Amud (a) looks at a Mishna about the basics: when is yibum a mitzvah, and when are we breaking Torah law by performing yibum? Much of the commentary looks at the timing of yibum. The rabbis want to ensure that yibum is permitted in each case.
Amud (b) looks at a Mishna about when yibum occurs. All yevamot must wait three months following their husbands' deaths before performing chalitza or consummating the yibum. This is said to ensure that there are no questions of lineage should the yevama be pregnant. However, minor girls who are not physically able to become pregnant are also separated for those three months, and so there is a sweeping generality to this particular halacha.
The rabbis debate about who should support the yevama during those three months. Ultimately, her support will come from her deceased husband's estate or from her own dowry. An interesting side note tells us that some rabbis wish to ensure that she is supported financially while others see her as being "penalized by Heaven."
It is astonishing to see the rabbis create laws that leave women in precarious situations and then blame them for their circumstances. Clearly the rabbis believe that they are accurately interpreting the will of G-d. How could anyone truly believe that they have that degree of closeness with G-d? And then have the audacity to deny their own power and tell women that their misery has been caused by G-d?
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