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or vinegar of aged wine; anything in which 26347-EYAL-6BOOKS - 26347-Bamidbar-EYAL | 3 - B | 18-08-19 | 13:48:22 | SR:-- | Black 26347-EYAL-6BOOKS - 26347-Bamidbar-EYAL | 3 - B | 18-08-19 | 13:48:22 | SR:-- | Cyan 26347-EYAL-6BOOKS - 26347-Bamidbar-EYAL | 3 - B | 18-08-19 | 13:48:22 | SR:-- | Magenta #26347-EYAL-6BOOKS - 26347-Bamidbar-
grapes have been steeped shall he not drink, and
fresh and dried grapes shall he not eat”
(Bamidbar 6:1-3)
Rashi explains the connection between the parashah describing the sotah
and the parashah of the nazir in the following manner. One who witnesses
a sotah in her disgrace should abstain from wine, which has the potential
to cause immoral behavior.
The nezirut period elevates the nazir. Therefore, when it ends, he must
bring a sin-offering, in order to prevent his spiritual decline.
One can become a nazir in order to elevate himself in kedushah.Why
does Rashi make nezirut depend upon seeing a sotah in her disgrace?
The Torah commands one who witnessed the sotah’s punishment to
abstain from wine in order to bring him to participate in the pain of the
Shechinah over the abomination which had occurred.
Furthermore, one who observes a sotah in her degradation might have
become conceited, feeling that he would never stoop as low as she did.
For this reason, the Torah commands him to abstain from wine. This will
remove all thoughts of pride from his heart.
Shimon Hatzaddik kissed the nazir who defiled himself, thereby nullifying
his nezirut. He proclaimed, “May there be more like you in Yisrael.” A
nazir may feel a sense of condescension toward other people. Since the
main aspect of nezirut is submission and self-negation, one is obligated to
terminate his nezirut so that the losses do not outweigh the gains.