Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Sonnet: Nedarim 91b

A man slept with a woman -- not his wife
But when her husband came, then quick the rake
Hid out behind the door to save his life
Among some lettuce nibbled by a snake.

The husband thought the lettuce leaves would go
Well with his salad. "Just the thing I crave!
That lettuce." The rake heard and yelled out "No!
It's poisoned!" Thus the husband's life was saved.

Now would the rake cry out if he had done
The deed? Says Rava: "No! He must be pure.
Adulterers don't care to save someone!"
It's obvious! But we can't be so sure:

Perhaps he did not let her husband eat
So she would be like stolen waters – sweet.

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