For the source text click/tap here: Sotah 28
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The first of the “Bo Bayom" teachings relates to the laws of Sota, where we find that Rabbi Akiva learns from passages in the parasha of Sota (see Bamidbar 5:12-31) that the “bitter waters” examine not only her behaviors, but his, as well.
Our Daf tell us that the woman who is accused of adultery after having been warned about seclusion is defiled in two different verses. Why? The rabbis consider the possibility that these defilements are in fact directed at the woman's husband and paramour as well as herself.
The rabbis speak about whether or not it makes a difference if the husband is also guilty of adultery. Or perhaps the husband is guilty of having intercourse with his wife on their way to the Temple when she is forbidden to him.
We explore the notion of the husband’s motive and guilt and a review of the novel The French Lieutenant’s Woman, and the obsessions of the paramour.