Commentary for Sotah 14:15

ואם אמרה טהורה אני מעלין אותה לשערי מזרח מעלין אותה

for instance, Which wise men have told and have not hid it [from their fathers],<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I.e., they confessed, Job XV, 18. (E.V. 'Which wise men have told from their fathers and have not hid it'). ');">¹⁴</span> namely Judah confessed and was not ashamed; what was his end? He inherited the life of the world to come. Reuben confessed and was not ashamed; what was his end? He inherited the world to come. And what was their reward? What was their reward [you ask]! It was as we have just mentioned. But [the meaning is], What was their reward in this world? Unto them alone the land was given, and no stranger passed among them.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Ibid. 19. ');">¹⁵</span> It is quite right with Judah; we find that he confessed, for it is written: And Judah acknowledged them, and said: She is more righteous than I.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Gen. XXXVIII, 26. ');">¹⁶</span> Whence, however, is it that Reuben confessed? — As R. Samuel b. Nahmani said in the name of R. Johanan: What means that which is written: Let Reuben live and not die; and this for Judah?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Deut. XXXIII, 6f. ');">¹⁷</span> All the years that the Israelites were in the wilderness, Judah's bones<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' According to tradition, the bones of all Jacob's sons were carried out of Egypt. ');">¹⁸</span> kept turning in his coffin until Moses arose and begged mercy for him. He said before Him, Lord of the Universe, who caused Reuben to confess? It was Judah,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' When he confessed, Reuben followed his example. ');">¹⁹</span> [as it is stated], 'And this for Judah'; immediately [after Moses prayed], 'Hear, Lord, the voice of Judah', each limb entered its socket.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Of the skeleton and ceased rolling about. ');">²⁰</span> But [the angels] would not permit him to enter the heavenly Academy;<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Where the Torah is studied. ');">²¹</span> [so Moses prayed], 'And bring him in unto his people'. He was unable to discuss the theme which the Rabbis were then debating; [so Moses prayed], 'With his hands let him contend for himself.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' May he be able to prevail in the debate. ');">²²</span> He was still not able to secure a decision in accordance with the traditional practice; [so Moses prayed], 'Be an help against his adversaries'.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' V. B.M. 86a. ');">²³</span> It is quite right that Judah confessed so that Tamar should not be burnt; but why did Reuben confess? Surely R. Shesheth has declared: Consider him shameless who [publicly] specifies his sins! — [Reuben confessed] so that his brothers should not be suspected [of his offence]. IF SHE SAID, 'I HAVE MISCONDUCTED MYSELF' etc. Is it to be concluded from this that a quittance is written out?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The question whether a quittance is given or the document of the marriage-settlement torn is discussed in B.B. 170b. ');">²⁴</span> — Abaye said: Read [in our Mishnah]: [The document of the marriage-settlement] is torn. Raba replied to him, But the Mishnah mentions A QUITTANCE! But, said Raba, we deal here with places where they do not write a document for a marriage-settlement.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' This was sometimes not done because there was an established rule about the amount due to a wife from her husband, v. B.M. (Sonc. ed.) p. 107, n. 4. ');">²⁵</span> BUT IF SHE SAYS, 'I AM PURE', THEY BRING HER UP TO THE EAST GATE. 'THEY BRING HER UP'?

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