How is it that the Muzaros b'Levanah are able to obfuscate a Din Emes?
H. David Levine, Roanoke, VA; USA
The Parshah of Sotah is only applicable if it is unknown whether the woman was Mezaneh or not. If it is public knowledge that she was Mezaneh, to such an extent that she is a popular subject of gossip, the water will not check her.
Dov Freedman
I didn't understand. When there are Eidim the waters are not administered, because of the Miut. I don't see aMiut for Muzaros b'Levanah. Doesn't this mean that the waters ARE administered, but the result will be tahor regardless? What power is there in Muzaros b'Levanah, then, that could be harnessed for Kaparah on all occasions? On Yom Kipurim? In lieu of Mei Chatas? I had not seen it mentioned in other contexts, but the Yesod seems important.
The Beraisa the Gemara brngs on 6b has a Miyut for Muzaros b'Levanah from the word He. Although this is in fact a Miyut from the Berachah of a Sotah Tehorah, we learn from here that the water does not check this lady, and therefore she cannot drink the water (see Rashi 31a DH Rebbi Yehoshua).
Dov Freedman