*Laws # 128-130 ~ BOOK FOUR: THE BOOK OF WOMEN (Laws of Yivum and Chalitzah-Brother-in-Law "Levirate" Marriage)

Law #128 To do yibum (marry childless brother's widow)

Deut. 25:5 "If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of a husband's brother unto her."

According to the Law, if a man dies, and his brother resides with him, it is his brother's responsibility to marry his wife if she is without child and take on the duties of his dead brother.  The first born son takes on the name of the dead brother, and is the continuation of the dead brother’s lineage.  The purpose of this Law is to preserve the name of the deceased man, to keep inheritance distinct and keep the family name and property. 

Law #129 To do chalitzah (freeing a widow from yibum)

Deut. 25:9 “ Then shall his brother’s wife come unto him in the presence of the elders and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, So shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother’s house.”

An alternative to yibum, this Law tells of what happens when the man refuses to marry his deceased brother’s wife who is without child.  He is shamed before his brethren with the act of her spitting on him.

Law #130 The widow must not remarry until the ties with her brother in law are removed

Deut. 25:5 "If brethren dwell together and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of a husband's brother unto her."

The command is for the widow not to remarry until the ties with her brother-in-law are removed.  This is according to the standard already set forth in Law #126 regarding divorce.  Before that widow moves on to marry another, all ties to her brother-in-law must be resolved.