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Why does withholding priestly gifts lead to the punishment of one's wife becoming a sotah? The middah k'neged middah reflects that one who doesn't appreciate the kohen's role in creating peace between Israel and Hashem (ה׳) must learn this lesson personally through his marriage. Every Jewish marriage is a microcosm of the covenant relationship between Klal Yisrael and Hashem.
Rabbi Yeshaya Greenberg ZT"L delivers a profound analysis of Parshas Nasso, specifically examining the juxtaposition between the laws of withholding priestly gifts and the sotah procedure. He begins by noting the unusual double language 'ish ish' in the sotah passage, explaining through Rashi (רש"י) that a woman who strays is rebelling against two husbands - her earthly husband and Hashem (ה׳), who is described as Klal Yisrael's husband from Har Sinai. The shiur explores the middah k'neged middah (measure for measure) punishment described by Chazal: one who withholds matnas kohen (priestly gifts) will need to bring his wife as a sotah. Rabbi Yeshaya Greenberg ZT"L explains that withholding gifts stems from not appreciating the kohen's role as intermediary who creates shalom (peace) between Klal Yisrael and Hashem. The punishment teaches this lesson personally - when his wife becomes a sotah, he must come to the kohen to restore peace in his own marriage.
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Parshas Nasso
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