1,875. Waiting for Another Brother

Yibum v’Chalitzah 2:7

If the eldest brother doesn’t want to perform yibum, the other brothers are given the option. If none of them want to do so, we go back to the oldest brother and tell him that it falls to him to perform either yibum or chalitzah. He is not compelled to perform yibum but he is compelled to perform chalitzah.

Yibum v’Chalitzah 2:8

Let’s say that the eldest brother asks for a delay so that a minor brother can reach the age of majority, for an absent brother to return from a journey, or for a brother who has lost the ability to hear and speak to recover, saying that if that brother refuses, he will then perform yibum or chalitzah. In such cases, the request to wait is not granted. Rather, he is told that the responsibility is his and he must perform either yibum or chalitzah.