: “Both of them (Dt. 22:22)— this includes anyone who happens along after them [and also beds the woman].

“The man who beds the woman” (Dt. 22:22)— even if she is still a minor.

“And the woman” (Dt. 22:22)— even though she was mounted by a minor.

“And you shall expunge the evil from Israel” (Dt. 22:22)— expunge evil-doers from Israel.²⁰¹ 155.1, 240.1, 241.1, 242.1.

footnotes: ²⁰¹ Cf. Pisqa’ot