Yevamot 24 - March 31, 28 Adar 2

Study Guide Yevamot 24

Presentation in PDF format

The Gemara compares the case of the Mishna where after chalitza is performed with one sister, the other can do yibum and also if they both married the two sisters, we let them stay married, to the case of the Mishna in chapter 3 where both sisters can only do chalitza and if they do get marry the brothers, they must get divorced. The case here is one of doubt whereas the other is a case where each sister needs to do yibum, therefore we are stricter there as the connection of the yabam to the wives is stronger. A kohen is forbidden by rabbinic law to marry a woman who went through chalitza. Since it is only by rabbinic law, in our case, if he married the woman who underwent chalitza with the other husband’s brother, he can stay married. Preference is given to the older brother to do yibum. From where is this derived? Drashot on other parts of that verse are brought as well, such as the brother who does yibum inherits his brother’s property, one who is castrated is exempt from yibum. Why is the verse about the firstborn not used to derive other possible things, such as, only when there is a firstborn is yibum performed? If there is suspicion that one had a sexual relationship with a female slave or non-Jewish woman and the slave is freed or the non-Jewish woman converted, one cannot marry them. But if they did, they can stay married. However if one is suspected of having had a sexual relationship with a married woman, she needs to get divorced from her husband and if she marries the other man, she is forced to get divorced. Is this in a case where there were witnesses and it is clear that she committed adultery or not? Is it affected by whether or not she had children from her first marriage? Why?