Levirate Marriage and Release Chapter 5

הַיְבָמָה שֶׁנָּתַן לָהּ הַיָּבָם גֵּט כְּרִיתוּת פְּסָלָהּ וּפָסַל אֶת צָרוֹתֶיהָ עָלָיו וְעַל שְׁאָר הָאַחִין שֶׁהֲרֵי נַעֲשָׂה כְּמִי שֶׁחָלַץ לָהּ. וְאֵין הַגֵּט מוֹעִיל בִּיבָמָה אֶלָּא מִדִּבְרֵיהֶן הוֹאִיל וְהַגֵּט מְגָרֵשׁ אֵשֶׁת אִישׁ. וְכָל גֵּט שֶׁפּוֹסֵל אִשְׁתּוֹ מִן הַכְּהֻנָּה פּוֹסֵל אֶת יְבִמְתּוֹ מִן הַיִּבּוּם וְאֵינָהּ מֻתֶּרֶת לְזָר עַד שֶׁיַּחֲלֹץ לָהּ:

When a yavam gives a yevamah a bill of divorce (a get), he disqualifies her and all of [his deceased brother's] other wives [from performing yibbum] with him or with any of the other brothers. It is considered as if he has performed chalitzah with her. The power of a get to affect a yevamah is Rabbinic in origin. [They instituted this decree based on the following rationale:] Since a get has the power to bring about the divorce of a married woman, and every get causes a woman to be disqualified from the priesthood, [they decreed] that it should also disqualify a yevamah from performing yibbum. [The yevamah] is not permitted to marry another man, however, until she performs chalitzah.

הַמַּאֲמָר אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁאֵינוֹ קוֹנֶה בִּיבָמָה קִנְיָן גָּמוּר וְאֵינָהּ נַעֲשֵׂית בּוֹ אֵשֶׁת אִישׁ גְּמוּרָה צְרִיכָה מִמֶּנּוּ גֵּט וְאֵינָהּ נִתֶּרֶת לְזָר אֶלָּא בַּחֲלִיצָה:

A statement of intent to marry (ma'amar) does not fully effect the establishment of a marriage bond for a yevamah, and it does not cause her to become a married woman in the full sense. Nevertheless, [if the yavam desires to nullify the ma'amar,] he must give [the yevamah] a get. For her to marry another man, however, chalitzah must be performed.

כֵּיצַד. הָעוֹשֶׂה מַאֲמָר בִּיבִמְתּוֹ וְאֵינוֹ רוֹצֶה לִבְעל צָרִיךְ לִכְתֹּב לָהּ גֵּט שֶׁהֲרֵי נִתְקַדְּשָׁה לוֹ. וְצָרִיךְ לַחֲלֹץ לָהּ כְּדֵי לְהַתִּירָהּ לְזָר. שֶׁאֵין הַיְבָמָה נִתֶּרֶת לְזָר אֶלָּא אַחַר בְּעִילַת הַיָּבָם אוֹ אַחַר חֲלִיצָה. אֲבָל הַגֵּט פּוֹסְלָהּ לְיִבּוּם וְאֵינוֹ מַתִּירָהּ לְזָר. וְהַמַּאֲמָר אֵינוֹ קוֹנֶה בָּהּ קִנְיָן גָּמוּר כְּמוֹ הַבְּעִילָה:

What is implied? When [a yavam] gives a ma'amar to his yevamah, but does not desire to engage in sexual relations with her, he must write a get for her, since she was consecrated unto him, and he must perform chalitzah with her to cause her to be permitted to others. For a yevamah is not permitted to marry another man unless she enters into sexual relations with her yavam [and then is divorced or widowed], or if she performs chalitzah. A get disqualifies her for yibbum, but does not permit her to marry another man. A ma'amar does not effect a marriage bond in a complete sense, as sexual relations do.

נָתַן מַאֲמָר לִיבִמְתּוֹ וְחָזַר וְנָתַן גֵּט לְמַאֲמָרוֹ מַה שֶּׁעָשָׂה הֲרֵי בִּטְּלוֹ וְהֻתְּרָה. וְיֵרָאֶה לִי שֶׁלֹּא הֻתְּרָה אֶלָּא לְאֶחָיו אֲבָל זֶה שֶׁנָּתַן הַגֵּט אֲסוּרָה הִיא לוֹ:

When [a yavam] gives a ma'amar to his yevamah and then gives her a get [to nullify his ma'amar], he has negated what he brought about, and [the yevamah] is free [to perform yibbum]. It appears to me that she is free only [to perform yibbum] with his brothers, but she is forbidden to him.

נָתַן גֵּט לְזִקָּתוֹ [וְלֹא לְמַאֲמָרוֹ] פְּסָלָהּ עָלָיו וְעַל שְׁאָר הָאַחִין כְּמוֹ שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ וּצְרִיכָה גֵּט לְמַאֲמָרוֹ וַחֲלִיצָה לְהַתִּירָהּ לְזָר:

When [a yavam] gives a get [to his yevamah] [to nullify] his connection to her and not {to nullify his ma'amar}, he disqualifies her [from performing yibbum] with him and his other brothers, as stated above. He must give her [another] get [to negate] his ma'amar and perform chalitzah with her to permit her to marry another man.

הַמַּאֲמָר שֶׁנִּתַּן לִיבָמָה תְּחִלָּה וְלֹא קְדָמוֹ דָּבָר אַחֵר וְלֹא נַעֲשָׂה אַחֲרָיו דָּבָר אַחֵר אֶלָּא שֶׁבָּעַל אוֹתָהּ זֶה שֶׁנָּתַן לָהּ הַמַּאֲמָר הוּא הַנִּקְרָא מַאֲמָר כָּשֵׁר. וְאִם קְדָמוֹ גֵּט אוֹ חֲלִיצָה בֵּין מִיָּבָם זֶה בֵּין מִיָּבָם אַחֵר בֵּין בָּהּ בֵּין בְּצָרָתָהּ. וְכֵן אִם קְדָמַתּוּ בְּעִילָה בְּצָרָתָהּ בֵּין מִמֶּנּוּ בֵּין מֵאֶחָיו. אוֹ שֶׁנַּעֲשָׂה אַחֲרָיו גֵּט אוֹ חֲלִיצָה בֵּין בָּהּ בֵּין בְּצָרָתָהּ בֵּין מִמֶּנּוּ בֵּין מֵאֶחָיו. אוֹ שֶׁבָּעַל אוֹ נָתַן מַאֲמָר אַחֵר לְצָרָתָהּ בֵּין הוּא בֵּין אָחִיו. אוֹ שֶׁנָּתַן לָהּ אָחִיו מַאֲמָר אַחֵר אוֹ בְּעָלָהּ הֲרֵי זֶה נִקְרָא מַאֲמָר פָּסוּל. בֵּין הַמַּאֲמָר שֶׁקְּדָמוּהוּ הַמַּעֲשִׂים הָאֵלּוּ בֵּין הַמַּאֲמָר שֶׁנִּתְאַחֲרוּ אַחֲרָיו:

When a ma'amar is given to a yevamah at the outset, without its having been preceded by any other activity and without its having been followed by any activity other than the sexual relations between [the yavam] who gave the ma'amar and the yevamah, the ma'amar is referred to as "an acceptable ma'amar." By contrast, a ma'amar is referred to as "an unacceptable ma'amar" when: a) before the ma'amar either this yavam or one of his brothers gave a get to this yevamah or one of the deceased brother's other wives or performed chalitzah with her, b) either he or one of his brothers engaged in sexual relations with one of the deceased brother's other wives beforehand, c) after the ma'amar, either this yavam or one of his brothers gave a get to this yevamah or one of the deceased brother's other wives or performed chalitzah with her, d) he or one of his brothers engaged in sexual relations with one of the deceased brother's other wives or gave a ma'amar to one of them, or e) one of his brothers gave a ma'amar or engaged in sexual relations [with the yevamah to whom he gave the ma'amar]. [This term applies to] both a ma'amar that preceded these deeds as well as to a ma'amar that was given afterwards.

כֵּיצַד. נָתַן גֵּט אוֹ חָלַץ לִיבִמְתּוֹ וְחָזַר וְנָתַן מַאֲמָר לָהּ אוֹ לְצָרָתָהּ בֵּין הוּא בֵּין אֶחָיו. אוֹ שֶׁבָּא עַל יְבִמְתּוֹ אוֹ נָתַן לָהּ מַאֲמָר וְחָזַר וְנָתַן לָהּ מַאֲמָר אַחֵר לְצָרָתָהּ בֵּין הוּא בֵּין אֶחָיו. אוֹ שֶׁנָּתַן מַאֲמָר לִיבִמְתּוֹ וְחָזַר אָחִיו וְנָתַן לָהּ מַאֲמָר אַחֵר אוֹ בְּעָלָהּ הֲרֵי זֶה מַאֲמָר פָּסוּל בֵּין הַמַּאֲמָר הָרִאשׁוֹן בֵּין הַמַּאֲמָר הָאַחֲרוֹן:

What is implied? If [a yavam] a) gave a get or performed chalitzah with his yevamah and afterwards he or one of his brothers gave her or another of his deceased brother's wives a ma'amar, or b) he entered into relations with his yevamah or gave her a ma'amar, and then he or one of his brothers gave another of his deceased brother's wives a ma'amar or entered into relations with her, the ma'amar is unacceptable. This applies both to the first ma'amar and the second ma'amar.

נִמְצֵאתָ לָמֵד שֶׁהַמַּאֲמָר בֵּין שֶׁקְּדָמוֹ מַאֲמָר אַחֵר אוֹ גֵּט אוֹ חֲלִיצָה אוֹ בְּעִילָה. בֵּין שֶׁקָּדַם הַמַּאֲמָר לְאֶחָד מֵאֵלּוּ. הֲרֵי זֶה מַאֲמָר פָּסוּל. חוּץ מִן הַנּוֹתֵן מַאֲמָר וּבָעַל בְּעִילָה אַחַר הַמַּאֲמָר שֶׁזּוֹ הִיא כְּהִלְכָתָהּ:

Thus, we may conclude that whether a ma'amar was preceded by another ma'amar, a get, a chalitzah, or sexual relations, or whether any of these acts preceded a ma'amar, the ma'amar is unacceptable. The only exception is when [a yavam] gives a ma'amar and enters into sexual relations [with the yevamah] after the ma'amar; this follows the dictates of the law.

הַבְּעִילָה שֶׁבּוֹעֵל הַיָּבָם אֶת יְבִמְתּוֹ תְּחִלָּה אוֹ אַחַר מַאֲמָרוֹ בָּהּ וְלֹא קְדָמָהּ דָּבָר אַחֵר נִקְרֵאת בְּעִילָה כְּשֵׁרָה. וְאִם קְדָמָהּ מַאֲמָר מֵאֶחָיו אוֹ גֵּט בֵּין מִמֶּנּוּ בֵּין מֵאֶחָיו בֵּין בָּהּ בֵּין בְּצָרָתָהּ. אוֹ שֶׁקְּדָמָהּ מַאֲמָר בְּצָרָתָהּ בֵּין מִמֶּנּוּ בֵּין מֵאֶחָיו הֲרֵי זוֹ נִקְרֵאת בְּעִילָה פְּסוּלָה:

When a yavam enters into sexual relations with his yevamah at the outset or after giving her a ma'amar, and nothing else preceded [their relations], [their] relations are referred to as "acceptable." If a) a ma'amar from one of his brothers [was given to this yevamah], b) a get was given [to this yevamah] or to one of [the deceased brother's] other wives, or c) a ma'amar [was given by this yavam] or one of his brothers to one of [the deceased brother's] other wives, before [the yavam and the yevamah entered into relations], the relations are referred to as unacceptable.

הַחֲלִיצָה שֶׁחוֹלֵץ הַיָּבָם לִיבִמְתּוֹ תְּחִלָּה אִם לֹא קְדָמָהּ דָּבָר אַחֵר נִקְרֵאת חֲלִיצָה מְעֻלָּה. וְאִם קְדָמָהּ גֵּט אוֹ מַאֲמָר בֵּין מִיָּבָם זֶה בֵּין מֵאֶחָיו בֵּין בָּהּ בֵּין בְּצָרָתָהּ הֲרֵי זוֹ נִקְרֵאת חֲלִיצָה פְּחוּתָה:

When a yavam performs chalitzah with his yevamah at the outset without any other activity preceding it, the act is referred to as "a superior chalitzah." If [the chalitzah] was preceded by a get or a ma'amar, whether from this yavam or from his brothers, [which was given] either to this yevamah or to one of [the deceased brother's] other wives, the act is referred to as an "inferior chalitzah."

יְבָמוֹת רַבּוֹת הַבָּאוֹת מִבַּיִת אֶחָד כֵּיוָן שֶׁנִּבְעֲלָה אַחַת מֵהֶן בְּעִילָה כְּשֵׁרָה אוֹ נֶחְלְצָה חֲלִיצָה מְעֻלָּה הֻתְּרוּ הַכּל וְנִסְתַּלְּקָה זִקַּת הַיָּבָם מֵעֲלֵיהֶן. וְאִם נִבְעֲלָה אַחַת מֵהֶן בְּעִילָה פְּסוּלָה אוֹ נִתַּן לָהּ מַאֲמָר פָּסוּל נֶאֶסְרוּ כֻּלָּן לְיִבּוּם וּצְרִיכָה גֵּט זוֹ שֶׁנִּבְעֲלָה אוֹ שֶׁנִּתַּן לָהּ מַאֲמָר. וּצְרִיכָה חֲלִיצָה [כָּל] אַחַת מֵהֶן לְהַתִּירָן לְזָר. שֶׁאֵין זִקַּת הַיִּבּוּם מִסְתַּלֶּקֶת בִּבְעִילָה פְּחוּתָה:

When there are many yevamot coming from one household, after one of them has entered into "acceptable relations" or performed a "superior chalitzah," all are permitted [to marry other men], and their obligation to the yavam is removed. If one of them entered into "unacceptable relations" or was given an "unacceptable ma'amar," all the wives are forbidden to perform yibbum. The woman who entered into relations or who received the ma'amar must be divorced with a get. [In addition,] {each} one of them is required to perform chalitzah to be permitted to marry another man. For "unacceptable relations" do not remove [a yevamah's] obligation to her yavam.

נֶחְלְצָה אַחַת מֵהֶן חֲלִיצָה פְּחוּתָה הֻתְּרָה לְהִנָּשֵׂא לְזָר זוֹ שֶׁנֶּחְלְצָה אֲבָל צָרָתָהּ אֲסוּרָה עַד שֶׁתַּחֲלֹץ גַּם הִיא אוֹ עַד שֶׁיַּחְלְצוּ כָּל הָאַחִין לָרִאשׁוֹנָה שֶׁנֶּחְלְצָה הַחֲלִיצָה הַפְּחוּתָה. שֶׁאֵין חֲלִיצָה פְּחוּתָה מְסַלֶּקֶת זִקַּת יִבּוּם מִבַּיִת זֶה עַד שֶׁתַּחֲזֹר עַל כָּל הָאַחִין אוֹ עַד שֶׁתֵּחָלֵץ כָּל אַחַת מֵהֶן:

If one of [a deceased man's wives] performs an "inferior chalitzah," she is permitted to marry another man, but [the deceased's] other wives remain forbidden [to marry] unless they perform chalitzah or unless all the brothers perform chalitzah with [the yevamah] who performed the "inferior chalitzah." For an "inferior chalitzah" does not remove the obligation of yibbum from this household until [the yevamah who performed the "inferior chalitzah" performs chalitzah] with all the brothers, or all [the deceased's wives] perform chalitzah.

כָּל יְבָמָה שֶׁנִּבְעֲלָה לִיבָמָהּ בֵּין בְּעִילָה כְּשֵׁרָה בֵּין בְּעִילָה פְּסוּלָה. וַאֲפִלּוּ בְּעָלָהּ אַחַר שֶׁחָלַץ לָהּ בֵּין הוּא בֵּין אֶחָיו בֵּין לְשֵׁם אִישׁוּת בֵּין לְשֵׁם יַבְּמוּת. וַאֲפִלּוּ בָּעַל צָרָתָהּ אַחַר שֶׁבָּעַל בְּעִילָה כְּשֵׁרָה בֵּין הוּא בֵּין אֶחָיו. הֲרֵי זוֹ צְרִיכָה גֵּט שֶׁהֲרֵי נַעֲשֵׂית אֵשֶׁת אִישׁ בַּבְּעִילָה. וְכֵן כָּל יְבָמָה שֶׁנִּתַּן לָהּ מַאֲמָר בֵּין מַאֲמָר כָּשֵׁר בֵּין מַאֲמָר פָּסוּל הֲרֵי זוֹ צְרִיכָה גֵּט מִפְּנֵי הַמַּאֲמָר כְּמוֹ שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ וְאַחַר כָּךְ יָסוּר אִסּוּר הַמַּאֲמָר:

Whenever a yevamah engages in sexual relations with her yavam, [a get is required to terminate the relationship], regardless of whether or not the relations are acceptable. [This applies] even if [the yavam] engaged in relations with [the yevamah] after performing chalitzah with her. [Similarly, this ruling applies] regardless of whether [a yavam] or his brothers engaged in the relations for the sake of establishing a marriage bond or for the sake of yibbum. Even if [a yavam] or his brother engages in relations with another [one of the deceased's] wives after [the yavam] engages in "acceptable relations" with [his yevamah], he must divorce the woman with a get, for these relations effect the establishment of a marriage bond. Similarly, whenever a yevamah is given a ma'amar - whether an "acceptable ma'amar" or an "unacceptable ma'amar" - a get is required because of the ma'amar, as explained. Only then is the prohibition brought about by the ma'amar removed.

כְּבָר אָמַרְנוּ שֶׁאֵין הַגֵּט דּוֹחֶה הַיְבָמָה דְּחִיָּה גְּמוּרָה וְכֵן הַמַּאֲמָר אֵינוֹ קוֹנֶה בָּהּ קִנְיָן גָּמוּר. אֲבָל הַבְּעִילָה קוֹנָה קִנְיָן גָּמוּר. וְהַחֲלִיצָה דּוֹחָה אוֹתָהּ דְּחִיָּה גְּמוּרָה. לְפִיכָךְ גֵּט אַחַר גֵּט בִּיבָמָה אוֹ מַאֲמָר אַחַר מַאֲמָר מוֹעִיל. אֲבָל בְּעִילָה אַחַר בְּעִילָה וַחֲלִיצָה אַחַר חֲלִיצָה אֵין הָאַחֲרוֹנָה מוֹעֶלֶת כְּלוּם. וְכֵן גֵּט אוֹ חֲלִיצָה אַחַר הַבְּעִילָה אֵינָהּ כְּלוּם:

As mentioned, a get does not dissolve [a yavam's connection with] his yevamah entirely. Similarly, a ma'amar does not acquire her [as a wife for the yavam] in a complete way. It is [only] sexual relations that establish the marriage bond in a complete manner, and it is [only] chalitzah that dissolves the connection entirely. Therefore, when a yevamah is given one get after another, or one ma'amar after another, there is an effect. When, however, [another brother] engages in relations with [a yevamah with whom a yavam] engaged in relations, or performs chalitzah with [a yevamah with whom a yavam] performed chalitzah, the second relations or the second chalitzah are of no consequence. Similarly, a get or chalitzah that follows relations is of no consequence.

כֵּיצַד. יָבָם שֶׁנָּתַן גֵּט לִיבִמְתּוֹ וְחָזַר וְנָתַן גֵּט לְצָרָתָהּ הֲרֵי זֶה אָסוּר בִּקְרוֹבוֹת שְׁתֵּיהֶן. וְכֵן שְׁנֵי יְבָמִין שֶׁנָּתְנוּ שְׁנֵי גִּטִּין לִיבָמָה אַחַת זֶה אַחַר זֶה הֲרֵי זוֹ כִּגְרוּשָׁה לִשְׁנֵיהֶן וּשְׁנֵיהֶן אֲסוּרִין בִּקְרוֹבוֹתֶיהָ וְאֶחָד מֵהֶן חוֹלֵץ. וְכֵן אִם נָתַן גֵּט לִיבִמְתּוֹ וְחָזַר וְנָתַן אָחִיו גֵּט לְצָרָתָהּ כָּל אֶחָד אָסוּר בִּקְרוֹבוֹת זוֹ שֶׁנָּתַן לָהּ הַגֵּט. וְכֵן אִם נָתְנוּ מַאֲמָר אַחַר מַאֲמָר כְּמוֹ שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ. אֲבָל הַיָּבָם שֶׁחָלַץ לִיבִמְתּוֹ וְחָזַר וְחָלַץ לְצָרָתָהּ בֵּין הוּא בֵּין אָחִיו. וְכֵן שְׁתֵּי יְבָמִין שֶׁחָלְצוּ זֶה אַחַר זֶה לִיבָמָה אַחַת אֵין חֲלִיצָה אַחֲרוֹנָה כְּלוּם וְאֵין הַחוֹלֵץ אוֹתָהּ בָּאַחֲרוֹנָה אָסוּר בִּקְרוֹבוֹתֶיהָ. שֶׁזֶּה כְּחוֹלֵץ לִשְׁאָר הַנָּשִׁים שֶׁאֵין לוֹ עֲלֵיהֶן זִקָּה:

What is implied? When a yavam gives a get to a yevamah, and afterwards gives a get to another one of [the deceased's] wives, he is forbidden to marry the relatives of both women. Similarly, when two yevamim give two gittin to one yevamah, one after the other, she is considered to have been divorced by both of them. They are both forbidden to marry her relatives; one of them should perform chalitzah [with her]. Similarly, if [a yavam] gives a get to his yevamah, and then his brother gives a get to another one of [the deceased's] wives, each brother is forbidden to marry the relatives of the woman to whom he gave the get. Similarly, if [two brothers each] give a ma'amar, one after the other, [each must give a get], as explained. When, however, a yavam performs chalitzah with his yevamah, and afterwards either he or his brother perform chalitzah with another of [the deceased's] wives, or two yevamim perform chalitzah with the same yevamah, the second chalitzah is of no consequence, and the brother who performed it is not forbidden to marry the woman's relatives. It is just as if he performed chalitzah with another woman who is not under obligation to him.

וְכֵן הַבּוֹעֵל יְבִמְתּוֹ וְחָזַר בֵּין הוּא בֵּין אָחִיו וְחָלַץ לָהּ אוֹ לְצָרָתָהּ אֵין חֲלִיצָה זוֹ כְּלוּם. וְכֵן אִם חָזַר אָחִיו וְנָתַן גֵּט לָהּ אוֹ לְצָרָתָהּ אֵינוֹ כְּלוּם. חָזַר אָחִיו וְנָתַן לָהּ מַאֲמָר אוֹ בָּעַל לֹא עָשָׂה כְּלוּם מֵאַחַר שֶׁבָּעַל אָחִיו תְּחִלָּה קָנָה קִנְיָן גָּמוּר וְאֵין הַקִּדּוּשִׁין תּוֹפְסִין בְּאֵשֶׁת אִישׁ. אֲבָל אִם נָתַן מַאֲמָר לְצָרָתָהּ אוֹ בָּעַל צָרָתָהּ צְרִיכָה גֵּט מִמֶּנּוּ כְּמוֹ שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ:

Similarly, when a man engages in relations with his yevamah, and then he or one of his brothers performs chalitzah with her or with one of the other wives [of his deceased brother], this chalitzah is of no consequence. Similarly, if his brother gave a get to [this yevamah or] any of the other wives [of his deceased brother], it is of no consequence. Nor is it of consequence if one of his brothers gives the woman a ma'amar or engages in relations with her. Once the brother engaged in relations with her, he acquired her [as his wife] in a complete manner, and a married woman cannot be consecrated by another man. If, however, one of the brothers gave a ma'amar to one of the other wives [of his deceased brother], or engaged in relations with her, he must release her with a get, as we have explained.

שְׁנֵי יְבָמִין שֶׁיִּבְּמוּ שְׁתֵּי יְבָמוֹת הַבָּאוֹת מִבַּיִת אֶחָד וְלֹא נוֹדַע מִי יִבֵּם תְּחִלָּה שְׁנֵיהֶן יוֹצִיאוּ בְּגֵט וְיֻתְּרוּ לְזָרִים וַאֲסוּרוֹת לַיְבָמִין. לְפִיכָךְ רְאוּבֵן שֶׁהָיָה בִּירוּשָׁלַיִם וְלוֹ שְׁתֵּי נָשִׁים אַחַת בְּעַכּוֹ וְאַחַת בְּצוֹר וְשִׁמְעוֹן אָחִיו בְּעַכּוֹ וְלֵוִי אָחִיו בְּצוֹר וְשָׁמְעוּ שֶׁמֵּת רְאוּבֵן הַדִּין נוֹתֵן שֶׁלֹּא יְיַבֵּם אֶחָד מֵהֶן עַד שֶׁיִּוָּדַע מֶה עָשָׂה אָחִיו שֶׁמָּא קָדַם וְיִבֵּם. קָדַם אֶחָד מֵהֶן וְיִבֵּם אֵין מוֹצִיאִין מִיָּדוֹ עַד שֶׁיִּוָּדַע שֶׁאָחִיו יִבֵּם תְּחִלָּה. רָצָה הָאֶחָד לַחֲלֹץ קֹדֶם שֶׁיָּדַע מֶה עָשָׂה אָחִיו אֵין מוֹנְעִין אוֹתוֹ:

[The following rules apply when] two yevamim perform yibbum with two yevamot coming from the same household, and it is not known who performed yibbum first. Both should divorce [the women] with gittin. The women are then permitted to marry other men, but are forbidden to the yevamim. Consequently, when Reuven lived in Jerusalem and he had two wives, one living in Akko and one living in Tyre, [and two brothers:] Shimon who lived in Akko and Levi who lived in Tyre, if there is a report that Reuven died, according to law it would be proper for neither brother to perform yibbum until he knows what his other brother did. For perhaps he performed yibbum first. If one of the brothers does perform yibbum, he is not forced to divorce his wife until it is determined that his other brother performed yibbum first. If one brother desired to perform chalitzah without waiting to see what his other brother did, he is not prevented from doing so.

יָבָם קָטָן בֶּן תֵּשַׁע שָׁנִים וְיוֹם אֶחָד בִּיאָתוֹ כְּמַאֲמָר מִן הַגָּדוֹל שֶׁאֵינוֹ קוֹנֶה קִנְיָן גָּמוּר. וּמַאֲמָר בֶּן תֵּשַׁע שָׁנִים וְיוֹם אֶחָד אִם נְתָנוֹ בַּתְּחִלָּה מוֹעִיל וַהֲרֵי הוּא פּוֹסֵל בּוֹ עַל הַגָּדוֹל אֲבָל אִם נְתָנוֹ בַּסּוֹף אֵינוֹ כְּלוּם. וְגִטּוֹ וַחֲלִיצָתוֹ אֵינָם כְּלוּם בֵּין בַּתְּחִלָּה בֵּין בַּסּוֹף:

When a yavam who is below the age of majority, [but more than] nine years and one day old, enters into relations [with a yevamah], [the consequence] is equivalent to [that of] a ma'amar given by an adult; [the yevamah] is not acquired as a wife in a complete manner. When [a yavam who is below the age of majority, but more than] nine years and one day old, gives a ma'amar at the outset, it is effective and causes [the yevamah] to be forbidden to [his brothers] who are past majority. If, however, he gives [the ma'amar after a ma'amar has been given by his brothers who are past majority, his ma'amar] is of no consequence. [Similarly,] a get that he gives or chalitzah that he performs is always of no consequence, whether it precedes [his brothers' actions] or follows them.

כֵּיצַד. בֶּן תֵּשַׁע שָׁנִים וְיוֹם אֶחָד שֶׁבָּא עַל יְבִמְתּוֹ אוֹ שֶׁנָּתַן לָהּ מַאֲמָר תְּחִלָּה פְּסָלָהּ עַל שְׁאָר אַחִין. אֲבָל אִם עָשָׂה הַגָּדוֹל מַאֲמָר בִּיבִמְתּוֹ וְחָזַר בֶּן תֵּשַׁע שָׁנִים וְיוֹם אֶחָד וְנָתַן לָהּ אוֹ לְצָרָתָהּ מַאֲמָר לֹא עָשָׂה כְּלוּם וְלֹא פְּסָלָהּ עַל אָחִיו הַגָּדוֹל. חָזַר בֶּן תֵּשַׁע שָׁנִים וְיוֹם אֶחָד וּבָא עָלֶיהָ אוֹ עַל צָרָתָהּ אַחַר מַאֲמַר אָחִיו הַגָּדוֹל פְּסָלָהּ עַל הַגָּדוֹל כִּשְׁנֵי גְּדוֹלִים שֶׁעָשׂוּ מַאֲמָר אַחַר מַאֲמָר כְּמוֹ שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ:

What is implied? When a [yavam who is below the age of majority, but more than] nine years and one day old, engages in relations with his yevamah, or gives her a ma'amar at the outset, he disqualifies her [from performing yibbum] with his other brothers. If, however, [one of the brothers] past majority gave his yevamah a ma'amar, and then [the brother who is below the age of majority, but more than] nine years and one day old, gives her or another one of the wives [of the deceased brother] a ma'amar, his actions are of no consequence, and he does not cause [the yevamah] to be forbidden to his elder brother. If, however, [the brother who is below the age of majority, but more than] nine years and one day old engages in relations with her or with another one of the wives of [the deceased brother], he causes [the yevamah] to be forbidden to his elder brother, as would be the case when two [brothers] past majority each gave a ma'amar one after the other, as we have explained.

בֶּן תֵּשַׁע שָׁנִים וְיוֹם אֶחָד שֶׁבָּא עַל יְבִמְתּוֹ וְחָזַר אָחִיו הַגָּדוֹל וּבָא עָלֶיהָ אוֹ חָלַץ אוֹ נָתַן גֵּט לָהּ אוֹ לְצָרָתָהּ הֲרֵי זֶה פְּסָלָהּ עַל הַקָּטָן. וְכֵן אִם חָזַר הַקָּטָן וּבָא עַל צָרָתָהּ אוֹ בָּא אָחִיו הָאַחֵר שֶׁהוּא בֶּן תֵּשַׁע שָׁנִים וְיוֹם אֶחָד עָלֶיהָ אוֹ עַל צָרָתָהּ נִפְסְלָה עָלָיו כְּדִין כָּל מַאֲמָר וּמַאֲמָר:

When a [yavam who is below the age of majority, but more than] nine years and one day old, has engaged in relations with his yevamah, and then one of his brothers past majority entered into relations with her, performed chalitzah with her, gave her a get, or performed one of these activities with another [one of the deceased brother's] wives, he disqualified the minor [from marrying his yevamah]. Similarly, if the minor has engaged in relations with another [one of the deceased brother's] wives, or another brother who is also [below the age of majority, but more than] nine years and one day old, has engaged in relations with this woman, or with another [one of the deceased brother's] wives, [the woman with whom the first brother originally engaged in relations] is disqualified [from marrying him], as is the ruling whenever two ma'amarim are given one after the other.

בֶּן תֵּשַׁע שָׁנִים וְיוֹם אֶחָד שֶׁבָּא עַל יְבִמְתּוֹ וְהִגְדִּיל וְלֹא בָּא עָלֶיהָ מִשֶּׁהִגְדִּיל צְרִיכָה גֵּט וַחֲלִיצָה. גֵּט מִפְּנֵי בִּיאָתוֹ שֶׁהִיא כְּמַאֲמָר וַחֲלִיצָה לְהַתִּירָהּ לְזָר שֶׁהֲרֵי לֹא נִבְעֲלָה בְּעִילָה שֶׁקּוֹנָה קִנְיָן גָּמוּר. וְאִם בָּא עָלֶיהָ מִשֶּׁהִגְדִּיל הֲרֵי זוֹ צְרִיכָה גֵּט בִּלְבַד:

When a [yavam who is below the age of majority, but more than] nine years and one day old, engages in relations with his yevamah and then does not engage in relations with her again after he attains majority, [he is] required [to give her] a get and perform chalitzah. The get [is necessary] because the relations in which he engaged are considered equivalent to a ma'amar. The chalitzah [is necessary] in order to permit the woman to marry another man, for she did not engage in relations that established a complete marriage bond. If [her yavam] engaged in relations with her after he attained majority, all that is required [to enable her to marry another man] is a get.

אֶחָד בֶּן תֵּשַׁע שָׁנִים וְיוֹם אֶחָד. וְאֶחָד בֶּן עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה שֶׁלֹּא הֵבִיא שְׁתֵּי שְׂעָרוֹת וְלֹא נוֹלְדוּ בּוֹ סִימָנֵי סָרִיס כְּמוֹ שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ בִּתְחִלַּת הַסֵּפֶר:

[The same laws that apply to a yavam who is below the age of majority, but more than] nine years and one day old [apply to a yavam who] is twenty years old and has not manifested signs of physical maturity, but has also not manifested physical signs of impotency, as explained in the beginning of this book.

קְטַנָּה שֶׁרְאוּיָה לְמָאֵן. וְהַחֵרֶשֶׁת. אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁקִּדּוּשֵׁי שְׁתֵּיהֶן מִדִּבְרֵי סוֹפְרִים כְּמוֹ שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ שְׁנֵי מִינֵי קִדּוּשִׁין הֵן. קְטַנָּה יֵשׁ לָהּ קִדּוּשִׁין כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יִנְהֲגוּ בָּהּ מִנְהַג הֶפְקֵר. וְקִדּוּשֶׁיהָ תְּלוּיִין עַד שֶׁתַּגְדִּיל. וְחֵרֶשֶׁת תִּקְּנוּ לָהּ נִשּׂוּאִין כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא תִּשָּׁאֵר פְּנוּיָה לְעוֹלָם. לְפִיכָךְ אִם הָיוּ כָּל הַיְבָמוֹת הַבָּאוֹת מִבַּיִת אֶחָד קְטַנּוֹת אוֹ חֵרְשׁוֹת בִּיאָתָהּ שֶׁל אַחַת מֵהֶן פּוֹטֶרֶת אֶת כֻּלָּן:

As explained, both the consecration of a girl below the age of majority who is fit to leave her husband through the rite of mi'un, and [the consecration of a girl who is] a deaf-mute are Rabbinic institutions. Nevertheless, they are two different types of ordinances. [For] the consecration of a minor was ordained so that [men] will not relate to her in an unrestrained manner. Her consecration is thus tentative until she comes of age. Consecration was ordained for a deaf-mute [for a different reason,] so that she will not remain unmarried forever. Accordingly, if all the yevamot coming from one household are below majority or all are deaf mutes, entering into relations with one of them frees them all from their obligation.

הָיְתָה אַחַת חֵרֶשֶׁת וְאַחַת קְטַנָּה אֵין בִּיאַת אַחַת מֵהֶן פּוֹטֶרֶת אֶת צָרָתָהּ. וְכֵיצַד תַּקָּנָתָן. מְלַמְּדִין הַקְּטַנָּה שֶׁתְּמָאֵן וְכוֹנֵס אֶת הַחֵרֶשֶׁת. וְאִם רָצָה לְגָרְשָׁהּ כּוֹתֵב לָהּ גֵּט אַחַר שֶׁיָּבוֹא עָלֶיהָ וְתֻתַּר לְזָר:

If [by contrast, the deceased was married to] a deaf-mute and a minor, engaging in relations with one does not free the other of her obligation. What is the alternative? The minor should be instructed to [nullify her marriage through] mi'un, and [a yavam] should marry the deaf-mute. If he desires to divorce her, he may write a get for her after they engage in relations. She is then permitted [to marry] another man.

הָיְתָה אַחַת פִּקַּחַת וְאַחַת חֵרֶשֶׁת בִּיאַת הַפִּקַּחַת אוֹ חֲלִיצָתָהּ פּוֹטֶרֶת הַחֵרֶשֶׁת. וְאֵין בִּיאַת הַחֵרֶשֶׁת פּוֹטֶרֶת הַפִּקַּחַת שֶׁאֵין קִדּוּשֶׁיהָ אֶלָּא מִדִּבְרֵיהֶן. וְכֵן גְּדוֹלָה וּקְטַנָּה בִּיאַת הַגְּדוֹלָה אוֹ חֲלִיצָתָהּ פּוֹטֶרֶת הַקְּטַנָּה וְאֵין בִּיאַת הַקְּטַנָּה פּוֹטֶרֶת אֶת הַגְּדוֹלָה:

If one [of the deceased's wives] was mentally competent, and one was a deaf-mute, engaging in relations with the mentally competent woman, or performing chalitzah with her frees the deaf-mute of her obligation. Engaging in relations with the deaf-mute, by contrast, does not free the mentally competent woman [from her obligation]. For the consecration of the deaf-mute is merely a Rabbinic institution. Similar [laws apply when one of the deceased wives was] above majority, and one was a minor. Engaging in relations with the woman past majority, or performing chalitzah with her frees the minor of her obligation. Engaging in relations with the minor, by contrast, does not free the woman past majority [from her obligation].

הָיוּ שְׁתֵּיהֶן קְטַנּוֹת הָרְאוּיוֹת לְמָאֵן וּבָא הַיָּבָם עַל אַחַת מֵהֶן וְחָזַר וּבָא אוֹ הוּא אוֹ אָחִיו עַל הַשְּׁנִיָּה לֹא פָּסַל אֶת הָרִאשׁוֹנָה. אֲבָל מְלַמְּדִין אֶת הַשְּׁנִיָּה שֶׁתְּמָאֵן וִיקַיֵּם זֶה יְבִמְתּוֹ הַקְּטַנָּה שֶׁנִּבְעֲלָה תְּחִלָּה:

[The following rules apply if] both [the deceased's wives] were minors who are entitled to absolve their marriages through mi'un. If the yavam engages in relations with one of them, and then he or one of his brothers engages in relations with the other, this does not disqualify the marriage to the first. Nevertheless, we should instruct [the second one] to dissolve her marriage through] mi'un. He should then maintain [his marriage] with the minor yevamah with whom he engaged in relations first.

וְכֵן הַדִּין בִּקְטַנָּה וְחֵרֶשֶׁת שֶׁבָּא הַיָּבָם תְּחִלָּה עַל הַקְּטַנָּה וְחָזַר וּבָא הוּא אוֹ אָחִיו עַל הַחֵרֶשֶׁת לֹא פָּסַל אֶת הַקְּטַנָּה וְהַחֵרֶשֶׁת צְרִיכָה גֵּט. שֶׁבִּיאַת הַקְּטַנָּה מְעֻלָּה מִבִּיאַת הַחֵרֶשֶׁת. שֶׁהַקְּטַנָּה רְאוּיָה לְאַחַר זְמַן. לְפִיכָךְ יְקַיֵּם הַקְּטַנָּה שֶׁנִּבְעֲלָה תְּחִלָּה:

Similar laws apply if [the deceased was married to] a minor and a deaf-mute. If the yavam first enters into relations with the minor, and then he or one of his brothers engages in relations with the deaf-mute, this does not disqualify the marriage to the minor. The deaf-mute, however, must be divorced via a get. [The rationale is that] the relations with the minor are considered superior to relations with the deaf-mute, for ultimately the minor will be fit [to enter into a marriage bond that is binding according to Scriptural law]. Therefore, he should maintain his relationship with the minor with whom he engaged in relations first.

בָּא הַיָּבָם תְּחִלָּה עַל הַחֵרֶשֶׁת וְחָזַר וּבָא הוּא אוֹ אָחִיו עַל הַקְּטַנָּה פָּסַל אֶת הַחֵרֶשֶׁת. וּמְלַמְּדִין הַקְּטַנָּה שֶׁתְּמָאֵן וְהַחֵרֶשֶׁת יוֹצְאָה בְּגֵט:

[In the above situation,] if the yavam first enters into relations with the deaf-mute, and then he or one of his brothers engages in relations with the minor, this disqualifies the marriage to the deaf-mute. We should instruct the minor to dissolve her marriage through] mi'un; the deaf-mute must be divorced with a get.

הָיוּ אַחַת פִּקַּחַת וְאַחַת חֵרֶשֶׁת. בָּא הַיָּבָם עַל הַפִּקַּחַת וְחָזַר וּבָא הוּא אוֹ אָחִיו עַל הַחֵרֶשֶׁת לֹא פָּסַל אֶת הַפִּקַּחַת וְהַחֵרֶשֶׁת צְרִיכָה גֵּט. בָּא הַיָּבָם עַל הַחֵרֶשֶׁת וְחָזַר הוּא אוֹ אָחִיו וּבָא עַל הַפִּקַּחַת פָּסַל אֶת הַחֵרֶשֶׁת. וְהַחֵרֶשֶׁת יוֹצְאָה בְּגֵט. וְהַפִּקַּחַת בְּגֵט וּבַחֲלִיצָה:

[The following rules apply if the deceased was married to] a mentally competent woman and a deaf-mute. If the yavam engaged in relations with the mentally competent woman, and then he or one of his brothers engages in relations with the deaf-mute, this does not disqualify the marriage to the mentally competent woman. The deaf-mute, however, must be divorced via a get. If the yavam first enters into relations with the deaf-mute, and then he or one of his brothers engages in relations with the mentally competent woman, this disqualifies the marriage to the deaf-mute. The deaf-mute must be divorced with a get, and the mentally competent woman should receive both a get and chalitzah.

הָיוּ גְּדוֹלָה וּקְטַנָּה וּבָא עַל הַגְּדוֹלָה וְחָזַר הוּא אוֹ אָחִיו וּבָא עַל הַקְּטַנָּה לֹא פָּסַל הַגְּדוֹלָה וּמְלַמְּדִין אֶת הַקְּטַנָּה שֶׁתְּמָאֵן. בָּא עַל הַקְּטַנָּה וְחָזַר וּבָא הוּא אוֹ אָחִיו עַל הַגְּדוֹלָה. מְלַמְּדִין אֶת הַקְּטַנָּה שֶׁתְּמָאֵן וִיקַיֵּם הַגְּדוֹלָה שֶׁבְּעִילָתָהּ קוֹנָה קִנְיָן גָּמוּר:

[The following rules apply if the deceased was married to] a woman past the age of majority and one below the age of majority. [If the yavam] first enters into relations with the woman past majority, and then he or one of his brothers engages in relations with the minor, this does not disqualify the marriage to the woman past majority. We should, however, instruct the minor to dissolve her marriage through mi'un. If he first enters into relations with the minor, and then he or one of his brothers engages in relations with the woman past majority, we should instruct the minor to dissolve her marriage through mi'un, and he should remain married to the woman past majority. [The rationale is that] relations with her establish a fully binding marriage bond.