1,882. If a Man Claims to Have a Son

Yibum v’Chalitzah 2:21

Let’s say that there’s a question under rabbinic law as to whether or not a woman is still tied to her yavam, such as if she gave birth to a premature child who died within 30 days. In such a case, she is required by rabbinic enactment to perform chalitzah to resolve the doubt. If a woman in such circumstances was betrothed by another man before performing chalitzah, the yavam should perform chalitzah, after which she may remain married to the other man. If she was betrothed by a kohein, who is not permitted to marry a woman who has performed chalitzah, then the yavam should not perform chalitzah because we don’t prohibit a man’s wife to him over a rabbinic law that was enacted because of doubt. If the kohein divorces the woman or dies, then she should perform chalitzah with the yavam, after which she is permitted to other men.

Yibum v’Chalitzah 3:1

If a man says, “This is my son” or that he has sons, he is taken at his word and his wife is exempted from having to perform yibum or chalitzah.