Talking Talmud

The case of a female convert or a freed maidservant... With the inappropriate presumption, though possibly accurate, that prior to their change in status, they were promiscuous, or at least presumed to have been so. Which leads to a discussion of the contraception that promiscuous women would have used. Which is relevant to the discussion when the woman knows her freedom is coming to take great ca...

More on two women who marry two men, and get switched before the nisuin part.... Which leads to a broader discussion of one trying to do a mitzvah who ends up doing a sin, and the machloket on that between R. Yehoshua and R. Eliezer. In this case, mixing up babies who need circumcision, one on Shabbat. What korbanot would need to be brought? Plus, a case of terumah for the child of a kohen from a...

More on simultaneous prohibitions. How the dispute between R. Hiya and Bar Kappara seems to ride on two different teachings by R. Yehudah HaNasi, respectively. But the difficulties in understanding these passages are purportedly resolved... And then left in place. Also, a new mishnah with a strange case: multiple levels of prohibition, perhaps the most possible for a sexual relationship... But the...

If a brother did ma'amar with his brother's yibum, and then divorced that Levirate betrothed, leaves the possibility of yibum for the third brother, with the co-wife. But the woman who had ma'mar and then a get is in a complicated position. (And corresponding other cases). Plus a new mishnah, with another case (well, set if cases) - and bumping up against the claim that the mishnah isn't supposed...

When it's not clear that a couple has either gotten married or (a different couple) divorced... where witnesses are essential. Plus, the case of Bar Shtaya and his property and testimony that can't be used as determinate. Also, a new mishnah, with another yibum case - this time, where 3 brothers are married to 3 women who are not related to each other. It's a case of ma'amar, 2 husbands (brothers)...

5 mishnayot, with templates of 3 brothers, two of whom marry two sisters, and the third brother marries an unrelated woman. The cases play out the different variables and their implications for yibum and chalitzah for the remaining family members. Plus, a mishnaic comment on the 15 co-wives from the first mishnah of Yevamot.

A new mishnah - that facilitates a deeper dive into ma'amar, the Levirate betrothal. Via a case of 3 brothers, and the complications there that get in the way of yibum. Plus, the language of "kiddushin," a formal act of acquisition, and how ma'amar compares to kiddushin. Also, the undoing of vows that a husband can do for a wife.... Can a yavam do so for a shomeret yavam, a woman who awaits yibum?...

Trigger warning there is a discussion about rape in today’s daf. In today’s daf we learn who can decide what is in the canon of Mishnah and who can argue with who. How do forbidden relationships have a different standing if the connection (from mother to child) is via rape.

A case where chalitzah is expected, but the man gives a get instead -- or where there's a yibum betrothal (ma'amar). Consider the layering of procedure and requirement that clouds the question of the practice at the Torah level of requirement. Also, the case of 2 sisters who had been married to two brothers, with one brother remaining to dispatch the yibum requirement. With a focus on Rav's opinio...

Finishing chapter 2, and starting chapter 3, with a mishnah apiece. First, a case where a woman was able to leave her marriage - are any of the people involved in the case in court allowed to marry her? The answer - in sweeping terms for which there are of course exceptions - is no. Ulterior motives, and all. But with an important caveat or few. Plus, chapter 3 returns us to cases of yibum. For ex...

The daf discusses a few different scenarios where a woman is released from her marriage but someone involved with the end of her marriage may not marry her afterward.

On the mitzvah that is on the eldest of brothers to do yibum. Plus, what is the purpose of yibum?! (Finally?) What does it mean to carry on a dead brother's name? Also, when a man is suspected of having slept with a non-Jewish maidservant or a non-Jewish woman, who is then set free or converts to Judaism (respectively)... He can't marry that woman. What's the rationale and how far does it go? Incl...

A study of the divergent opinions of R. Yosi and the sages on the progeny of a non-Jewish maidservant, or of an idolatress. The child apparently inherits the status of the non-Jewish maidservant, regardless of the Jewish paternity. Which means that siblings aren't siblings, on a technical logistic level. But the non-Jewish slaves did have some connection to mitzvot, which makes the exclusionary ve...

On the status of converts, particularly with regard to the secondary forbidden relationships. Also, a mishnah: how different statuses of one's brother have impact (or don't) on issues of yibum. Plus, the implications of having a non-Jewish mother. Also, the issue of mamzerut, the progeny from illicit sexual relationships, and the impact on yibum. NOTE: The conference mentioned in the episode is on...

King Solomon and his proverbs and the way he gave "handles" to the "basket" of Yevamot (among other details of halakhah. Note also the list of the secondary forbidden relationships - in full (as much as a beraita can be). [Who's Who: R. Hisda] Plus, a Chaldean astrologer. Plus, the secondary forbidden relationship of the daughters-in-law.

A new mishnah that establishes some principles about a yevamah... which is established by means of hypothetical examples that can be head-spinning, to be sure... Including principles regarding various sources of prohibition (mitzvah, sanctity). Until the Gemara asks what this principle really adds! Which brings us back to the eilonit, and the implications of those who are connected to her. Also, t...

The kind of case we've been dealing with, but with ma'amar, not full yibum - with an entrance to probe R. Shimon's opinion further. Also, more on ma'amar - including the case of ma'amar when she doesn't know about it (does that even work? It's a machloket).

A lengthy discussion on how to understand the mishnah: R. Huna, R. Yehudah, R. Yehudah Ben Beteira, R. Meir, and Rabban Gamliel. So first, a view of each of their opinions. Also, a new mishna, tracking yibum cases of two brothers, who are each married, one dies, one does yibum, and now has two co-wives, the widow and his original wife. What happens if he dies? And a third brother was only born aft...

Concerns about those with questionable lineage, which sparks a discussion about the 10 Tribes that were exiled in the era of the prophets. Including the question of Jewish heritage in a small amount, and the question of mamzerut that might emerge from the more questionable relationships... But how likely was this really?! The question is also whether the child is one if a couple who are idolators...

The question of whether the co-wives of a daughter would be permitted to the brothers... As answered in the time of R. Dosa ben Hyrcanus, in accord with Beit Shammai (which is a startling alignment). He was elderly and rather homebound, so he wasn't available for consultation or elaboration on his psak, so eventually, a crew of rabbis make the trek to his home. And the Gemara presents what seems t...

More on Beit Shammai and Beit Hillel... Specifically, did the members of Beit Shammai actually follow the approaches of Beit Shammai. Note also the affinity of other sages for either given approach - for example, Rabbi Tarfon (and his opinion, in contrast to R. Yochanan ben Nuri). Rabban Gamliel should be following Beit Hillel... But is introduced here as a follower of Beit Shammai?! Plus, several...

More on the disputes of Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai, with the serious implications of a potential "mamzer" status for a child of a forbidden relationship (or perhaps not). That is, they disagreed, and followed their respective approaches for actual practice. What about the bat kol (heavenly voice) that said the law is in accord with Beit Hillel?

How we derive the exemption of the co-wives with regard to the yavam. Plus, a new mishnah! The 6 cases that are more stringent than the original mishnah's 15 cases. And the disputes here between Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai, and the implications of those differences of approach that come to pass, and those that do not.

More cases of yibum, of course, including that of the eylonit. Also, 3 cases where an attempt, such as it was, at contraception was recommended - including details that do align with modern science, and others that do not: a pregnant woman, a nursing woman, and a "ketanah," a status that is narrowly defined and involves further discussion.

Two complicated yibum situations, with regard to the co-wife, and whether there are other relationships that would exempt the co-wife. Say, the sotah. Or a divorcee. Note: "Sotah" in this example means a woman who inadvertently committed adultery, and not the usual definition of a woman who is suspected of having committed adultery. And divorcee here is specifically remarrying her first husband af...