1,949. Two Brothers: One Hearing and One with Congenital Deafness

Yibum v’Chalitzah 7:19

Similar to the previous scenario, let’s say that two brothers with full faculties are married to two sisters, one of whom has full faculties and the other of whom has congenital deafness. If the husband of the woman with congenital deafness dies, she is relieved of levirate obligations because she is the sister of the surviving brother’s wife. If the husband of the woman with full faculties dies, the surviving brother must give a get to his wife, i.e., the sister with congenital deafness, and perform chalitzah to enable his brother’s widow to re-marry. Since the surviving brother has full faculties, he is able to perform chalitzah.

Yibum v’Chalitzah 7:20

Let’s say that there were two brothers, one with full faculties and one who has congenital deafness. The brother with congenital deafness was married to two women, both with full faculties, one of whom was forbidden to the brother with full faculties as a prohibited relation. If the brother with congenital deafness dies, both of his wives are relieved of levirate obligations. If the marriage of the woman forbidden as a prohibited relation is considered valid, then the other widow is also a legally valid wife and is likewise relieved of her obligation. If the marriage of the woman forbidden as a prohibited relation is not considered valid, then neither is marriage of the other wife.