For the source text click/tap here: Yevamot 51
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The fifth perek of Masechet Yevamot focuses on one main topic – the relationship between the various responses that the surviving brother (the yavam) can perform with the widow (the yevamah). There are four possible responses, two of them taught by the Torah and two suggested by the Sages of the Mishnah:
bi’ah (sexual relations), which would complete the process of yibum, so that the two would now be married
chalitzah, the ceremonial rejection of yibum, which would free the widow to marry anyone she wants
ma’amar, in which case the yavam offers a ring (or another object of value) to the yevamah, mimicking a marriage ceremony. In such a case they have fulfilled yibum on a Rabbinic level
get (a divorce document), which would preclude the possibility of fulfilling yibum. Even though on a biblical level a get has no meaning in this relationship, the Sages treat the divorce as having enough power to force the yavam and yevamah to choose the option of chalitzah.
We use this opportunity to study the redaction of the Mishnah through the eye of Moshe Klein , Yaakov Elman and graham Walfish.