Yevamot II 79: Three Jewish Traits; Infertility and Chalitza

The rabbis continue to explore stories of King David, King Solomon and King Saul to understand more about inclusion.  Specifically, the wish to understand whether or not the Gibeonites are truly meant to be excluded from the congregation for eternity.  They learn that Joshua's decree of exclusion was interpreted in two ways: in the times of the Temple, the Gibeonites are excluded.  In the times of the Talmud - until now - we are lenient.  

One quote from King David was new to me and quite significant.  He used three verses to describe traits of the Jewish people.  They are merciful, shamefaced, and kind.  If a person is converting to Judaism, they must embody these characteristics.  A note suggests that rabbis reinterpreted this idea.  They do not believe that Jews embody these traits.  Instead, they suggest that G-d gave those gifts to us to do with what we will.  The subtle difference between these two descriptions of Jewish traits is quite fascinating.  Are we different innately?  Did G-d bestow these differences upon us?  Do these traits occur independent of our relationships with G-d, or with our religion?

Amud (b) introduces another Mishna, this one more obviously connected to discussions about yibum.  The rabbis are unclear about the implications of chalitza for the yevama of a eunuch or the yavam of an aylonit.  A eunuch is a male who is infertile either due to natural causes or due to an accident.  An aylonit is a woman who is sexually undeveloped and cannot have children.  

In this Mishna, the rabbis question the words and the meaning of a baraita.  Did it say that a eunuch performs chalitza with his yevama; his brothers perform chalitza with his wife? Or did it say that the eunuch and his brother do not do these things?  Would the baraita make more sense considering whether or not he had ever been fertile?  Or whether or not he can be cured?  And an alylonit cannot perform chalitza nor enter into leverage marriage.  Both the aylonit and the eunuch can enter/marry into the priesthood after chalitza.  However, neither can enter/marry into the priesthood if they have had intercourse.

The Gemara examines cases that might help the rabbis understand the application of the unclear baraita.  Their cases involve situations where yibum may or may not be a viable option for the family in question.