1,861. The Alternative of Chalitzah

Yibum v’Chalitzah 1:2

If the brother-in-law doesn’t want to perform yibum, or if the woman doesn’t consent to yibum, then their bond is severed by performing chalitzah (the shoe-removal ceremony), after which she can marry someone else. It is a Torah obligation to perform chalitzah if one doesn’t want to perform yibum as per Deuteronomy 25:9, “She shall... remove his shoe.” Performing yibum takes priority over performing chalitzah.

Yibum v’Chalitzah 1:3

The Torah requires yibum when a brother “dies childless” (Deut. 25:5); if he has a son, a daughter, or a descendant from a son or a daughter, then his wife is not required to undergo chalitzah or yibum. This is true so long as he has left some offspring, regardless of whether it was with this woman or someone else. Even a descendant who is illegitimate or idolatrous releases a woman from the bond of chalitzah or yibum.