Ki-Tetzei

Pisqa’ 241

Pisqa’ 2411

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.

“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.2

Both of them” (Dt.22:22)—

but not if they are engaged in the Deed of Herod,3

[which requires that the female partner already have died].4

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.5

  1. H:247-248;JN2:160.
  2. Cf. Pisqa’ 155.1.
  3. Heb: ma`aseh herodes; 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.
  4. See F:271, n.13.
  5. Cf. Pisqa’ot 155.1, 240.1, 241.1, 242.1.