Yevamos 2b

יבמות ב׳ ע״ב

Yevamot 2b

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Topic

The end of the first משנה in יבמות (how עריות exempt their צרות, and the limits of that rule) and the גמרא's question about the order of the list

Overview

This amud finishes the first משנה of יבמות and begins the גמרא. The משנה completes its list of fifteen עריות and rules that each one frees her צרה, and even the צרה's צרה, from both יבום and חליצה forever. It limits this rule: if the ערוה died, did מיאון, was divorced, or turned out to be an איילונית before the brother died, her co-wives are permitted. It also notes that איילונית and מיאון cannot apply to the women who are forbidden because they are mothers, such as a mother-in-law. The משנה then gives worked examples of how the exemption passes from co-wife to co-wife, even through a hundred brothers, and of when it never starts at all. It adds a middle case: if the ערוה could have done מיאון but did not, her co-wife does חליצה but not יבום. The גמרא then asks why the list does not start with אחות אשה, the source case. It suggests the list is ordered by severity, following רבי שמעון, but rejects that idea. It concludes that בתו comes first because her איסור is learned from a דרשה and is dear to the תנא.

Opening lines

The steps (13)

1. StatementThe last two women on the list
2. StatementThese women free their co-wives forever
3. StatementWhen the co-wives are not exempt
4. StatementTwo exceptions that cannot apply to some women
5. StatementHow a forbidden relative exempts her co-wife, and her co-wife's co-wife
6. StatementThe chain continues without limit
7. StatementWhen the forbidden relative left the marriage first, her co-wife is permitted
8. StatementIf she could have refused but did not, her co-wife does חליצה but not יבום
9. ChallengeWhy isn't a wife's sister listed first?
10. ResolutionSuggested answer: the list goes by severity, following רבי שמעון
11. RejectionThen the mother-in-law should come first
12. RejectionAnd the daughter-in-law should come right after
13. ResolutionNew answer: the daughter is listed first because her case is dear