1,907. The Yevama's Kesubah

Yibum v’Chalitzah 4:31

Testimony for a chalitzah may be delivered by the three judges who are to officiate, two of the three judges, or two other people who will witness the ceremony but not serve as judges. A woman, a servant and a minor who is old enough to understand can also testify that “This is X, the brother of Y, and this is his yevama,” and chalitzah may be performed based on this. This is not the case regarding other forms of testimony required by the Torah, neither those necessary in matters of civil law nor those necessary for religious matters. It is permitted here because the matter is likely to be publicized and the facts would become known even without relying on this testimony, as we discussed at the end of Hilchos Gittin. If the yavam wants to perform yibum, he should betroth the yevama, perform yibum and write her a kesubah, as has already been explained.

Yibum v’Chalitzah 4:32

The text of the kesubah given to a yevama nowadays is: “On day A of the week and day B of the month, in this year according to the reckoning that is followed in location C, X the son of W, appeared before us and said, ‘My paternal brother died, leaving life to the Sages and all of Israel. He left no son or daughter to inherit him and to perpetuate his name in Israel but he did leave a wife, Y the daughter of Z. According to the Torah, she is able to perform yibum with me as per the law of Moses: A yavam will go in unto her.’ This woman consented and performed yibum with X the son of W, her yavam, to perpetuate the deceased’s name in Israel as it says, ‘The firstborn whom she bears will establish the name of his brother who died.’ X, the yavam, wrote a kesubah for 200 silver zuz to which she is entitled as per the original kesubah written by her first husband. He adds to this commitment from his own funds amount Q. Following is the dowry that she brought into the marriage....” The kesubah then continues in the standard text (which is the subject of the next halacha).