The First Born: Privileges of in Case of Death the Next Brother to Raise up Seed To

When brothers dwell together and one of them dies without a son, the widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband’s brother is to take her as his wife and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law for her.

The first son she bears will carry on the name of the dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel.

“Teacher,” they said, “Moses declared that if a man dies without having children, his brother is to marry the widow and raise up offspring for him. …