NUM23 Do not put oil into the meal offering of the suspect wife. Key concepts: The offering of the suspect wife may not be enhanced. Oil is a means for providing light, and her act was done in darkness. Also, since she behaved like an animal, her offering is from barley, the cheapest and most coarse type of grain, which usually is used for animal fodder. The Ramban explains that the husband brings this offering at his expense, for knowing that his wife disobeyed his warning and secluded herself with another man, he wants Hashem to take vengeance upon her. He brings the offering of שעורים (s’orim), barley, because the word שעורים (s’orim) is like סער (s’oar), “storm” or “tempest,” and the Prophet says (Yirmeyahu 23:19), “הִנֵּ֣ה סַעֲרַ֣ת יְהוָ֗ה חֵמָה֙ יָֽצְאָ֔ה וְסַ֖עַר מִתְחֹולֵ֑ל עַ֛ל רֹ֥אשׁ רְשָׁעִ֖ים יָחֽוּל׃ ”--Behold the storm wind of Hashem. Fury has gone forth. It is whirling tempest and shall fall upon the head of the wicked.” The bitter waters are put into an earthenware vessel as a sign of breaking her like earthenware. Earth is mixed into the water as a sign that she should die and return to the dust. As to the prohibition on oil, we can add that when oil is put with other liquids, it always rises to the top. Such a woman, who has acted immorally, must be put to shame and be brought down from her heights. Thus, her offering can contain no oil. Oil is a symbol of wellbeing and excellence, for it is a means of providing light and majesty. Kings and high priests are anointed with it, so this offering must be void of it. In sum, we must realize that when a person perverts his deeds, all his ways will bring him nothing but shame and humiliation. On the other hand, when a person behaves with virtue, Hashem is good to him, and he will have happiness, joy and honor.