Commentary for Yevamot 5:9

וליתני אסורה לחלוץ מאי קעביד אלמה לא אם אתה אומר חולצת מתייבמת

— If 'prohibit' had been used it might have been assumed that the levirate marriage only was forbidden but that <i>halizah</i><span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' V. Glos. ');">²²</span> must nevertheless be performed,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Since a prohibition could not very well apply to halizah which is a harmless act, the expression of 'prohibit' in respect of halizah would have been interpreted as a 'prohibition to be married to anyone before halizah had been performed'. ');">²³</span> hence it was taught<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' By the use of the expression, 'exempt'. ');">²⁴</span>

Explore commentary for Yevamot 5:9. In-depth commentary and analysis from classical Jewish sources.