As Heard From Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

“Any man, if his wife turns aside and commits a trespass against him.” (5:12)

This expression includes the turning away from her husband. The sin of adultery is most frequently due to a woman’s desire to punish her husband by denying him the marital rights. But nature tends to reassert itself, and as a result such women yield even to the lowest men “instead of her husband” (5:29). The marital relations must never be used as a weapon of reprisal. To “turn aside” from the natural routine as provided by Hashem’s plan, is an invitation to disaster.

The extremely grave sin of adultery, for which the death penalty is inflicted, is condemned and stigmatized by the accusation of a trespass of disloyalty to her husband. Indeed, Hashem inflicts this penalty, but the severity of the crime is because of disloyalty. Even the adulterer deserves death not only for causing the woman to commit this deed of disloyalty, but also for his own crime of disloyalty to his fellowman’s rights. “And commits a trespass against him.” Literally, “was disloyal to him.”

Here is enunciated the chief foundation of Marriage. “Romantic Love” is an illusion which is immediately dispelled by the realities of daily existence. But the ideal of loyalty of husband and wife toward each other is an undying attitude which transcends all the tests of life.

In ancient times , when a man took another wife as the Torah permits, this would not have been a disloyalty to his wife. But even the husband must be more loyal to his wife than anyone else. He must side with her against any faultfinder and must be concerned for her welfare. This mutual loyalty is the test whereby a great part of men’s lives is judged as successful or otherwise.

“It is not good for Man to be alone.” (Beresheet 2:18). This means that the “Good” of life is achieved most
perfectly when men and women pass the test of loyalty to their mates. Adultery is possible only when a woman has failed her duty of loyalty, and the severe penalty of death is a demonstration of the great importance of the loyalty toward the spouce. The Creator demands this loyalty.

Quoted from “A Journey Into Greatness” by Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

Shabbat Shalom

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