Keith Mack
Marrying the sibling of an in-law is a complex topic that involves cultural, social, and legal considerations. In-laws are people related by marriage, and a sibling-in-law is the spouse of one's sibling or the sibling of one's spouse. While marrying a sibling-in-law is not explicitly illegal in many places, cultural and social norms may vary, and certain religious laws, such as Islamic (Sharia) and Jewish law (halakha), prohibit sexual relations between siblings-in-law as incestuous. Additionally, some jurisdictions, like Canada, have specific legislation prohibiting marriage between individuals with a linear relationship or those related as siblings, including by adoption. It's important to consult local laws and cultural practices when considering such marriages.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition of a sibling-in-law | The spouse of one's sibling or the sibling of one's spouse |
| Other terms | Brother-in-law (for a male), sister-in-law (for a female) |
| Religious views | Islamic law (Sharia) and Jewish law (halakha) prohibit sexual relations between siblings-in-law as incestuous |
| Religious exceptions | Judaism has a custom of yibbum, where a man has a non-obligatory duty to wed his deceased brother's childless widow |
| Legality in the US | Incest is criminalized in all but two states (New Jersey and Rhode Island) |
| Legality in the UK | Incest is illegal under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 |
| Social views | Marrying a sibling-in-law is uncommon and may be considered taboo by some families |
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What You'll Learn
- Marrying the sibling of an in-law is not illegal in most US states, except for New Jersey and Rhode Island
- In Islamic and Jewish law, sexual relations between siblings-in-law are prohibited as incestuous
- In Judaism, there was a custom of yibbum, where a man could marry his deceased brother's childless widow
- Marrying a sibling-in-law is uncommon and may be viewed with suspicion by some families
- The Bible states that if your brother dies, you should marry your sister-in-law
Marrying the sibling of an in-law is not illegal in most US states, except for New Jersey and Rhode Island
Marrying the sibling of an in-law is generally not illegal in most US states. However, there may be specific laws or prohibitions that apply in certain jurisdictions, such as New Jersey and Rhode Island. It is important to consult local laws and legal professionals for accurate information.
In the United States, the legality of marriage between the siblings of in-laws depends on the specific state laws and regulations. While it is allowed in most states, it is essential to recognize that some states, like New Jersey and Rhode Island, may have different regulations. Each state has its own set of marriage laws, and it is crucial to refer to the legal code of the relevant state for detailed information.
The perception of marrying an in-law varies among individuals and cultures. Some people may view it as unusual or taboo, while others consider it acceptable. In certain religious traditions, such as Islamic law (Sharia) and Jewish law (halakha), sexual relations between siblings-in-law are prohibited as incestuous unless the spouse is no longer in the picture. On the other hand, Judaism historically practised "yibbum," where a man had the non-obligatory duty to marry his deceased brother's childless widow.
It is worth noting that the definition of "step-sibling" and "half-sibling" can vary, and these distinctions may impact the legality of marriage. Most familial marriage laws are based on blood relations or genetic relationships rather than legal marriage status. Therefore, it is essential to understand the specific definitions and interpretations within the relevant jurisdiction.
While marrying the sibling of an in-law may be permissible in most US states, it is always advisable to consult with a legal professional to navigate the complexities of marriage laws and ensure compliance with the specific regulations in the state of residence.
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In Islamic and Jewish law, sexual relations between siblings-in-law are prohibited as incestuous
In Islamic law, there are clear guidelines on who a Muslim man is allowed to marry. The Quran states:
> Prohibited to you [for marriage] are your mothers, your daughters, your sisters, your father's sisters, your mother's sisters, your brother's daughters, your sister's daughters, your [milk] mothers who nursed you, your sisters through nursing, your wives' mothers, and your step-daughters under your guardianship [born] of your wives unto whom you have gone in. But if you have not gone in unto them, there is no sin upon you. And [also prohibited are] the wives of your sons who are from your [own] loins, and that you take [in marriage] two sisters simultaneously, except for what has already occurred.
While this list does not explicitly mention a brother-in-law's sister, the general ruling given by "And lawful to you are [all others] beyond these..." indicates that marrying her is permissible. However, some Islamic sources advise seeking all milk, blood, and in-law routes to ensure that no existing relationship prohibits the marriage.
In Jewish law, a man is prohibited from marrying certain close relatives, including his mother, grandmother, stepmother, daughter, granddaughter, daughter-in-law, and wife's daughter or granddaughter. While a brother-in-law's sister is not specifically mentioned as prohibited, Jewish law does include other restrictions on marriage. For example, a Jewish person may not marry a non-Jew under any circumstance, and a widow of a childless husband must not remarry until after the chalitzah ceremony has been performed.
Additionally, the concept of levirate marriage, or "marriage with a brother-in-law," existed in ancient Judaism. If a man died childless, it was common for his brother to marry the widow to provide an heir for the deceased. While this practice has fallen out of favor in modern Judaism, it demonstrates that sexual relations and marriage between siblings-in-law were not universally prohibited in Jewish tradition.
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In Judaism, there was a custom of yibbum, where a man could marry his deceased brother's childless widow
In Judaism, there was a custom of yibbum, or levirate marriage, where a man could marry his deceased brother's childless widow. This custom was based on the idea of providing an heir for the deceased brother so that his name "will not be obliterated from Israel" as stated in Deuteronomy 25:6. The offspring of such a union would be seen as a perpetuation of the deceased brother's name and lineage. The brother who agreed to this marriage would be the sole benefactor of his brother's estate, inheriting all of his possessions.
The oldest brother was given preference in this custom, but if he refused, another brother could perform yibbum. The custom was not obligatory, and if either party refused to go through with the marriage, they were required to perform halizah, or "taking off the shoe," a symbolic act of renunciation of their right to marry. This alternative ceremony involved the widow taking off the brother-in-law's shoe, symbolizing mourning and his failure to perform levirate marriage, and spitting on the ground in front of him, expressing contempt. After this ritual, the widow was free to marry anyone she chose.
Over time, Jewish law (halakha) has seen a decline in the practice of yibbum in favor of halizah. Today, in most contemporary Jewish communities and in Israel, yibbum is prohibited, and halizah is mandated by the Chief Rabbinate. The preference for halizah over yibbum is also seen in Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jewish communities.
It is important to note that while yibbum provided an exception, sexual relations between a man and his brother's wife were generally prohibited in Jewish law. Additionally, yibbum was only applicable if the deceased brother had no children, and both brothers had to share the same father. If these conditions were not met, the widow was immediately free to marry anyone she chose.
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Marrying a sibling-in-law is uncommon and may be viewed with suspicion by some families
In contrast, there are cultural and religious precedents for marrying a sibling-in-law. For example, in Judaism, there was a custom called yibbum, where a man had the non-obligatory duty to marry his deceased brother's childless widow. Similarly, a passage in the Bible states that if your brother dies, you should marry your sister-in-law.
Despite these precedents, marrying a sibling-in-law is not the norm in many societies, and it may be met with surprise or even disapproval by some families and individuals. This is because it can be seen as blurring the lines between familial roles and creating potential conflicts of interest within the family dynamic.
Additionally, in some jurisdictions, incest, including between siblings-in-law, is criminalized for consenting adults. For example, in the United States, incest is illegal in all but two states, and marriage between siblings-in-law is not allowed in several states, even if the individuals are consenting adults.
Overall, while marrying a sibling-in-law may be uncommon and viewed with suspicion by some, it is not universally taboo and can be more common than people realize. It is essential to consider cultural, religious, and legal perspectives when examining this topic.
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The Bible states that if your brother dies, you should marry your sister-in-law
Marrying a sibling-in-law is not unheard of and is legally fine as long as there is no blood relation. In fact, there is a passage in the Bible that states that if your brother dies, you should marry your sister-in-law. This practice is called levirate marriage, and it has been observed in various cultures throughout history.
Levirate marriage is a custom in which a man marries his brother's widow, usually to continue the family line and preserve the inheritance within a tribe. In the Bible, one of the earliest examples of levirate marriage is the story of Tamar and Onan in Genesis 38. Tamar was first married to Er, a son of Judah, but Er died, leaving Tamar childless. Following the standard procedure of levirate marriage, Judah told Onan, Er's brother, to "sleep with [his] brother's wife and fulfill [his] duty to her as a brother-in-law to raise up offspring for [his] brother" (Genesis 38:8). However, Onan did not want to have a child with Tamar, and God called his actions "wicked" (verse 10).
Another example of levirate marriage in the Bible is the story of Ruth and Boaz. Ruth's first husband died without leaving a child (Ruth 1:1–5). Levirate marriage became part of the Law in Deuteronomy 25:5–6, where the Israelites are commanded to care for women whose husbands died childless. An unmarried brother of the deceased man had the responsibility to marry his sister-in-law, as God called it "the duty of a brother-in-law" (Deuteronomy 25:5). God's purpose for levirate marriage is stated in Deuteronomy 25:6: "The first son she bears shall carry on the name of the dead brother so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel."
While levirate marriage has fallen out of favor in modern Judaism, it was a common practice among ancient Israelites, Kurds, Goula, Mambila, Maragoli, and other cultures. In some societies, levirate marriage was also used to guarantee the well-being of children and ensure that any inheritance of land would stay within the family.
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Frequently asked questions
It is legal to marry the sibling of your in-law as long as there is no blood relation. In Islamic law (Sharia) and Jewish law (halakha), sexual relations between siblings-in-law are prohibited as incestuous unless the spouse is no longer married.
It is not common to marry the sibling of your in-law, and it may be seen as unusual by some people. However, it is not unheard of, and it can happen, especially when people spend a lot of time together.
The spouse of your sibling, or the sibling of your spouse, is commonly referred to as a brother-in-law or sister-in-law.
