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Genesis 38:8 - Brother's duty: marry or refuse?

Genesis 38:8 - בראשית 38:8

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוּדָה לְאוֹנָן בֹּא אֶל־אֵשֶׁת אָחִיךָ וְיַבֵּם אֹתָהּ וְהָקֵם זֶרַע לְאָחִיךָ׃

English Translation

And Yehuda said to Onan, Go in to thy brother’s wife, and perform the duty of a brother in law, and raise up seed to thy brother.

Transliteration

Vayomer Yehuda le'Onan bo el-eshet achicha veyabem otah vehakem zera le'achicha.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוּדָה֙ לְאוֹנָ֔ן בֹּ֛א אֶל־אֵ֥שֶׁת אָחִ֖יךָ וְיַבֵּ֣ם אֹתָ֑הּ וְהָקֵ֥ם זֶ֖רַע לְאָחִֽיךָ׃
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוּדָה֙ לְאוֹנָ֔ן בֹּ֛א אֶל־אֵ֥שֶׁת אָחִ֖יךָ וְיַבֵּ֣ם אֹתָ֑הּ וְהָקֵ֥ם זֶ֖רַע לְאָחִֽיךָ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Mitzvah of Yibum (Levirate Marriage)

The verse describes Yehuda instructing his son Onan to fulfill the obligation of yibum (levirate marriage) with Tamar, the widow of his deceased brother Er. This mitzvah is later codified in the Torah (Devarim 25:5-6) and requires a brother to marry his childless brother's widow to perpetuate the deceased brother's name and lineage.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (on Bereishit 38:8) explains that Yehuda was acting in accordance with the divine will, as this mitzvah was already known to the patriarchs even before it was formally given at Har Sinai. He notes that Yehuda understood the importance of building the family line, as this was part of the covenant with Avraham regarding his descendants.

Onan's Sin

The Talmud (Yevamot 34b) discusses how Onan's refusal to properly fulfill this mitzvah (by practicing coitus interruptus) was considered a grave sin. The Rambam (Hilchos Yibum 1:1) explains that the primary purpose of yibum is to establish offspring in the deceased brother's name, and any act that frustrates this purpose violates the mitzvah.

Spiritual Significance

  • The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 85:5) teaches that this episode demonstrates how the actions of the patriarchs foreshadowed future Torah laws.
  • The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 598) explains that yibum reflects the profound connection between brothers and the importance of continuing a family legacy in Israel.
  • The Kli Yakar emphasizes that this mitzvah maintains the spiritual connection between the deceased and the living through the continuation of his line.

Halachic Dimensions

The Shulchan Aruch (Even HaEzer 165) details the complex halachos surrounding yibum, including when it applies and when chalitza (the alternative ceremony of release) is preferable. The Rema notes that in his time, the custom was generally to perform chalitza rather than yibum.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Yevamot 34b
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws of levirate marriage (yibbum), where the obligation of a brother to marry his deceased brother's wife is analyzed.
📖 Sanhedrin 58b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the prohibition of Onan's act (onanism) and its implications for marital relations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the meaning of 'yibbum' (levirate marriage) in Genesis 38:8?
A: Yibbum is the mitzvah (commandment) where a man marries his deceased brother's childless widow to continue his brother's lineage. This is based on Deuteronomy 25:5-6. In Genesis 38:8, Yehuda instructs Onan to fulfill this duty for his late brother Er. The Talmud (Yevamot 24a) discusses the laws and purpose of yibbum.
Q: Why did Yehuda tell Onan to marry Tamar?
A: Yehuda instructed Onan to marry Tamar because his older brother Er (Tamar's first husband) died without children. According to Torah law (Deuteronomy 25:5-6) and Jewish tradition, it was Onan's responsibility to perform yibbum (levirate marriage) to preserve his brother's name and lineage. Rashi explains that this was the proper course of action in such situations.
Q: What can we learn from Onan's actions after this verse?
A: Onan disobeyed by refusing to properly fulfill the mitzvah of yibbum (as described in the next verses). The Talmud (Yevamot 34b) and Rambam (Hilchos Yibbum 1:1) teach that this was wrong because he selfishly avoided his responsibility to continue his brother's lineage. This teaches us the importance of fulfilling our obligations to family and community.
Q: Does yibbum still apply today?
A: While the Torah commandment of yibbum still exists, the Rabbis established that today we perform chalitzah (a ceremony releasing the brother from this obligation) instead. This is discussed in the Talmud (Bechoros 13a) and codified by Rambam (Hilchos Yibbum 1:2). The change was made due to concerns that some might not have proper intentions when performing yibbum.
Q: Why is this story about Yehuda and Tamar important?
A: This narrative is important because it shows the origins of the Davidic dynasty (as Peretz, ancestor of David, is later born from this union). The Midrash (Genesis Rabbah 85:4) explains how these events were part of Hashem's plan for Jewish history. It also teaches about repentance, as Yehuda later admits his mistakes (Genesis 38:26).