Sota 9: Measure for Measure; Samson and Delilah

Much of today's daf is a continuation of comparisons.  The sota is thought to go through each step of her rituals because it directly correlates with an aspect of her alleged transgression.  The rabbis share multiple comparisons in other circumstances.  A new Mishna teaches us about many who were rewarded or punished for their acts in kind:

• Samson lusted after what he saw; later, his eyes were gouged out
• Absalom:
• was proud of his hair; later was hanged by his hair
• had intercourse with ten of his father's concubines; later ten of Joab's soldiers smote him
• stole the hearts of his father, the court, the Jewish people; later, Joab stabbed his heart with three spears
• Miriam waited for Moses at the water for one hour; later, the people waited seven days to mourn her death
• Joseph alone merited burying his father; Moses himself helped to transport Joseph's coffin

The Gemara quibbles with small points.  For example, where did Samson commit his transgression; where did he 'see' and then sin?  Was it in Gaza? or Timna?  In which of those places were his eyes destroyed?  This leads to a discussion of Delila, who was said to weaken Samson's strength.  How did she do that?  The Gemara wonders whether Samson shared his secret: that his hair, his nazirut, was the source of his strength.  Alternately, when we learn that she "pressed him daily with her words and urged him (until his soul was vexed to death)", Rabbi Ami has a creative explanation of what "urging" means: she slipped away from him immediately following intercourse.

Other parts of Samson's life are touched upon as well.  The rabbis sometimes explore fantastic interpretations.  For example, Rabbi Asi states that Samson uprooted Zorah and Eshtaol, two mountains, and ground them against each other.  

Again it is apparent that the rabbis use their power to interpret to further their own narratives.  In some circumstances, this continues to be beneficial.  We continue to conceptualize Samson as a strong but complex leader of our ancestors.  Simultaneously, some of interpretations of our rabbis cast Delilah in the role of seductress and sexually charged manipulator.  Isn't it possible that her power over Samson was not based on her sexuality alone?  She also deserves the multifaceted understanding that is accorded to Samson.