Yevamot 24

Chapter 24

א הלכתא צרת אילונית מותרת ואפי' הכיר בה ואפילו צרת בתו אילונית

1 The law is that the rival of a woman incapable of procreation is permitted, even though he1 knew her     defect,2 and even the rival of one's own daughter who was incapable of procreation [is permitted].<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The rival of a forbidden relative is forbidden only where the latter would have been subject to the precept of the levirate marriage if she had been no relative. In the case of a wife incapable of procreation, however, since she is not subject to the levirate marriage even where she is no relative at all, her rival even where she (the wife) is a forbidden relative, is regarded as the rival of one in relation to whom the precept of levirate marriage is not applicable at all. Cf. [H] quoted by Rashi. ');">3 But what about the expression WERE FOUND4

ב ואלא הא דקתני שנמצאו תני שהיו כי אתא רבין אמר ר' יוחנן אחת צרת ממאנת ואחת צרת אילונית ואחת צרת מחזיר גרושתו כולן מותרות

2 in our Mishnah? — Read, 'were'. When Rabin came5 he stated in the name of R. Johanan: The rival of a mema'eneth,6 the rival of a woman incapable of procreation, as well as the rival of a divorced woman who had been remarried to her former husband,7

ג תני רב ביבי קמיה דרב נחמן שלש נשים משמשות במוך קטנה מעוברת ומניקה קטנה שמא תתעבר ושמא תמות מעוברת שמא תעשה עוברה סנדל מניקה שמא תגמול בנה וימות

3 are all permitted. R. Bebai recited before R. Nahman: Three [categories of] women may8 use an absorbent9 in their marital intercourse:10

ד ואיזו היא קטנה מבת י"א שנה ויום אחד עד י"ב שנה ויום אחד פחות מכאן ויתר על כן משמשת כדרכה והולכת דברי ר"מ וחכ"א אחת זו ואחת זו משמשת כדרכה והולכת ומן השמים ירחמו משום שנאמר (תהלים קטז, ו) שומר פתאים ה'

4 A minor, a pregnant woman and a nursing woman. The minor,11 because [otherwise] she might12 become pregnant, and as a result13 might die. A pregnant woman,11

ה מדקאמר שמא תתעבר ושמא תמות מכלל דאיכא קטנה דמיעברא ולא מתה א"כ מצינו חמותו ממאנת

5 because [otherwise]. she might12 cause her foetus to degenerate into a sandal.13 A nursing woman,11 because [otherwise] she might12

ו ותנן אי אתה יכול לומר בחמותו ואם חמותו ואם חמיו שנמצאו אילונית או שמיאנו אימא שמא תתעבר ותמות

6 have to wean her child prematurely14 and this would result in his death. And what is the age of such a minor?15 From the age of eleven years and one day until the age of twelve years and one day. One who is under,16 or over this age17

ז דאמר רבה בר ליואי גבול יש לה קודם הזמן הזה אינה מתעברת כל עיקר תוך הזמן הזה היא מתה ועוברה מת לאחר זמן הזה היא חיה ועוברה חי

7 must carry on her marital intercourse in the usual manner. This is the opinion of R. Meir. The Sages, however, say: The one as well as the other carries on her marital intercourse in the usual manner, and mercy will be vouchsafed from heaven,18 for it is said in the Scriptures The Lord preserveth the simple.19 Since it has been stated, 'because she might become pregnant and as a result might die' it may be implied that it is possible for20 a minor to be pregnant and not die. But, if so, one could imagine a case where21

ח איני והא תני רבה בר שמואל אי אתה יכול לומר בחמותו ואם חמותו ואם חמיו שנמצאו אילונית או שמיאנו שכבר ילדו אלא לעולם שמא תתעבר ושמא תמות ואלא קשיא הך

8 a mother-in-law should be in a position to make a declaration of refusal,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' In the case, for instance, where the minor gave birth to a child in her twelfth year and that child was betrothed before the year was over. The minor who thus becomes a mother-in-law is entitled to make a declaration of refusal before, and until she enters her thirteenth year. ');">22 whereas we learned, ONE CANNOT SAY OF A MAN'S MOTHER-IN-LAW, THE MOTHER OF HIS MOTHER-IN-LAW AND THE MOTHER OF HIS FATHER-IN-LAW THAT THEY WERE FOUND INCAPABLE OF PROCREATION OR THAT THEY MADE A DECLARATION OF REFUSAL! — Read, 'because she might become pregnant and die';23 for Rabbah b. Liwai said: She24 is subject to an age limitation. Prior to that period25

ט אמר רב ספרא בנים הרי הם כסימנים ואית דאמרי בנים עדיפי מסימנים למאי נפקא מינה דאפילו לרבי יהודה דאמר עד שירבה השחור בבנים מודה

9 she does not conceive at all; during that period25 she dies and her embryo dies; after that period25 both she and her embryo survive. But is it really so? Surely, Rabbah b. Samuel recited: One cannot say of a man's mother-in-law, the mother of his mother-in-law and the mother of his father-in-law that they were found incapable of procreation or that they made a declaration of refusal, since they have already given birth to children!26 — But [the reading], in fact, is, 'because she might become pregnant and as a result might die'. But, [then, the previously mentioned] difficulty remains!27 — R. Safra replied: Children are like marks of puberty.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' As soon, therefore, as she gave birth to a child the minor is assumed to have passed out of the age of minority into that of puberty. Hence it is impossible for a mother, whatever her age, ever to make a declaration of refusal to which a minor only is entitled. ');">28 Others Say: Children are     more conclusive proof than the marks of puberty. What practical difference is there between the two statements? — [It is this: That] even he who follows R. Judah who stated, '[a girl may exercise the right of refusal] until the black29 predominates'<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The growth of two hairs which the Rabbis regard as a definite mark of puberty not being considered by R. Judah as conclusive proof. Keth. 36a, B.B. 156a, Nid. 52a. ');">30 admits in the case of children.31

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