יום א Date: 9 Cheshvan, 5774 (11/2/14) – Yevamos#29 {Eliezer}

“OY!” to Him

[29a middle] Mishna: Beis Hillel: Two brothers (A & B) marry 2 sisters (1 & 2 respectively). Then, the first brother (A) passes away (without children), and their third brother (C) performs Ma’amar [Rabbinical first step of Yebum (marriage to his deceased brother’s wife)] (to 1) right before his other brother (B) passes away. Now, the remaining brother (C) must release his Ma’amar wife (1) with a Get (bill of divorce) and with Chalitza (breaking of Yebum) and his other brother’s wife (2) as well with Chalitza. This is what was said about the man in this case, “Woe (Oy) unto him because of his wife and woe unto him because of his brother’s wife.”
R’ Rosner: It is “Woe unto him,” because he (C) did nothing wrong in this case and is taken away from two possible marriages.

D-E-ep Thoughts: We must always be sympathetic to other people’s situations in life. Firstly, it helps other people get through hard times when they have friends who can be supportive and understanding. Secondly, Hashem is always sending us messages through everything and everyone we encounter. The fact that we may have heard, seen, or learned about a specific example, is for a reason. We are tasked with the constant requirement of bettering ourselves and should use every opportunity to work on our character traits and improve our beings.