Talmud Bavli
Talmud Bavli

Commentary for Bekhorot 38:32

אלא אמר רבא

But what is the reason why they do not perform the levirate marriage? - He thereupon replied to them: A boy minor [is not allowed to do so]. lest he be found to be a eunuch,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Impotent as regards a sexual act.');"><sup>18</sup></span> and a girl minor, lest she be discovered to be sterile<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Incapable of conception.');"><sup>19</sup></span> and thus render it a case of contact with a forbidden relation.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' A woman forbidden to marry a certain man and vice versa, owing to consanguinity.');"><sup>20</sup></span> And the Rabbis? - We go by the majority of boys in the world, and the majority of boys are not eunuchs. We go by the majority of girls [in the world], and the majority of girl minors are not sterile!<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' This proves that the Rabbis follow also a majority which is not before.');"><sup>21</sup></span> - Rather said Raba:

Explore commentary for Bekhorot 38:32. In-depth commentary and analysis from classical Jewish sources.

Previous VerseFull ChapterNext Verse