Yevamot II 122: Increasing Peace in the World

Our last daf of Yevamot introduces further leniencies.  The rabbis allow women to remarry based on testimony that their husbands have died from various witnesses: women, Gentiles (if speaking offhandedly), individuals, those who saw the deceased person in the moonlight or in the dark, those who have heard of the death, etc.  Even rival wives and others who may have a stake in whether or not the widow remarries are allowed to testify.

One of the more interesting arguments against these leniencies is based on a principal introduced by Rabbi Chanina.  He say that by Torah law, monitory law and capital law both require inquiry and interrogation.  His proof for this fact is found in Leviticus 24:22, which states that "You shall have one law".  However, the Gemara argues against this point.  It cites other circumstances where there are exceptions or differences to this rule.  One is about lending and borrowing: monetary law does not require this investigation for fear of discouraging those with money from lending it away.   Another argument remands us that a married woman is allowed to marry anyone in the world based on this testimony.  If her husband were still alive, she would be committing the capital offence of adultery.  

At the very end of the daf, the rabbis wish to bring us to a place of positivity. So much of what we have been learning is grounded in a mistrust of people; the desire of people to deceive or purposefully transgress halacha.  We are told that Rabbi Elazar said that Rabbi Chanina said: Torah scholars increase peace in the world, as it is stated: "And all your children shall be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children" (Isiah 54:13).

Thus all of these halachot, all of these debates are intended to bring people together: the yavam and the yevama, the widow and her new husband, the rival wife and her husband as well.  As they study, Torah scholars are expected to share their wisdom with the world.  Ultimately, understanding Torah wisdom will increase peace in the world.

And who isn't up for more peace in the world?