1,939. If the Yavam Who Died Was a Minor

Yibum v’Chalitzah 6:30

Let’s say that a minor yavam over the age of nine years and a day was intimate with his yevama and died before reaching the age of majority. This woman then falls to the minor’s older brother a second time. In such a case they should perform chalitzah to the exclusion of yibum. As has been discussed, relations with a minor are considered the equivalent of maamar given by an adult, with the result that this woman has two levirate bonds.

Yibum v’Chalitzah 6:31

Let’s say that a woman who was half-servant and half-free was betrothed by Reuven, after which she was freed and betrothed Shimon (Reuven’s brother). Subsequently, both of these brothers died. In such a case, Levi, (the third brother) may perform yibum with this woman. She is not considered to be the wife of two deceased because if her betrothal by Reuven was effective, then her betrothal by Shimon was meaningless, and vice versa.