Babylonian Talmud: Tractate Yebamoth

Those two which resemble one another [1] are reckoned as one, and thus [the total is] sixteen.' 'But, after all, I saw that these were written down as forbidden!' [2] The other said to him: 'Granted that this is so, would you have relied upon that list, if the cases had been written down as permitted? "Has Mar the son of Rabana signed them?" [you would have argued]. Now then that they have been written down as forbidden, [you might also argue]. "Mar the son of Rabana has not signed them".

It was taught at the School of R. Hiyya: The third generation of his son, [3] of his daughter. [4] of the son of his wife [5] or of the daughter of his wife [6] [is forbidden as incest of the] second degree; the fourth generation [7] through his father-in-law [8] or his mother-in-law [9] [is forbidden as incest of the] second degree.

Said Rabina to R. Ashi: Why is the wife included in the ascending line [10] and not included in the descending line? [11] -In the case of the ascending line, where the prohibition is due to his wife, she is included; in the descending line, where the prohibition is not due to his wife, [12] she is not included. But, surely, there is the case of the son of his wife and the daughter of his wife whose prohibition is due to his wife who is, nevertheless, not included! — As he enumerated three generations in the descending line on his side [13] and did not include her, he also enumerated three generations in the descending line on her side [14] and did not include her.

Said R. Ashi to R. Kahana: Are the second degrees of incest of the School of R. Hiyya subject to the limitation [15] or not? Come and hear what Rab said: 'Four [categories of forbidden] women are subject to a limitation', [16] but no more. But is it not possible that Rab was only referring to that Baraitha! [17]

Come and hear: 'The third' and 'the fourth', [18] which implies the third and fourth generations only but no further. But is it not possible [that this meant] from the third generation onwards [19] and from the fourth generation onwards! [19]

Raba said to R. Nahman, 'Has the Master seen the young scholar who came from the West [20] and stated: The question was raised in the West whether the second degrees of incest were forbidden as a preventive measure among proselytes or not'? — The other replied: Seeing that even in respect of actual incest, but for the fear that they might be said to have exchanged a [religion of] stricter for [one of] more easy-going sanctity, the Rabbis would not have imposed upon them any preventive measures, [21] is there any question [that they should have done so in respect of] the second degrees?

Said R. Nahman: As the subject of proselytes has come up, [22] let us say something about them: Maternal brothers may not tender evidence; [23] if, however, they did, their evidence is valid. [24] Paternal brothers may tender evidence without challenge. [25]

Amemar said: Even maternal brothers may tender evidence without challenge. And why is this case different from incest? [26] — Matters of incest lie in everybody's hands; [27] evidence is entrusted to Beth din, and [they know that] one who has become a proselyte is like a child newly born. [28]

MISHNAH. IF ONE HAS ANY KIND OF BROTHER, [29] [THAT BROTHER] IMPOSES UPON HIS BROTHER'S WIFE THE OBLIGATION OF THE LEVIRATE MARRIAGE AND IS DEEMED TO BE HIS BROTHER IN EVERY RESPECT. FROM THIS IS EXCLUDED A BROTHER BORN FROM A SLAVE OR A HEATHEN. [30]

IF ONE HAS ANY KIND OF SON, [THAT SON] EXEMPTS HIS FATHER'S WIFE FROM THE LEVIRATE MARRIAGE, IS LIABLE TO PUNISHMENT FOR STRIKING OR CURSING [HIS FATHER]. AND IS DEEMED TO BE HIS SON IN EVERY RESPECT. FROM THIS IS EXCLUDED THE SON OF A SLAVE OR A HEATHEN. [31]

GEMARA. What does the expression ANY KIND include? Rab Judah said: It includes a bastard. Is not this obvious? Surely, he is his brother! — It might have been assumed that 'brotherhood' [32] here should be deduced from 'brotherhood' in the case of the sons of Jacob; [33] as there they were all legitimate and untainted, so here also [the brothers must be] legitimate and untainted; hence we were taught [that it is not so]. [Might we still suggest that it is so?] — Since he [34] has at any rate the power to confer exemption from the levirate marriage [35]

1. Amemar's cases, both of whom are related to one through one's father (paternal grandfather's brother's wife, and paternal grandfather's sister) and both are one degree above that of actual incest.
2. While according to Amemar and R. Ashi (v. supra p. 128, n. 20) these are permitted! [The text is difficult. Read with MS.M.: But after all I saw (the list) and sixteen were written down as forbidden.]
3. I.e., his son's son's daughter, his son's daughter being forbidden as actual incest, v. Lev. XVIII, 10.
4. His daughter's son's daughter; his daughter's daughter coming under the prohibition of actual incest. Cf. n. 7.
5. Cf. note 7, mutatis mutandis.
6. Cf. note 8, mutatis mutandis.
7. From his wife.
8. His father-in-law's mother's mother who Is the fourth generation from his wife. (A father-in-law's mother comes under the prohibition of actual incest).
9. His mother-in-law's mother's mother. Cf. previous note.
10. V. previous three notes.
11. Regarding, for instance, his son's son's daughter as of the third generation and not of the fourth, as would have been the case had his wife (his son's mother) been included.
12. Since, as has been explained supra 40, Lev. XVIII, 10 refers to a son born from a woman whom he had outraged.
13. The third generation of his son or daughter born from a woman he had outraged.
14. The third generation of the son or daughter of his wife.
15. V. supra P. 125, n. 6.
16. Supra 21a.
17. Which enumerated (supra 1.c.) eight cases only of the second degrees of incest, but none of those of the School of R. Hiyya.
18. I.e., the School of R. Hiyya supra included in the second degree only the third generation in the descending, and the fourth generation in the ascending line.
19. Are forbidden in the second degree of incest; but those of the nearer generations are forbidden as actual incest.
20. Palestine.
21. Biblically, the proselyte is regarded as a newborn child and all his previous family ties are severed. It is only Rabbinically that he was subjected to the laws of incest.
22. Lit., 'to our hand'.
23. Since the family relationship in their case is a certainty, and a relative is ineligible as a witness.
24. As, Biblically, the proselyte is deemed to be a newborn child without any relatives. V. supra p. 130, n. 10.
25. Lit., 'as from the start', since in: their case no brotherly relationship is recognized, the heathens having been known to indulge in promiscuous Intercourse.
26. Which is applicable to a proselyte also. If he married, for instance, his maternal sister he must divorce her (infra 98a).
27. Marriages are not, as a rule, arranged with the aid of the Beth din, and, should a proselyte be permitted to live with his sister, some people might infer that such a marriage was permitted to an Israelite also. Hence the prohibition.
28. The Beth din who know this law would not allow a brother of an Israelite to give evidence though this would be allowed to a brother of a proselyte.
29. This is explained in the Gemara. Lit., 'from any place'.
30. Such children assume their mother's status of inferiority, and are not regarded as one's paternal brothers.
31. Cf. n. 9.
32. Brethren in the context of the levirate relationship, Deut. XXV, 5.
33. Gen. XLII, 13, twelve brethren.
34. A bastard.
35. A woman whose husband died without leaving any issue from their union may. nevertheless, be exempt from the requirements of the levirate marriage if that husband had a bastard son.

he also has the power to impose the obligation of the levirate marriage. [1]

AND IS DEEMED TO BE HIS BROTHER IN EVERY RESPECT. In respect of what, in actual practice? — That he is to be his heir and that he [2] may defile himself for him. Is not this obvious, he being his brother! — Whereas it is written, Except for his kin, that is near unto him, [3] and a Master had said that 'his kin' refers to his wife, while [on the other hand] it is written, A husband among his people shall not defile himself, to profane himself, [4] [which verses taken together mean], [5] some kind of husband may defile himself and some kind of husband may not, and how [is this to be understood]? He may defile himself for his lawful wife but may not defile himself for his unlawful wife; and so here it might have been assumed that he may defile himself for a legitimate brother but may not defile himself for an illegitimate brother; hence it was taught [that it is hot so]. Might we still suggest that it is so? In that case she is liable at any moment to be sent away, [6] but here he is his brother.

FROM THIS IS EXCLUDED A BROTHER BORN FROM A SLAVE OR A HEATHEN. What is the reason? Scripture stated, The wife and her children shall be the master's. [7]

IF ONE HAS ANY KIND OF SON, [THAT SON] EXEMPTS etc. What does ANY KIND include? — Rab Judah said: It includes a bastard. What is the reason? — Because Scripture stated, And have no [en lo] child [8] which implies 'hold an inquiry [9] concerning him.' [10]

AND IS LIABLE TO PUNISHMENT FOR STRIKING [HIM]. But why? One should apply here the Scriptural text, Nor curse a ruler of thy people. [11] only when he practices the deeds of thy people! [12] — As R. Phinehas in the name of R. Papa said [elsewhere] 'When he repented', so here also it is a case where he repented. Is such a persona however, capable of penitence? Surely we learnt: Simeon b. Menasya said, That which is crooked cannot be made straight. [13] refers to him who had intercourse with a forbidden relative and begot from her a bastard! — Now, at any rate. he is practicing 'the deeds of thy people'. [14]

Our Rabbis taught: He who has intercourse with his sister who is also the daughter of his father's wife [15] is guilty [16] on account of both his sister and his father's wife's daughter. R. Jose son of R. Judah said: He is only guilty on account of his sister but not of the daughter of his father's wife.

What is the Rabbis' reason? Observe, they would say, it is written, The nakedness of thy sister, the daughter of thy father, or the daughter of thy mother, [17] what need was there for The nakedness of thy father's wife's daughter, begotten of thy father, she is thy sister? [18] In order to intimate that he is guilty on account of both his sister and his father's wife's daughter. And R. Jose son of R. Judah? — Scripture stated, She is thy sister, [19] you can hold him guilty on account of his sister, but you cannot hold him guilty for his father's wife's daughter. And to what do the Rabbis apply the expression, 'She is thy sister'? — They require it [for the deduction] that a man is guilty on account of his sister who is the daughter of his father and the daughter of his mother, [20] thus indicating that no prohibition [21] may be deduced by logical argument. [22] And R. Jose son of R. Judah? [23] -If so, the All Merciful should have written 'thy sister', what need was there for 'she is'? To indicate that you may hold him guilty on account of 'thy sister' but you cannot hold him guilty on account of 'his father's wife's daughter'. And the Rabbis? Although 'thy sister' was written, It was also necessary to write 'she is'; in order that no one should suggest that elsewhere a prohibition may be deduced by logical argument and that the All Merciful has written here, 'thy sister [24] because Scripture takes the trouble to write down any law that may be deduced a minori ad majus; hence did the All Merciful write 'she is'. [25]

And R. Jose son of R. Judah? — If so, the All Merciful should have written [the expression], 'She is 'thy sister' in the other verse. [26]

And to what does R. Jose son of R. Judah apply the phrase Thy father's wife's daughter? [27] — He requires it for [the deduction]: Only she with whom your father can enter Into marital relationship, but a sister born from a slave or a heathen [28] is excluded, since your father cannot enter with her into marital relationship. [29]

Might it not be said to exclude a sister born from one whom his father had outraged? — You cannot say this owing to Raba's statement. For Raba pointed out a contradiction: It is written In Scripture, The nakedness of thy son's daughter, or of thy daughter's daughter, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover, [30] thus it follows that her [31] son's daughter and her daughter's daughter are permitted; but [below] it is written, Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter; [thou shalt not take] her son's daughter or her daughter's daughter. [32] How then [are these to be reconciled]? The one [33] refers to a case of outrage, [34] the other [32] to that of lawful marriage.

1. Upon the wife of any son of his father. However, since he is debarred from marrying her, he frees her by halizah, v. supra 20a.
2. Even if he is a priest. Cf. Lev. XXI, 1ff.
3. Ibid. v. 2.
4. Ibid. v. 4. The Talmudic rendering of the verse differs slightly from E.V. which render husband kgc as 'chief',
5. In order to remove the apparent contradiction.
6. The husband is not allowed to live with her. Hence she cannot be regarded as his wife.
7. Ex. XXI, 4, referring to a slave. The case of the heathen is explained infra.
8. Deut. XXV, 5. [H].
9. [H] 'examine', 'search', 'investigate'. The Aleph ([H]) of [H] is interchangeable with the 'Ayin ([H]) of [H]
10. I.e., inquire whether he has been survived by ANY KIND OF SON. Cf. B.B. 115a, Sonc. ed.. p. 474 nn. 6ff.
11. Ex. XXII. 27.
12. This father, however, who is guilty of incest did not practise the deeds of his people! Why then should his son be punished for his action against such a man?
13. Eccl. I, 15.
14. Though he cannot clear his past he may turn over a new leaf.
15. I.e., the offspring of a lawful marriage.
16. V. infra p. 201, n. 16. and Mak. 13a.
17. Lev. XVIII, 9, referring to the offspring of an intercourse, whether as a result of marriage or outrage.
18. Ibid. v. II. This, surely. is only are petition of one of the cases dealt with in v. 9.
19. Lev. XVIII, 11.
20. Who was not his father's lawful wife; in the case, for instance, when he and his sister were born from one whom their father had outraged. This case could not be deduced from Lev. XVIII, 9, since the sister born as a result of outrage,' spoken of there, is one who is the daughter of the father or of the mother, while the expression Thy father's wife's daughter refers to one born from a lawful marriage.
21. Such, e.g.. as intercourse with a sister born from the same woman whom their father had outraged.
22. If a sister who is the daughter of only one of his parents is forbidden, how much more so a sister who is the daughter of both his parents. V. Mak., Sonc. ed. pp. 18 and 26.
23. How does he meet the argument of the Rabbis?
24. Lit., 'and if you would say what need was there for "thy sister" what the All Merciful has written'.
25. Only she is, i.e., only in this case, where Scripture had explicitly stated it, is the prohibition in force; but elsewhere, where Scripture has not explicitly stated the prohibition, the inference a minori ad majus cannot bring a prohibition into force.
26. In Lev. XVIII, 9' which speaks of a sister born from a woman his father had outraged. Since, however, it was inserted in v. 11 which speaks of a sister born from a marriage it must have been meant to imply. as R. Jose said supra, that one 'is only guilty of incest with his sister but not with that of the daughter of his father's wife'.
27. Lev. XVIII, II.
28. The betrothal of either of whom is not considered valid.
29. V. Kid. 68a.
30. Lev. Xviii, 10.
31. One's wife's.
32. Lev. XVIII, 17.
33. Lit., 'here'; Lev. XVIII. 10.
34. In which case a man may not marry the daughter of his own son or the daughter of his own daughter, and may marry the daughter of the son or the daughter of the daughter whom the outraged woman had from another husband; since he himself is not her lawful husband. As in the case of one's own son and one's own daughter, though the offspring of a woman he outraged, they are legally regarded as son and daughter. so is the sisterhood and brotherhood of such children regarded as legal.