2,825. “An Orphan in Her Father’s Lifetime”

Hilchos Nedarim 11:24

Let’s say that a yevama (a woman awaiting levirate marriage) is a naarah (a maiden) who was only betrothed, and her father is alive. In such a case, her brother-in-law and her father don’t jointly annul her vows. Rather, only her father annuls vows that she makes. Even if her brother-in-law expressed intention to marry her, she is not considered a betrothed maiden. This is because a statement of intention doesn’t effect marriage between a man’s widow and his surviving brother, as was discussed in Hilchos Yibum (chapter 2).

Hilchos Nedarim 11:25

If a naarah was given in marriage by her father and then widowed or divorced after the marriage was effected, she is considered “an orphan in her father’s lifetime.” Her father may no longer annul her vows even if she’s still a naarah.