I have two limericks for Naso. The first deals with the troubling rules of the Sotah – the suspected adultress. According to the text, if you suspect that your wife has been unfaithful, the Priests are to administer a special, bitter potion. If she is guilty, according to the text, her “thigh” will swell (euphemism alert…) and her unfaithfulness will come to light. It should be noted that the Rabbis eliminated this particular practice a long time ago.
The second Limerick deals with the laws of the Nazerite – or religious hermit. In general, the Torah frowns on religious asceticism. Jews pray in community, not isolation. However, if someone is determined to become a Nazerite, there are specific laws that must be followed. In particular, Nazarites are prohibited from cutting their hair, drinking wine or coming in contact with the dead.
If you suspect that your wife is untrue
Our text tells us what you must do
Drinking bitters will tell
If her stomach does swell
Then she’s not only sleeping with you.
If a Nazarite you want to be
You must follow these special rules three
Your hair can’t be trimmed
Don’t drink wine – it’s a sin
And from corpses you always must flee
- Vayikra Limerick - March 14, 2013
- A new Purim Limerick for a divided Congress. - February 21, 2013
- A New Tu B’Shvat Limerick - January 25, 2013