Search

Yevamot 107

Want to dedicate learning? Get started here:

English
עברית
podcast placeholder

0:00
0:00



podcast placeholder

0:00
0:00



Summary

Today’s daf is sponsored by Suri Stern in honor of her son’s, Yosef Yeshaya’s, marriage yesterday to Rivkah Cohen. “May they be zocheh to build a bayit neeman b’yisrael, a binyan adei ad.”

Beit Shamai and Beit Hillel disagree regarding mi’un (refusal) on five different issues: Can a girl only do mi’un only from engagement or also from marriage? Can she “refuse” the yabam also if her husband dies? Does it need to be done in her husband’s presence? It is necessary to do it in a court? Can she do it to several different husbands or only one? Four different explanations are brought to explain why Beit Shamai holds that one cannot do mi’un after marriage. Is it due to concern that one may think one can do a marriage upon condition? Or because one does not want to engage in intercourse when in the end it will turn out to be znut, as they will retroactively not be married if she refuses him. Or because if he knows she may refuse him, he may use up even part of the principle of her assets she brings into the marriage. Or because he will not want to marry her out of concern that all the expenses on the wedding feast will go to waste if she later refuses. According to Beit Hillel, she can also do mi’un to the yabam. Rabbi Oshaya and Ulla disagree about whether her mi’un to a yabam can undo the zika or can only undo ma’amar. The reasoning behind each approach is explained and a difficulty is raised against each but is resolved. There is a three-way debate regarding the ramifications of refusing her yabam – is she forbidden now to do yibum with him, forbidden also to all the brothers, or permitted even to him? What is the reason behind each approach? Beit Hillel brings an actual case of Pishon the camel driver, who was refused not in his presence in order to disprove Beit Shamai’s opinion. But they explain that he dealt with her inappropriately and therefore the rabbis were permitted to deal with him inappropriately and permit refusal even not in his presence. Regarding the debate about whether or not a court is required, what exactly are the different opinions? There is a debate regarding how to understand the last line in the Mishna regarding Beit Shamai’s opinion about whether she refuses once, when can she remarry and what does she need to do before she remarries.

 

Yevamot 107

בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים: אֵין מְמָאֲנִין אֶלָּא אֲרוּסוֹת, וּבֵית הִלֵּל אוֹמְרִים: אֲרוּסוֹת וּנְשׂוּאוֹת.

MISHNA: The Sages decreed that in the case of a minor girl whose father died, her mother or brothers may marry her off. However, such a marriage does not have the same legal status as the marriage of an adult. Therefore, if the minor regrets having married, she is allowed to make a declaration of refusal to her husband, thereby annulling the marital bond. The Sages disagreed with regard to the details of this halakha: Beit Shammai say: Only betrothed girls may refuse. A girl may refuse, upon reaching adulthood, to remain married to the man to whom her mother or brothers married her as a minor after the death of her father. But Beit Hillel say that both betrothed and fully married girls may refuse.

בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים: בַּבַּעַל וְלֹא בַּיָּבָם, וּבֵית הִלֵּל אוֹמְרִים: בַּבַּעַל וּבַיָּבָם.

Beit Shammai say: Refusal may be directed only at her husband and not at her yavam. In such a situation, she must perform ḥalitza in order to dissolve the levirate bond. But Beit Hillel say: It may be directed at her husband or her yavam.

בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים: בְּפָנָיו, וּבֵית הִלֵּל אוֹמְרִים: בְּפָנָיו וְשֶׁלֹּא בְּפָנָיו. בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים: בְּבֵית דִּין. וּבֵית הִלֵּל אוֹמְרִים: בְּבֵית דִּין וְשֶׁלֹּא בְּבֵית דִּין.

Beit Shammai say: The refusal must take place specifically in the presence of the husband. But Beit Hillel say: It may take place either in his presence or in his absence. Beit Shammai say: The refusal must take place specifically in court. But Beit Hillel say: It may take place either in court, or not in court.

אָמְרוּ לָהֶם בֵּית הִלֵּל לְבֵית שַׁמַּאי: מְמָאֶנֶת וְהִיא קְטַנָּה, אֲפִילּוּ אַרְבַּע וְחָמֵשׁ פְּעָמִים. אָמְרוּ לָהֶם בֵּית שַׁמַּאי: אֵין בְּנוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל הֶפְקֵר, אֶלָּא מְמָאֶנֶת וּמַמְתֶּנֶת עַד שֶׁתַּגְדִּיל, וּתְמָאֵן, וְתִנָּשֵׂא.

Beit Hillel said to Beit Shammai: She may refuse as long as she is a minor, even four or five times if her relatives married her off again to another man after each refusal. Beit Shammai said to them: The daughters of Israel are not to be treated with disregard and should not be passed from one man to another. Rather, she refuses once. And then she must wait until she reaches majority, and refuse, and marry.

גְּמָ׳ אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: מַאי טַעְמָא דְּבֵית שַׁמַּאי — לְפִי שֶׁאֵין תְּנַאי בְּנִשּׂוּאִין. וְאִי נְשׂוּאָה תְּמָאֵן, אָתֵי לְמֵימַר יֵשׁ תְּנַאי בְּנִשּׂוּאִין.

GEMARA: Rav Yehuda said that Shmuel said: What is the reason of Beit Shammai for ruling that a married minor girl may not perform refusal? It is because there are no conditions with regard to marriage. Although a betrothal can be conditional, the condition is nullified upon consummation of the marriage. Likewise, marriage cannot be conditional, as the sexual relationship is not subject to conditions. And if a married minor girl would refuse, others may mistakenly think this to be a condition with regard to the marriage of an adult woman, and they will come to say that there can be a condition with regard to marriage.

נִכְנְסָה לְחוּפָּה וְלֹא נִבְעֲלָה, מַאי אִיכָּא לְמֵימַר? לְפִי שֶׁאֵין תְּנַאי בְּחוּפָּה.

The Gemara asks: But what is there to say if she entered the marriage canopy but did not yet engage in sexual intercourse? The marriage goes into effect even though it has not yet been consummated. The Gemara replies: There are no conditions with regard to a wedding canopy, i.e., the wedding ceremony.

מָסַר הָאָב לִשְׁלוּחֵי הַבַּעַל, מַאי אִיכָּא לְמֵימַר? לָא פְּלוּג רַבָּנַן.

The Gemara asks further: But what is there to say if the father delivered his daughter to the agents of the husband to be married, so that she was considered married even before the marriage ceremony took place? The Gemara answers: The Sages did not distinguish between different circumstances, and no marriages are conditional. It follows that refusal cannot take place once a minor girl is married.

וּבֵית הִלֵּל: מִידָּע יָדְעִי דְּנִישּׂוּאֵי קְטַנָּה דְּרַבָּנַן נִינְהוּ. רַבָּה וְרַב יוֹסֵף דְּאָמְרִי תַּרְוַיְיהוּ: טַעְמָא דְּבֵית שַׁמַּאי, לְפִי שֶׁאֵין אָדָם עוֹשֶׂה בְּעִילָתוֹ בְּעִילַת זְנוּת.

And with regard to Beit Hillel, what is their reasoning? It is known that marriage of a minor girl is by rabbinic law, and therefore no one would confuse this type of marriage with an adult marriage. Rabba and Rav Yosef both say: Beit Shammai’s reason is that a man would not readily render his sexual act licentious sexual intercourse. If he had intercourse with the minor girl and the marriage was later retroactively annulled by her refusal, then his sexual act was outside the context of marriage and is regarded as licentious.

נִכְנְסָה לַחוּפָּה וְלֹא נִבְעֲלָה, מַאי אִיכָּא לְמֵימַר? לָא נִיחָא לֵיהּ דְּתִיהְוֵי חוּפָּה דְאִיסּוּרָא. מָסַר הָאָב לִשְׁלוּחֵי הַבַּעַל מַאי אִיכָּא לְמֵימַר? לָא פְּלוּג רַבָּנַן. וּבֵית הִלֵּל, כֵּיוָן דְּאִיכָּא קִדּוּשִׁין וּכְתוּבָּה — לָא אָתוּ לְמֵימַר דִּבְעִילָתוֹ בְּעִילַת זְנוּת.

The Gemara asks: What is there to say if she entered the marriage canopy but did not engage in sexual intercourse, as this reason would not apply to such a case? The Gemara answers: It would not be satisfactory for him, i.e., the husband, if his would be a forbidden marriage canopy, because if the marriage is later annulled by her refusal, he will have stood under the marriage canopy with a woman who was not permitted to him. The Gemara asks: What is there to say if the father delivered his daughter to the agents of the husband? The Gemara answers: The Sages did not distinguish between different circumstances. And how do Beit Hillel respond to Beit Shammai’s reasoning? Since there is both betrothal and a marriage contract in this case, no one will come to say that his sexual act was licentious intercourse. The primary reason Beit Shammai prohibit refusal after marriage is because it would render the sexual relationship of the marriage a licentious one. Beit Hillel do not regard sexual activity under such circumstances as licentious, so there is also no stigma attached to having stood under a wedding canopy with a girl who later refuses the marriage.

רַב פָּפָּא אָמַר: טַעְמָא דְּבֵית שַׁמַּאי מִשּׁוּם פֵּירֵי, טַעְמָא דְּבֵית הִלֵּל מִשּׁוּם פֵּירֵי. טַעְמָא דְּבֵית שַׁמַּאי מִשּׁוּם פֵּירֵי — דְּאִי אָמְרַתְּ נְשׂוּאָה תְּמָאֵן, שָׁמֵיט וְאָכֵיל לְהוּ מִינַּהּ, דְּסוֹף סוֹף לְמִיפַּק קָיְימָא. וּבֵית הִלֵּל: אַדְּרַבָּה, כֵּיוָן דְּאָמְרַתְּ תְּמָאֵן — אַשְׁבּוֹחֵי מַשְׁבַּח לְהוּ. סָבַר דְּאִי לָא, עָיְיצִי לַהּ קְרוֹבֵיהּ, וּמַפְּקִי לַהּ מִינֵּיהּ.

Rav Pappa said: The reasoning for Beit Shammai’s opinion is because of the profits from the property she brings into the marriage, and the reasoning for Beit Hillel’s opinion is also because of the profits from her property. He explains: The reasoning for Beit Shammai’s opinion is because of the profits from her property, for if you say that a married minor girl may perform refusal, then the husband of that minor might seize those profits from her and consume them, as ultimately she stands to leave him if she refuses him later. In the meantime, he will try to extract as much profit as he can. And Beit Hillel say: On the contrary: Since you say she may refuse, he will seek to improve her property. He will think: if I do not do so, her relatives will advise her to refuse him and they will take her from him.

רָבָא אָמַר: הַיְינוּ טַעְמָא דְּבֵית שַׁמַּאי — שֶׁאֵין אָדָם טוֹרֵחַ בִּסְעוּדָה וּמַפְסִידָהּ. וּבֵית הִלֵּל: תַּרְוַיְיהוּ נִיחָא לְהוּ, כְּדֵי דְּלִיפּוֹק עֲלַיְיהוּ קָלָא דְאִישׁוּת.

Rava said: This is the reasoning of Beit Shammai: A man will not bother to make a marriage feast and then lose it. If the wife is entitled to refuse him even after the marriage, the man will not be willing to marry a minor and bear the expenses of the wedding, when it is uncertain that she will stay with him. And Beit Hillel reason as follows: The marriage is convenient for both of them even if it is nullified later, so as to generate publicity about them that they are married.

בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים בַּבַּעַל וְכוּ׳. אָמַר רַבִּי אוֹשַׁעְיָא: מְמָאֶנֶת לְמַאֲמָרוֹ, וְאֵינָהּ מְמָאֶנֶת לְזִיקָּתוֹ. אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: מַאי טַעְמָא דְּרַבִּי אוֹשַׁעְיָא? מַאֲמָר, דְּמִדַּעְתַּהּ — מָצְיָא עָקְרָא. זִיקָּה, דִּבְעַל כֻּרְחַהּ — לָא מָצְיָא עָקְרָא.

§ It is taught in the mishna: Beit Shammai say: Refusal may be directed only at her husband and not her yavam. If she wishes to refuse her yavam, she must perform ḥalitza in order to dissolve the levirate bond. But Beit Hillel say that refusal may be directed at her husband or her yavam. Rabbi Oshaya said: A minor yevama may direct a refusal against a levirate betrothal but she may not direct a refusal against his levirate bond. Before the yavam betroths her, she cannot nullify the levirate bond by refusal. Rav Ḥisda said: What is the reasoning of Rabbi Oshaya? In the case of levirate betrothal, which is consensual, she can nullify it. But with regard to the levirate bond, which applies to her even against her will, she cannot nullify it.

וַהֲרֵי בִּיאָה, דִּבְעַל כֻּרְחַהּ,

The Gemara asks: But the consummation of the levirate bond may be against her will

וּמָצְיָא עָקְרָא! אֶלָּא: בִּיאָה וּמַאֲמָר, דְּהוּא קָעָבֵיד — מָצְיָא עָקְרָא. זִיקָּה, דְּרַחֲמָנָא רְמָא עֲלַהּ — לָא מָצְיָא עָקְרָא. עוּלָּא אָמַר: מְמָאֶנֶת אַף לְזִיקָּתוֹ. מַאי טַעְמָא — נִישּׂוּאֵי קַמָּאֵי קָא עָקְרָא.

and she can nullify it, as she can subsequently refuse the yavam with whom she entered into levirate marriage. Rather, the reasoning is: With regard to consummation of the levirate marriage and to levirate betrothal, both of which he performs, she can nullify them. But with regard to the levirate bond, which the Merciful One imposes upon her at the death of her first husband, she cannot nullify it. Whereas Ulla said: She may direct her refusal even to his levirate bond. What is the reason? By refusing, she nullifies the original marriage, rather than the levirate bond that resulted from the death of her husband.

אֵיתִיבֵיהּ רָבָא לְעוּלָּא: כֹּל שֶׁיְּכוֹלָה לְמָאֵן וְלֹא מֵיאֲנָה — צָרָתָהּ חוֹלֶצֶת וְלֹא מִתְיַיבֶּמֶת. וְאַמַּאי? תְּמָאֵן הַשְׁתָּא וְתִעְקְרִינְהוּ לְנִישּׂוּאֵי קַמָּאֵי, וְתִתְיַיבֵּם צָרָתָהּ! צָרַת עֶרְוָה שָׁאנֵי. דְּתָנֵי רָמֵי בַּר יְחֶזְקֵאל: מֵיאֲנָה בַּבַּעַל — מוּתֶּרֶת לְאָבִיו. בַּיָּבָם — אֲסוּרָה לְאָבִיו.

Rava raised an objection to the statement made by Ulla. It is taught in a baraita: In any case of levirate marriage in which a minor girl is forbidden to the yavam and she could perform refusal but does not perform refusal, her rival wife performs ḥalitza and may not enter into levirate marriage. Rava continues: Why? Let her perform refusal now and nullify the first marriage retroactively, so that the so-called rival wife was never really a rival wife of a forbidden relative at all, and let her rival wife enter into levirate marriage. The Gemara answers: A rival wife of a forbidden relative is different, due to a rabbinic decree, as Rami bar Yeḥezkel taught in a baraita: A minor girl who refuses her husband is permitted to his father, because the marriage was annulled and she is no longer his daughter-in-law. But one who refuses a yavam is forbidden to his father.

אַלְמָא בִּשְׁעַת נְפִילָה נִרְאֵית כְּכַלָּתוֹ, הָכָא נָמֵי בִּשְׁעַת נְפִילָה נִרְאֵית כְּצָרַת בִּתּוֹ.

Evidently, at the time when she happens before her yavam for levirate marriage she appears to be his father’s daughter-in-law. Since people would not understand that her refusal later on would annul her first marriage, the Sages decreed that the father-in-law may no longer marry her. Here, too, in a case, for example, of the rival wife of a girl who was married to her uncle, since at the time she happened before the girl’s father for levirate marriage she appears to be his daughter’s rival wife, the Sages decreed that even if the girl refuses her original marriage, the rival wife is forbidden to the girl’s father.

אָמַר רַב: מֵיאֲנָה בָּזֶה — אֲסוּרָה לָזֶה, מִידֵּי דְּהָוֵה אַבַּעֲלַת הַגֵּט. בַּעֲלַת הַגֵּט, לָאו כֵּיוָן דְּאִיתַּסְרָא לַהּ לְחַד, אִיתַּסְרָא לְהוּ לְכוּלְּהוּ — הָכָא נָמֵי לָא שְׁנָא.

§ Rav said: A minor girl who refuses this yavam who married her in levirate marriage is forbidden to that yavam, his brother, just as it is in a case concerning a yevama who has received a bill of divorce from one of her yevamin. Is it not so that since the yevama who has received a bill of divorce is forbidden to one of them, i.e., the one who gave her the divorce, she is forbidden to all of them? Here too, it is no different.

וּשְׁמוּאֵל אָמַר: מֵיאֲנָה בָּזֶה — מוּתֶּרֶת לָזֶה, וְלָא דָּמְיָא לְבַעֲלַת הַגֵּט. בַּעֲלַת הַגֵּט, הוּא דְּקָא עָבֵיד בַּהּ. הָכָא, הִיא קָעָבְדָא בֵּיהּ, דְּאָמְרָה: ״לָא רָעֵינָא בָּךְ, וְלָא צָבֵינָא בָּךְ״. בָּךְ הוּא דְּלָא רָעֵינָא, הָא בְּחַבְרָךְ רָעֵינָא.

And Shmuel said: If she refused this yavam, she is permitted to that one, and it is not comparable to a yevama who has received a bill of divorce. For in the case of the yevama who has received a bill of divorce, it is he who performed the act of giving the bill of divorce to her, and he thereby renders her forbidden to his brothers as well. Here, she is performing an act on him, as she says: I do not desire you and I do not want you, indicating: It is you whom I do not desire, but I may desire your fellow.

רַב אַסִּי אָמַר: מֵיאֲנָה בָּזֶה — מוּתֶּרֶת אֲפִילּוּ לוֹ. לֵימָא כְּרַבִּי אוֹשַׁעְיָא סְבִירָא לֵיהּ, דְּאָמַר: אֵינָהּ מְמָאֶנֶת לְזִיקָּתוֹ. בְּחַד יָבָם הָכִי נָמֵי דְּמָצְיָא עָקְרָא. הָכָא, בִּשְׁנֵי יְבָמִין עֲסִיקִינַן, דְּאֵין מֵיאוּן לַחֲצִי זִיקָּה.

Rav Asi said: If she refuses this yavam she is permitted even to him if she changes her mind. The Gemara asks: Shall we say that he holds in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Oshaya, who said: She cannot refuse his levirate bond, and since the bond still exists and is not dissolved by her refusal, she is consequently permitted to engage in sexual relations with him to consummate it. The Gemara rejects this: Rav Asi’s opinion is consistent with that of Ulla, that refusal of a levirate bond is effective. In the case of one yavam who had no additional brothers, she can indeed nullify the levirate bond. However, here, we are dealing with two yevamin, and there cannot be refusal of half a levirate bond. Since she refuses only one yavam, her status as a yevama remains intact, the levirate bond remains intact, and she is permitted to consummate the levirate bond even with the one she initially refused.

כִּי אֲתָא רָבִין, אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: מֵיאֲנָה בָּזֶה — מוּתֶּרֶת לָאַחִין, וְלֹא הוֹדוּ לוֹ. מַאן לֹא הוֹדוּ לוֹ? אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: רַב. רָבָא אָמַר: רַבִּי אוֹשַׁעְיָא. וְאָמְרִי לַהּ רַב אַסִּי.

The Gemara relates: When Ravin came from Eretz Yisrael he said that Rabbi Yoḥanan said: A minor girl who refuses this yavam is permitted to the brothers, and they did not agree with him. The Gemara asks: Who did not agree with him? Abaye said: It was Rav, as Rav claims that she is forbidden to the brothers. Rava said: It was Rabbi Oshaya, who claims that refusal cannot nullify the levirate bond. And some say: It was Rav Asi who did not agree with him, since according to Rav Asi she is permitted to marry even the brother she refused.

בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים: בְּפָנָיו וְכוּ׳. תַּנְיָא, אָמְרוּ לָהֶן בֵּית הִלֵּל לְבֵית שַׁמַּאי: וַהֲלֹא פִּישׁוֹן הַגַּמָּל מֵיאֲנָה אִשְׁתּוֹ שֶׁלֹּא בְּפָנָיו! אָמְרוּ לָהֶן בֵּית שַׁמַּאי לְבֵית הִלֵּל: פִּישׁוֹן הַגַּמָּל בְּמִדָּה כְּפוּשָׁה מָדַד, לְפִיכָךְ מָדְדוּ לוֹ בְּמִדָּה כְּפוּשָׁה.

§ It is taught in the mishna: Beit Shammai say: The refusal must take place specifically in the presence of the husband, but Beit Hillel say: Either in his presence or in his absence. It is taught in a baraita: Beit Hillel said to Beit Shammai: But didn’t the wife of Pishon the camel driver refuse him in his absence? Beit Shammai said to Beit Hillel: Pishon the camel driver measured using a defective standard, as he did not properly take care of the property she brought into the marriage, and therefore the Sages measured him with a defective standard [midda kefusha]. The marriage in that case was annulled by the Sages and the refusal was not treated as a standard refusal.

מִדְּקָא אָכֵיל פֵּירֵי, פְּשִׁיטָא נְשׂוּאָה הִיא. וְהָאָמְרִי בֵּית שַׁמַּאי נְשׂוּאָה לָא מְמָאֲנָה! תְּרֵי קִיטְרֵי עֲבַדוּ בֵּיהּ.

The Gemara asks: Since he was consuming the profits from her property, it is obvious that it is speaking of a case where she was married, as a man is not entitled to the profits of the property of his betrothed. But didn’t Beit Shammai say that a married minor girl cannot perform refusal? The Gemara answers in accordance with Beit Shammai’s opinion: They tied him in two knots, i.e., the Sages punished Pishon in two ways: They permitted the refusal against him to take place in his absence, and they permitted it even though she was already married to him.

בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים: בִּפְנֵי בֵּית דִּין וְכוּ׳. תְּנַן הָתָם: הַחֲלִיצָה וְהַמֵּיאוּנִין בִּשְׁלֹשָׁה. מַאן תַּנָּא? אָמַר רַבָּה: בֵּית שַׁמַּאי הִיא. אַבָּיֵי אָמַר: אֲפִילּוּ תֵּימָא בֵּית הִלֵּל, עַד כָּאן לָא קָאָמְרִי בֵּית הִלֵּל אֶלָּא דְּלָא בָּעֵינַן מוּמְחִין, אֲבָל שְׁלֹשָׁה בָּעֵינַן.

§ It was taught: Beit Shammai say: The refusal must take place specifically before a court, but Beit Hillel say: It may take place either before a court, or not before a court. We learned in a mishna elsewhere (Sanhedrin 2a): Ḥalitza and refusals take place in the presence of three judges. The Gemara asks: Who is the tanna who taught this? Rabba said: It is Beit Shammai who say that refusal must take place specifically before a court. Abaye said: You can even say that it is Beit Hillel. Beit Hillel state only that we do not require expert judges for a refusal, but we do require three upright people, who constitute a court of laymen.

כִּדְתַנְיָא, בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים: בִּפְנֵי בֵּית דִּין, וּבֵית הִלֵּל אוֹמְרִים: בִּפְנֵי בֵּית דִּין וְשֶׁלֹּא בִּפְנֵי בֵּית דִּין. וְאֵלּוּ וְאֵלּוּ מוֹדִים שֶׁצָּרִיךְ שְׁלֹשָׁה. רַבִּי יוֹסֵי בַּר יְהוּדָה וְרַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן מַכְשִׁירִין בִּשְׁנַיִם. אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף בַּר מִנְיוֹמֵי אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן: הֲלָכָה כְּאוֹתוֹ הַזּוּג.

As it is taught in a baraita: Beit Shammai say: Before a court, and Beit Hillel say: Either before a court or not before a court, but both this school and that school concede that three people are required. Rabbi Yosei bar Yehuda and Rabbi Elazar, son of Rabbi Shimon, validate a refusal in the presence of two. Rav Yosef bar Manyumi said that Rav Naḥman said: The halakha is in accordance with that pair.

בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים: תְּמָאֵן וְכוּ׳. וְהָא מֵיאֲנָה חֲדָא זִימְנָא! אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: עַד שֶׁתַּגְדִּיל וְתֹאמַר: ״רוֹצָה אֲנִי בַּמֵּיאוּנִים הָרִאשׁוֹנִים״.

§ The mishna states that Beit Shammai say: She refuses once. And then she must wait until she reaches majority, and refuse, and marry. The Gemara asks: Didn’t she already refuse once? Why must she refuse again? Shmuel said: Beit Shammai’s statement means: The refusal does not take effect until she reaches majority and says: I wish to uphold my initial refusal, in case she changed her mind in the interim.

עוּלָּא אָמַר, תַּרְתֵּי קָתָנֵי: אוֹ שֶׁתְּמָאֵן וְתַגְדִּיל וְתֵיאָרֵס, אוֹ שֶׁתְּמָאֵן וְתִנָּשֵׂא לְאַלְתַּר.

Ulla said: Two different possibilities are taught in Beit Shammai’s statement: Either she should refuse, and then once she has matured she should become betrothed; or she should refuse and marry immediately. She should not refuse and then only become betrothed again. According to Beit Shammai, as a minor, she may not refuse again.

בִּשְׁלָמָא עוּלָּא, הַיְינוּ דְּקָתָנֵי ״עַד שֶׁתַּגְדִּיל וְתִנָּשֵׂא״. אֶלָּא לִשְׁמוּאֵל ״עַד שֶׁתַּגְדִּיל וְתֹאמַר״ מִיבְּעֵי לֵיהּ! קַשְׁיָא.

The Gemara challenges this: Granted, the explanation of Ulla is consistent with that which is taught: Until she reaches majority and marries. That is: Until she reaches majority, or until she marries. But according to the explanation of Shmuel, the mishna should have said: Until she reaches majority and says that she wishes to uphold the refusal. The Gemara comments: This phrase is difficult according to his explanation.

מַתְנִי׳ אֵי זוֹ הִיא קְטַנָּה שֶׁצְּרִיכָה לְמָאֵן — כֹּל שֶׁהִשִּׂיאוּהָ אִמָּהּ וְאַחֶיהָ לְדַעְתָּהּ. הִשִּׂיאוּהָ שֶׁלֹּא לְדַעְתָּהּ — אֵינָהּ צְרִיכָה לְמָאֵן. רַבִּי חֲנִינָא בֶּן אַנְטִיגְנוֹס אוֹמֵר: כׇּל תִּינוֹקֶת שֶׁאֵינָהּ יְכוֹלָה לִשְׁמוֹר קִידּוּשֶׁיהָ — אֵינָהּ צְרִיכָה לְמָאֵן.

MISHNA: Who is a minor girl who needs to perform refusal in order to annul her marriage? Any minor whose mother or brother married her off with her consent. If they married her off without her consent, she need not refuse her husband at all and may leave her husband without a declaration of refusal. Rabbi Ḥanina ben Antigonus says: Any girl who is so young that she cannot keep her betrothal, i.e., the money or document of betrothal, safe does not need to refuse, as the Sages instituted marriage only for a girl old enough to understand what she is doing.

רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר אוֹמֵר: אֵין מַעֲשֵׂה קְטַנָּה כְּלוּם, אֶלָּא כִּמְפוּתָּה. בַּת יִשְׂרָאֵל לְכֹהֵן — לֹא תֹּאכַל בִּתְרוּמָה, בַּת כֹּהֵן לְיִשְׂרָאֵל — תֹּאכַל בִּתְרוּמָה.

Rabbi Elazar says: The act of a minor girl is nothing, so that if a minor girl’s mother or brothers marry her off, the marriage is essentially invalid. Rather, her status is as though she were a seduced unmarried woman. Therefore, a minor daughter of a non-priest married to a priest may not eat teruma, and the minor daughter of a priest married to an Israelite may eat teruma.

רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בֶּן יַעֲקֹב אוֹמֵר: כׇּל עַכָּבָה שֶׁהִיא מִן הָאִישׁ — כְּאִילּוּ הִיא אִשְׁתּוֹ. כׇּל עַכָּבָה שֶׁאֵינָהּ מִן הָאִישׁ — כְּאִילּוּ אֵינָהּ אִשְׁתּוֹ.

Rabbi Eliezer ben Ya’akov says otherwise: If there is any obstruction in the matter due to the man, it is as if she were his wife. If there is any obstruction in the matter that is not due to the man, it is as if she were not his wife. This statement will be explained in the Gemara.

גְּמָ׳ אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה, וְאָמְרִי לַהּ בְּמַתְנִיתָא תָּנָא: בָּרִאשׁוֹנָה הָיוּ כּוֹתְבִין גֵּט מֵיאוּן: ״לָא רָעֵינָא בֵּיהּ וְלָא צָבֵינָא בֵּיהּ וְלֵית אֲנָא בָּעֲיָא לְהִתְנַסְבָא לֵיהּ״. כֵּיוָן דַּחֲזוֹ דִּנְפִישׁ דִּיבּוּרָא, אָמְרִי:

GEMARA: Rav Yehuda said, and some say it was taught in a baraita: At first, they would write a bill of refusal in this manner: I do not desire him, I do not want him, and I do not wish to be married to him. Once they saw that the text was too long, the Sages said:

Delve Deeper

Broaden your understanding of the topics on this daf with classes and podcasts from top women Talmud scholars.

For the Beyond the Daf shiurim offered in Hebrew, see here.

New to Talmud?

Check out our resources designed to help you navigate a page of Talmud – and study at the pace, level and style that fits you. 

The Hadran Women’s Tapestry

Meet the diverse women learning Gemara at Hadran and hear their stories. 

A friend mentioned that she was starting Daf Yomi in January 2020. I had heard of it and thought, why not? I decided to try it – go day by day and not think about the seven plus year commitment. Fast forward today, over two years in and I can’t imagine my life without Daf Yomi. It’s part of my morning ritual. If I have a busy day ahead of me I set my alarm to get up early to finish the day’s daf
Debbie Fitzerman
Debbie Fitzerman

Ontario, Canada

I have joined the community of daf yomi learners at the start of this cycle. I have studied in different ways – by reading the page, translating the page, attending a local shiur and listening to Rabbanit Farber’s podcasts, depending on circumstances and where I was at the time. The reactions have been positive throughout – with no exception!

Silke Goldberg
Silke Goldberg

Guildford, United Kingdom

I learned Mishnayot more than twenty years ago and started with Gemara much later in life. Although I never managed to learn Daf Yomi consistently, I am learning since some years Gemara in depth and with much joy. Since last year I am studying at the International Halakha Scholars Program at the WIHL. I often listen to Rabbanit Farbers Gemara shiurim to understand better a specific sugyiah. I am grateful for the help and inspiration!

Shoshana Ruerup
Shoshana Ruerup

Berlin, Germany

I started Daf during the pandemic. I listened to a number of podcasts by various Rebbeim until one day, I discovered Rabbanit Farbers podcast. Subsequently I joined the Hadran family in Eruvin. Not the easiest place to begin, Rabbanit Farber made it all understandable and fun. The online live group has bonded together and have really become a supportive, encouraging family.

Leah Goldford
Leah Goldford

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

I graduated college in December 2019 and received a set of shas as a present from my husband. With my long time dream of learning daf yomi, I had no idea that a new cycle was beginning just one month later, in January 2020. I have been learning the daf ever since with Michelle Farber… Through grad school, my first job, my first baby, and all the other incredible journeys over the past few years!
Sigal Spitzer Flamholz
Sigal Spitzer Flamholz

Bronx, United States

When we heard that R. Michelle was starting daf yomi, my 11-year-old suggested that I go. Little did she know that she would lose me every morning from then on. I remember standing at the Farbers’ door, almost too shy to enter. After that first class, I said that I would come the next day but couldn’t commit to more. A decade later, I still look forward to learning from R. Michelle every morning.

Ruth Leah Kahan
Ruth Leah Kahan

Ra’anana, Israel

I began my Daf Yomi journey on January 5, 2020. I had never learned Talmud before. Initially it struck me as a bunch of inane and arcane details with mind bending logic. I am now smitten. Rabbanit Farber brings the page to life and I am eager to learn with her every day!

Lori Stark
Lori Stark

Highland Park, United States

I started to listen to Michelle’s podcasts four years ago. The minute I started I was hooked. I’m so excited to learn the entire Talmud, and think I will continue always. I chose the quote “while a woman is engaged in conversation she also holds the spindle”. (Megillah 14b). It reminds me of all of the amazing women I learn with every day who multi-task, think ahead and accomplish so much.

Julie Mendelsohn
Julie Mendelsohn

Zichron Yakov, Israel

Inspired by Hadran’s first Siyum ha Shas L’Nashim two years ago, I began daf yomi right after for the next cycle. As to this extraordinary journey together with Hadran..as TS Eliot wrote “We must not cease from exploration and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we began and to know the place for the first time.

Susan Handelman
Susan Handelman

Jerusalem, Israel

My curiosity was peaked after seeing posts about the end of the last cycle. I am always looking for opportunities to increase my Jewish literacy & I am someone that is drawn to habit and consistency. Dinnertime includes a “Guess what I learned on the daf” segment for my husband and 18 year old twins. I also love the feelings of connection with my colleagues who are also learning.

Diana Bloom
Diana Bloom

Tampa, United States

Hearing and reading about the siyumim at the completion of the 13 th cycle Daf Yomi asked our shul rabbi about starting the Daf – he directed me to another shiur in town he thought would allow a woman to join, and so I did! Love seeing the sources for the Divrei Torah I’ve been hearing for the past decades of living an observant life and raising 5 children .

Jill Felder
Jill Felder

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

I began my Daf Yomi journey on January 5, 2020. I had never learned Talmud before. Initially it struck me as a bunch of inane and arcane details with mind bending logic. I am now smitten. Rabbanit Farber brings the page to life and I am eager to learn with her every day!

Lori Stark
Lori Stark

Highland Park, United States

Attending the Siyyum in Jerusalem 26 months ago inspired me to become part of this community of learners. So many aspects of Jewish life have been illuminated by what we have learned in Seder Moed. My day is not complete without daf Yomi. I am so grateful to Rabbanit Michelle and the Hadran Community.

Nancy Kolodny
Nancy Kolodny

Newton, United States

I started the daf at the beginning of this cycle in January 2020. My husband, my children, grandchildren and siblings have been very supportive. As someone who learned and taught Tanach and mefarshim for many years, it has been an amazing adventure to complete the six sedarim of Mishnah, and now to study Talmud on a daily basis along with Rabbanit Michelle and the wonderful women of Hadran.

Rookie Billet
Rookie Billet

Jerusalem, Israel

I have joined the community of daf yomi learners at the start of this cycle. I have studied in different ways – by reading the page, translating the page, attending a local shiur and listening to Rabbanit Farber’s podcasts, depending on circumstances and where I was at the time. The reactions have been positive throughout – with no exception!

Silke Goldberg
Silke Goldberg

Guildford, United Kingdom

I started learning Talmud with R’ Haramati in Yeshivah of Flatbush. But after a respite of 60 years, Rabbanit Michelle lit my fire – after attending the last three world siyumim in Miami Beach, Meadowlands and Boca Raton, and now that I’m retired, I decided – “I can do this!” It has been an incredible journey so far, and I look forward to learning Daf everyday – Mazal Tov to everyone!

Roslyn Jaffe
Roslyn Jaffe

Florida, United States

Inspired by Hadran’s first Siyum ha Shas L’Nashim two years ago, I began daf yomi right after for the next cycle. As to this extraordinary journey together with Hadran..as TS Eliot wrote “We must not cease from exploration and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we began and to know the place for the first time.

Susan Handelman
Susan Handelman

Jerusalem, Israel

I had no formal learning in Talmud until I began my studies in the Joint Program where in 1976 I was one of the few, if not the only, woman talmud major. It was superior training for law school and enabled me to approach my legal studies with a foundation . In 2018, I began daf yomi listening to Rabbanit MIchelle’s pod cast and my daily talmud studies are one of the highlights of my life.

Krivosha_Terri_Bio
Terri Krivosha

Minneapolis, United States

I read Ilana Kurshan’s “If All the Seas Were Ink” which inspired me. Then the Women’s Siyum in Jerusalem in 2020 convinced me, I knew I had to join! I have loved it- it’s been a constant in my life daily, many of the sugiyot connect to our lives. My family and friends all are so supportive. It’s incredible being part of this community and love how diverse it is! I am so excited to learn more!

Shira Jacobowitz
Shira Jacobowitz

Jerusalem, Israel

After being so inspired by the siyum shas two years ago, I began tentatively learning daf yomi, like Rabbanut Michelle kept saying – taking one daf at a time. I’m still taking it one daf at a time, one masechet at a time, but I’m loving it and am still so inspired by Rabbanit Michelle and the Hadran community, and yes – I am proud to be finishing Seder Mo’ed.

Caroline Graham-Ofstein
Caroline Graham-Ofstein

Bet Shemesh, Israel

Yevamot 107

בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים: אֵין מְמָאֲנִין אֶלָּא אֲרוּסוֹת, וּבֵית הִלֵּל אוֹמְרִים: אֲרוּסוֹת וּנְשׂוּאוֹת.

MISHNA: The Sages decreed that in the case of a minor girl whose father died, her mother or brothers may marry her off. However, such a marriage does not have the same legal status as the marriage of an adult. Therefore, if the minor regrets having married, she is allowed to make a declaration of refusal to her husband, thereby annulling the marital bond. The Sages disagreed with regard to the details of this halakha: Beit Shammai say: Only betrothed girls may refuse. A girl may refuse, upon reaching adulthood, to remain married to the man to whom her mother or brothers married her as a minor after the death of her father. But Beit Hillel say that both betrothed and fully married girls may refuse.

בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים: בַּבַּעַל וְלֹא בַּיָּבָם, וּבֵית הִלֵּל אוֹמְרִים: בַּבַּעַל וּבַיָּבָם.

Beit Shammai say: Refusal may be directed only at her husband and not at her yavam. In such a situation, she must perform ḥalitza in order to dissolve the levirate bond. But Beit Hillel say: It may be directed at her husband or her yavam.

בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים: בְּפָנָיו, וּבֵית הִלֵּל אוֹמְרִים: בְּפָנָיו וְשֶׁלֹּא בְּפָנָיו. בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים: בְּבֵית דִּין. וּבֵית הִלֵּל אוֹמְרִים: בְּבֵית דִּין וְשֶׁלֹּא בְּבֵית דִּין.

Beit Shammai say: The refusal must take place specifically in the presence of the husband. But Beit Hillel say: It may take place either in his presence or in his absence. Beit Shammai say: The refusal must take place specifically in court. But Beit Hillel say: It may take place either in court, or not in court.

אָמְרוּ לָהֶם בֵּית הִלֵּל לְבֵית שַׁמַּאי: מְמָאֶנֶת וְהִיא קְטַנָּה, אֲפִילּוּ אַרְבַּע וְחָמֵשׁ פְּעָמִים. אָמְרוּ לָהֶם בֵּית שַׁמַּאי: אֵין בְּנוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל הֶפְקֵר, אֶלָּא מְמָאֶנֶת וּמַמְתֶּנֶת עַד שֶׁתַּגְדִּיל, וּתְמָאֵן, וְתִנָּשֵׂא.

Beit Hillel said to Beit Shammai: She may refuse as long as she is a minor, even four or five times if her relatives married her off again to another man after each refusal. Beit Shammai said to them: The daughters of Israel are not to be treated with disregard and should not be passed from one man to another. Rather, she refuses once. And then she must wait until she reaches majority, and refuse, and marry.

גְּמָ׳ אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: מַאי טַעְמָא דְּבֵית שַׁמַּאי — לְפִי שֶׁאֵין תְּנַאי בְּנִשּׂוּאִין. וְאִי נְשׂוּאָה תְּמָאֵן, אָתֵי לְמֵימַר יֵשׁ תְּנַאי בְּנִשּׂוּאִין.

GEMARA: Rav Yehuda said that Shmuel said: What is the reason of Beit Shammai for ruling that a married minor girl may not perform refusal? It is because there are no conditions with regard to marriage. Although a betrothal can be conditional, the condition is nullified upon consummation of the marriage. Likewise, marriage cannot be conditional, as the sexual relationship is not subject to conditions. And if a married minor girl would refuse, others may mistakenly think this to be a condition with regard to the marriage of an adult woman, and they will come to say that there can be a condition with regard to marriage.

נִכְנְסָה לְחוּפָּה וְלֹא נִבְעֲלָה, מַאי אִיכָּא לְמֵימַר? לְפִי שֶׁאֵין תְּנַאי בְּחוּפָּה.

The Gemara asks: But what is there to say if she entered the marriage canopy but did not yet engage in sexual intercourse? The marriage goes into effect even though it has not yet been consummated. The Gemara replies: There are no conditions with regard to a wedding canopy, i.e., the wedding ceremony.

מָסַר הָאָב לִשְׁלוּחֵי הַבַּעַל, מַאי אִיכָּא לְמֵימַר? לָא פְּלוּג רַבָּנַן.

The Gemara asks further: But what is there to say if the father delivered his daughter to the agents of the husband to be married, so that she was considered married even before the marriage ceremony took place? The Gemara answers: The Sages did not distinguish between different circumstances, and no marriages are conditional. It follows that refusal cannot take place once a minor girl is married.

וּבֵית הִלֵּל: מִידָּע יָדְעִי דְּנִישּׂוּאֵי קְטַנָּה דְּרַבָּנַן נִינְהוּ. רַבָּה וְרַב יוֹסֵף דְּאָמְרִי תַּרְוַיְיהוּ: טַעְמָא דְּבֵית שַׁמַּאי, לְפִי שֶׁאֵין אָדָם עוֹשֶׂה בְּעִילָתוֹ בְּעִילַת זְנוּת.

And with regard to Beit Hillel, what is their reasoning? It is known that marriage of a minor girl is by rabbinic law, and therefore no one would confuse this type of marriage with an adult marriage. Rabba and Rav Yosef both say: Beit Shammai’s reason is that a man would not readily render his sexual act licentious sexual intercourse. If he had intercourse with the minor girl and the marriage was later retroactively annulled by her refusal, then his sexual act was outside the context of marriage and is regarded as licentious.

נִכְנְסָה לַחוּפָּה וְלֹא נִבְעֲלָה, מַאי אִיכָּא לְמֵימַר? לָא נִיחָא לֵיהּ דְּתִיהְוֵי חוּפָּה דְאִיסּוּרָא. מָסַר הָאָב לִשְׁלוּחֵי הַבַּעַל מַאי אִיכָּא לְמֵימַר? לָא פְּלוּג רַבָּנַן. וּבֵית הִלֵּל, כֵּיוָן דְּאִיכָּא קִדּוּשִׁין וּכְתוּבָּה — לָא אָתוּ לְמֵימַר דִּבְעִילָתוֹ בְּעִילַת זְנוּת.

The Gemara asks: What is there to say if she entered the marriage canopy but did not engage in sexual intercourse, as this reason would not apply to such a case? The Gemara answers: It would not be satisfactory for him, i.e., the husband, if his would be a forbidden marriage canopy, because if the marriage is later annulled by her refusal, he will have stood under the marriage canopy with a woman who was not permitted to him. The Gemara asks: What is there to say if the father delivered his daughter to the agents of the husband? The Gemara answers: The Sages did not distinguish between different circumstances. And how do Beit Hillel respond to Beit Shammai’s reasoning? Since there is both betrothal and a marriage contract in this case, no one will come to say that his sexual act was licentious intercourse. The primary reason Beit Shammai prohibit refusal after marriage is because it would render the sexual relationship of the marriage a licentious one. Beit Hillel do not regard sexual activity under such circumstances as licentious, so there is also no stigma attached to having stood under a wedding canopy with a girl who later refuses the marriage.

רַב פָּפָּא אָמַר: טַעְמָא דְּבֵית שַׁמַּאי מִשּׁוּם פֵּירֵי, טַעְמָא דְּבֵית הִלֵּל מִשּׁוּם פֵּירֵי. טַעְמָא דְּבֵית שַׁמַּאי מִשּׁוּם פֵּירֵי — דְּאִי אָמְרַתְּ נְשׂוּאָה תְּמָאֵן, שָׁמֵיט וְאָכֵיל לְהוּ מִינַּהּ, דְּסוֹף סוֹף לְמִיפַּק קָיְימָא. וּבֵית הִלֵּל: אַדְּרַבָּה, כֵּיוָן דְּאָמְרַתְּ תְּמָאֵן — אַשְׁבּוֹחֵי מַשְׁבַּח לְהוּ. סָבַר דְּאִי לָא, עָיְיצִי לַהּ קְרוֹבֵיהּ, וּמַפְּקִי לַהּ מִינֵּיהּ.

Rav Pappa said: The reasoning for Beit Shammai’s opinion is because of the profits from the property she brings into the marriage, and the reasoning for Beit Hillel’s opinion is also because of the profits from her property. He explains: The reasoning for Beit Shammai’s opinion is because of the profits from her property, for if you say that a married minor girl may perform refusal, then the husband of that minor might seize those profits from her and consume them, as ultimately she stands to leave him if she refuses him later. In the meantime, he will try to extract as much profit as he can. And Beit Hillel say: On the contrary: Since you say she may refuse, he will seek to improve her property. He will think: if I do not do so, her relatives will advise her to refuse him and they will take her from him.

רָבָא אָמַר: הַיְינוּ טַעְמָא דְּבֵית שַׁמַּאי — שֶׁאֵין אָדָם טוֹרֵחַ בִּסְעוּדָה וּמַפְסִידָהּ. וּבֵית הִלֵּל: תַּרְוַיְיהוּ נִיחָא לְהוּ, כְּדֵי דְּלִיפּוֹק עֲלַיְיהוּ קָלָא דְאִישׁוּת.

Rava said: This is the reasoning of Beit Shammai: A man will not bother to make a marriage feast and then lose it. If the wife is entitled to refuse him even after the marriage, the man will not be willing to marry a minor and bear the expenses of the wedding, when it is uncertain that she will stay with him. And Beit Hillel reason as follows: The marriage is convenient for both of them even if it is nullified later, so as to generate publicity about them that they are married.

בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים בַּבַּעַל וְכוּ׳. אָמַר רַבִּי אוֹשַׁעְיָא: מְמָאֶנֶת לְמַאֲמָרוֹ, וְאֵינָהּ מְמָאֶנֶת לְזִיקָּתוֹ. אָמַר רַב חִסְדָּא: מַאי טַעְמָא דְּרַבִּי אוֹשַׁעְיָא? מַאֲמָר, דְּמִדַּעְתַּהּ — מָצְיָא עָקְרָא. זִיקָּה, דִּבְעַל כֻּרְחַהּ — לָא מָצְיָא עָקְרָא.

§ It is taught in the mishna: Beit Shammai say: Refusal may be directed only at her husband and not her yavam. If she wishes to refuse her yavam, she must perform ḥalitza in order to dissolve the levirate bond. But Beit Hillel say that refusal may be directed at her husband or her yavam. Rabbi Oshaya said: A minor yevama may direct a refusal against a levirate betrothal but she may not direct a refusal against his levirate bond. Before the yavam betroths her, she cannot nullify the levirate bond by refusal. Rav Ḥisda said: What is the reasoning of Rabbi Oshaya? In the case of levirate betrothal, which is consensual, she can nullify it. But with regard to the levirate bond, which applies to her even against her will, she cannot nullify it.

וַהֲרֵי בִּיאָה, דִּבְעַל כֻּרְחַהּ,

The Gemara asks: But the consummation of the levirate bond may be against her will

וּמָצְיָא עָקְרָא! אֶלָּא: בִּיאָה וּמַאֲמָר, דְּהוּא קָעָבֵיד — מָצְיָא עָקְרָא. זִיקָּה, דְּרַחֲמָנָא רְמָא עֲלַהּ — לָא מָצְיָא עָקְרָא. עוּלָּא אָמַר: מְמָאֶנֶת אַף לְזִיקָּתוֹ. מַאי טַעְמָא — נִישּׂוּאֵי קַמָּאֵי קָא עָקְרָא.

and she can nullify it, as she can subsequently refuse the yavam with whom she entered into levirate marriage. Rather, the reasoning is: With regard to consummation of the levirate marriage and to levirate betrothal, both of which he performs, she can nullify them. But with regard to the levirate bond, which the Merciful One imposes upon her at the death of her first husband, she cannot nullify it. Whereas Ulla said: She may direct her refusal even to his levirate bond. What is the reason? By refusing, she nullifies the original marriage, rather than the levirate bond that resulted from the death of her husband.

אֵיתִיבֵיהּ רָבָא לְעוּלָּא: כֹּל שֶׁיְּכוֹלָה לְמָאֵן וְלֹא מֵיאֲנָה — צָרָתָהּ חוֹלֶצֶת וְלֹא מִתְיַיבֶּמֶת. וְאַמַּאי? תְּמָאֵן הַשְׁתָּא וְתִעְקְרִינְהוּ לְנִישּׂוּאֵי קַמָּאֵי, וְתִתְיַיבֵּם צָרָתָהּ! צָרַת עֶרְוָה שָׁאנֵי. דְּתָנֵי רָמֵי בַּר יְחֶזְקֵאל: מֵיאֲנָה בַּבַּעַל — מוּתֶּרֶת לְאָבִיו. בַּיָּבָם — אֲסוּרָה לְאָבִיו.

Rava raised an objection to the statement made by Ulla. It is taught in a baraita: In any case of levirate marriage in which a minor girl is forbidden to the yavam and she could perform refusal but does not perform refusal, her rival wife performs ḥalitza and may not enter into levirate marriage. Rava continues: Why? Let her perform refusal now and nullify the first marriage retroactively, so that the so-called rival wife was never really a rival wife of a forbidden relative at all, and let her rival wife enter into levirate marriage. The Gemara answers: A rival wife of a forbidden relative is different, due to a rabbinic decree, as Rami bar Yeḥezkel taught in a baraita: A minor girl who refuses her husband is permitted to his father, because the marriage was annulled and she is no longer his daughter-in-law. But one who refuses a yavam is forbidden to his father.

אַלְמָא בִּשְׁעַת נְפִילָה נִרְאֵית כְּכַלָּתוֹ, הָכָא נָמֵי בִּשְׁעַת נְפִילָה נִרְאֵית כְּצָרַת בִּתּוֹ.

Evidently, at the time when she happens before her yavam for levirate marriage she appears to be his father’s daughter-in-law. Since people would not understand that her refusal later on would annul her first marriage, the Sages decreed that the father-in-law may no longer marry her. Here, too, in a case, for example, of the rival wife of a girl who was married to her uncle, since at the time she happened before the girl’s father for levirate marriage she appears to be his daughter’s rival wife, the Sages decreed that even if the girl refuses her original marriage, the rival wife is forbidden to the girl’s father.

אָמַר רַב: מֵיאֲנָה בָּזֶה — אֲסוּרָה לָזֶה, מִידֵּי דְּהָוֵה אַבַּעֲלַת הַגֵּט. בַּעֲלַת הַגֵּט, לָאו כֵּיוָן דְּאִיתַּסְרָא לַהּ לְחַד, אִיתַּסְרָא לְהוּ לְכוּלְּהוּ — הָכָא נָמֵי לָא שְׁנָא.

§ Rav said: A minor girl who refuses this yavam who married her in levirate marriage is forbidden to that yavam, his brother, just as it is in a case concerning a yevama who has received a bill of divorce from one of her yevamin. Is it not so that since the yevama who has received a bill of divorce is forbidden to one of them, i.e., the one who gave her the divorce, she is forbidden to all of them? Here too, it is no different.

וּשְׁמוּאֵל אָמַר: מֵיאֲנָה בָּזֶה — מוּתֶּרֶת לָזֶה, וְלָא דָּמְיָא לְבַעֲלַת הַגֵּט. בַּעֲלַת הַגֵּט, הוּא דְּקָא עָבֵיד בַּהּ. הָכָא, הִיא קָעָבְדָא בֵּיהּ, דְּאָמְרָה: ״לָא רָעֵינָא בָּךְ, וְלָא צָבֵינָא בָּךְ״. בָּךְ הוּא דְּלָא רָעֵינָא, הָא בְּחַבְרָךְ רָעֵינָא.

And Shmuel said: If she refused this yavam, she is permitted to that one, and it is not comparable to a yevama who has received a bill of divorce. For in the case of the yevama who has received a bill of divorce, it is he who performed the act of giving the bill of divorce to her, and he thereby renders her forbidden to his brothers as well. Here, she is performing an act on him, as she says: I do not desire you and I do not want you, indicating: It is you whom I do not desire, but I may desire your fellow.

רַב אַסִּי אָמַר: מֵיאֲנָה בָּזֶה — מוּתֶּרֶת אֲפִילּוּ לוֹ. לֵימָא כְּרַבִּי אוֹשַׁעְיָא סְבִירָא לֵיהּ, דְּאָמַר: אֵינָהּ מְמָאֶנֶת לְזִיקָּתוֹ. בְּחַד יָבָם הָכִי נָמֵי דְּמָצְיָא עָקְרָא. הָכָא, בִּשְׁנֵי יְבָמִין עֲסִיקִינַן, דְּאֵין מֵיאוּן לַחֲצִי זִיקָּה.

Rav Asi said: If she refuses this yavam she is permitted even to him if she changes her mind. The Gemara asks: Shall we say that he holds in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Oshaya, who said: She cannot refuse his levirate bond, and since the bond still exists and is not dissolved by her refusal, she is consequently permitted to engage in sexual relations with him to consummate it. The Gemara rejects this: Rav Asi’s opinion is consistent with that of Ulla, that refusal of a levirate bond is effective. In the case of one yavam who had no additional brothers, she can indeed nullify the levirate bond. However, here, we are dealing with two yevamin, and there cannot be refusal of half a levirate bond. Since she refuses only one yavam, her status as a yevama remains intact, the levirate bond remains intact, and she is permitted to consummate the levirate bond even with the one she initially refused.

כִּי אֲתָא רָבִין, אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: מֵיאֲנָה בָּזֶה — מוּתֶּרֶת לָאַחִין, וְלֹא הוֹדוּ לוֹ. מַאן לֹא הוֹדוּ לוֹ? אָמַר אַבָּיֵי: רַב. רָבָא אָמַר: רַבִּי אוֹשַׁעְיָא. וְאָמְרִי לַהּ רַב אַסִּי.

The Gemara relates: When Ravin came from Eretz Yisrael he said that Rabbi Yoḥanan said: A minor girl who refuses this yavam is permitted to the brothers, and they did not agree with him. The Gemara asks: Who did not agree with him? Abaye said: It was Rav, as Rav claims that she is forbidden to the brothers. Rava said: It was Rabbi Oshaya, who claims that refusal cannot nullify the levirate bond. And some say: It was Rav Asi who did not agree with him, since according to Rav Asi she is permitted to marry even the brother she refused.

בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים: בְּפָנָיו וְכוּ׳. תַּנְיָא, אָמְרוּ לָהֶן בֵּית הִלֵּל לְבֵית שַׁמַּאי: וַהֲלֹא פִּישׁוֹן הַגַּמָּל מֵיאֲנָה אִשְׁתּוֹ שֶׁלֹּא בְּפָנָיו! אָמְרוּ לָהֶן בֵּית שַׁמַּאי לְבֵית הִלֵּל: פִּישׁוֹן הַגַּמָּל בְּמִדָּה כְּפוּשָׁה מָדַד, לְפִיכָךְ מָדְדוּ לוֹ בְּמִדָּה כְּפוּשָׁה.

§ It is taught in the mishna: Beit Shammai say: The refusal must take place specifically in the presence of the husband, but Beit Hillel say: Either in his presence or in his absence. It is taught in a baraita: Beit Hillel said to Beit Shammai: But didn’t the wife of Pishon the camel driver refuse him in his absence? Beit Shammai said to Beit Hillel: Pishon the camel driver measured using a defective standard, as he did not properly take care of the property she brought into the marriage, and therefore the Sages measured him with a defective standard [midda kefusha]. The marriage in that case was annulled by the Sages and the refusal was not treated as a standard refusal.

מִדְּקָא אָכֵיל פֵּירֵי, פְּשִׁיטָא נְשׂוּאָה הִיא. וְהָאָמְרִי בֵּית שַׁמַּאי נְשׂוּאָה לָא מְמָאֲנָה! תְּרֵי קִיטְרֵי עֲבַדוּ בֵּיהּ.

The Gemara asks: Since he was consuming the profits from her property, it is obvious that it is speaking of a case where she was married, as a man is not entitled to the profits of the property of his betrothed. But didn’t Beit Shammai say that a married minor girl cannot perform refusal? The Gemara answers in accordance with Beit Shammai’s opinion: They tied him in two knots, i.e., the Sages punished Pishon in two ways: They permitted the refusal against him to take place in his absence, and they permitted it even though she was already married to him.

בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים: בִּפְנֵי בֵּית דִּין וְכוּ׳. תְּנַן הָתָם: הַחֲלִיצָה וְהַמֵּיאוּנִין בִּשְׁלֹשָׁה. מַאן תַּנָּא? אָמַר רַבָּה: בֵּית שַׁמַּאי הִיא. אַבָּיֵי אָמַר: אֲפִילּוּ תֵּימָא בֵּית הִלֵּל, עַד כָּאן לָא קָאָמְרִי בֵּית הִלֵּל אֶלָּא דְּלָא בָּעֵינַן מוּמְחִין, אֲבָל שְׁלֹשָׁה בָּעֵינַן.

§ It was taught: Beit Shammai say: The refusal must take place specifically before a court, but Beit Hillel say: It may take place either before a court, or not before a court. We learned in a mishna elsewhere (Sanhedrin 2a): Ḥalitza and refusals take place in the presence of three judges. The Gemara asks: Who is the tanna who taught this? Rabba said: It is Beit Shammai who say that refusal must take place specifically before a court. Abaye said: You can even say that it is Beit Hillel. Beit Hillel state only that we do not require expert judges for a refusal, but we do require three upright people, who constitute a court of laymen.

כִּדְתַנְיָא, בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים: בִּפְנֵי בֵּית דִּין, וּבֵית הִלֵּל אוֹמְרִים: בִּפְנֵי בֵּית דִּין וְשֶׁלֹּא בִּפְנֵי בֵּית דִּין. וְאֵלּוּ וְאֵלּוּ מוֹדִים שֶׁצָּרִיךְ שְׁלֹשָׁה. רַבִּי יוֹסֵי בַּר יְהוּדָה וְרַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן מַכְשִׁירִין בִּשְׁנַיִם. אָמַר רַב יוֹסֵף בַּר מִנְיוֹמֵי אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן: הֲלָכָה כְּאוֹתוֹ הַזּוּג.

As it is taught in a baraita: Beit Shammai say: Before a court, and Beit Hillel say: Either before a court or not before a court, but both this school and that school concede that three people are required. Rabbi Yosei bar Yehuda and Rabbi Elazar, son of Rabbi Shimon, validate a refusal in the presence of two. Rav Yosef bar Manyumi said that Rav Naḥman said: The halakha is in accordance with that pair.

בֵּית שַׁמַּאי אוֹמְרִים: תְּמָאֵן וְכוּ׳. וְהָא מֵיאֲנָה חֲדָא זִימְנָא! אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵל: עַד שֶׁתַּגְדִּיל וְתֹאמַר: ״רוֹצָה אֲנִי בַּמֵּיאוּנִים הָרִאשׁוֹנִים״.

§ The mishna states that Beit Shammai say: She refuses once. And then she must wait until she reaches majority, and refuse, and marry. The Gemara asks: Didn’t she already refuse once? Why must she refuse again? Shmuel said: Beit Shammai’s statement means: The refusal does not take effect until she reaches majority and says: I wish to uphold my initial refusal, in case she changed her mind in the interim.

עוּלָּא אָמַר, תַּרְתֵּי קָתָנֵי: אוֹ שֶׁתְּמָאֵן וְתַגְדִּיל וְתֵיאָרֵס, אוֹ שֶׁתְּמָאֵן וְתִנָּשֵׂא לְאַלְתַּר.

Ulla said: Two different possibilities are taught in Beit Shammai’s statement: Either she should refuse, and then once she has matured she should become betrothed; or she should refuse and marry immediately. She should not refuse and then only become betrothed again. According to Beit Shammai, as a minor, she may not refuse again.

בִּשְׁלָמָא עוּלָּא, הַיְינוּ דְּקָתָנֵי ״עַד שֶׁתַּגְדִּיל וְתִנָּשֵׂא״. אֶלָּא לִשְׁמוּאֵל ״עַד שֶׁתַּגְדִּיל וְתֹאמַר״ מִיבְּעֵי לֵיהּ! קַשְׁיָא.

The Gemara challenges this: Granted, the explanation of Ulla is consistent with that which is taught: Until she reaches majority and marries. That is: Until she reaches majority, or until she marries. But according to the explanation of Shmuel, the mishna should have said: Until she reaches majority and says that she wishes to uphold the refusal. The Gemara comments: This phrase is difficult according to his explanation.

מַתְנִי׳ אֵי זוֹ הִיא קְטַנָּה שֶׁצְּרִיכָה לְמָאֵן — כֹּל שֶׁהִשִּׂיאוּהָ אִמָּהּ וְאַחֶיהָ לְדַעְתָּהּ. הִשִּׂיאוּהָ שֶׁלֹּא לְדַעְתָּהּ — אֵינָהּ צְרִיכָה לְמָאֵן. רַבִּי חֲנִינָא בֶּן אַנְטִיגְנוֹס אוֹמֵר: כׇּל תִּינוֹקֶת שֶׁאֵינָהּ יְכוֹלָה לִשְׁמוֹר קִידּוּשֶׁיהָ — אֵינָהּ צְרִיכָה לְמָאֵן.

MISHNA: Who is a minor girl who needs to perform refusal in order to annul her marriage? Any minor whose mother or brother married her off with her consent. If they married her off without her consent, she need not refuse her husband at all and may leave her husband without a declaration of refusal. Rabbi Ḥanina ben Antigonus says: Any girl who is so young that she cannot keep her betrothal, i.e., the money or document of betrothal, safe does not need to refuse, as the Sages instituted marriage only for a girl old enough to understand what she is doing.

רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר אוֹמֵר: אֵין מַעֲשֵׂה קְטַנָּה כְּלוּם, אֶלָּא כִּמְפוּתָּה. בַּת יִשְׂרָאֵל לְכֹהֵן — לֹא תֹּאכַל בִּתְרוּמָה, בַּת כֹּהֵן לְיִשְׂרָאֵל — תֹּאכַל בִּתְרוּמָה.

Rabbi Elazar says: The act of a minor girl is nothing, so that if a minor girl’s mother or brothers marry her off, the marriage is essentially invalid. Rather, her status is as though she were a seduced unmarried woman. Therefore, a minor daughter of a non-priest married to a priest may not eat teruma, and the minor daughter of a priest married to an Israelite may eat teruma.

רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בֶּן יַעֲקֹב אוֹמֵר: כׇּל עַכָּבָה שֶׁהִיא מִן הָאִישׁ — כְּאִילּוּ הִיא אִשְׁתּוֹ. כׇּל עַכָּבָה שֶׁאֵינָהּ מִן הָאִישׁ — כְּאִילּוּ אֵינָהּ אִשְׁתּוֹ.

Rabbi Eliezer ben Ya’akov says otherwise: If there is any obstruction in the matter due to the man, it is as if she were his wife. If there is any obstruction in the matter that is not due to the man, it is as if she were not his wife. This statement will be explained in the Gemara.

גְּמָ׳ אָמַר רַב יְהוּדָה, וְאָמְרִי לַהּ בְּמַתְנִיתָא תָּנָא: בָּרִאשׁוֹנָה הָיוּ כּוֹתְבִין גֵּט מֵיאוּן: ״לָא רָעֵינָא בֵּיהּ וְלָא צָבֵינָא בֵּיהּ וְלֵית אֲנָא בָּעֲיָא לְהִתְנַסְבָא לֵיהּ״. כֵּיוָן דַּחֲזוֹ דִּנְפִישׁ דִּיבּוּרָא, אָמְרִי:

GEMARA: Rav Yehuda said, and some say it was taught in a baraita: At first, they would write a bill of refusal in this manner: I do not desire him, I do not want him, and I do not wish to be married to him. Once they saw that the text was too long, the Sages said:

Want to follow content and continue where you left off?

Create an account today to track your progress, mark what you’ve learned, and follow the shiurim that speak to you.

Clear all items from this list?

This will remove ALL the items in this section. You will lose any progress or history connected to them. This is irreversible.

Cancel
Yes, clear all

Are you sure you want to delete this item?

You will lose any progress or history connected to this item.

Cancel
Yes, delete