Yevamot


Yevamot is a tractate of the Talmud that deals with, among other concepts, the laws of Yibbum, and, briefly, with conversion to Judaism. This tractate is the first in the order of Nashim.
Yevamot, along with Eruvin and Niddah, is considered one of the three most difficult tractates in the Babylonian Talmud. A Hebrew mnemonic for the three is עני.

Contents

Yibbum is the Torah law by which the brother of a man who died without children is allowed and expected to marry the widow. This law only applies to paternal brothers, i.e., brothers by the same father; whether they have the same mother or different mothers is irrelevant. The deceased's widow is forbidden to marry anyone else while waiting for one of the brothers to marry her, or release to her by performing a ceremony known as Chalitza. In any case where Yibbum applies, Chalitza may be performed as an alternative. There are numerous cases discussed in this tractate where Yibbum does not apply, and therefore Chalitza does not apply either.

Chapter headings

  1. Chamesh Esreh Nashim חמש עשרה נשים
  2. Keytzad Eshet Achiv כיצד אשת אחיו
  4. Hacholetz Livamto החולץ ליבמתו
  5. Rabban Gamli'el רבן גמליאל
  6. Habba Al Yevimto הבא על יבמתו
  7. Almanah Lekhohen Gadol אלמנה לכהן גדול
  8. He'arel הערל
  9. Yesh Muttarot יש מותרות
  11. Nose'in Al Ha'anusah נושאין על האנוסה
  12. Mitzvat Chalitzah מצות חליצה
  13. Beit Shamay Omrim Eyn Mema'anin בית שמאי אומרים אין ממאנין
  14. Cheresh Shennasa חרש שנשא
  15. Ha'ishah Shehalekhah Hi האשה שהלכה היא | Ha'ishah... Shalom האשה... שלום
  16. Ha'ishah Batra האשה בתרא | Ha'ishah Shehalekhah Balah Vetzaratah האשה שהלכה בעלה וצרתה