
In general, the term sibling-in-law refers to the spouse of one's sibling or the spouse of one's spouse's sibling. While it may be uncommon or considered strange by some, it is not prohibited or illegal for a person to marry their sibling-in-law as long as they are not blood-related. In some cultures and religions, such as Biblical customs and Judaism, it was customary for a man to marry his deceased brother's widow. In Islamic and Jewish law, sexual relations between siblings-in-law are prohibited as incestuous unless the spouse is no longer married.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Relationship | A sibling-in-law is the spouse of one's sibling or the sibling of one's spouse |
| Other terms | More commonly, a sibling-in-law is referred to as a brother-in-law or sister-in-law |
| Religious views | 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 |
| Cultural views | In Indian English, the spouse of a sibling-in-law can be referred to as a co-sibling |
| Marrying a sibling-in-law | There is no prohibition against marrying a sibling-in-law as long as certain conditions are met, such as being of legal marrying age and not being presently married |
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What You'll Learn
- 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 would marry his deceased brother's childless widow
- In Indian English, the wife of one's sibling-in-law is called a co-sister
- The children of one's siblings-in-law are called nieces and nephews, specified as by marriage if necessary
- There is no prohibition against marrying a sister-in-law's younger brother

In Islamic and Jewish law, sexual relations between siblings-in-law are prohibited as incestuous
In Islamic law, or Sharia, sexual relations between siblings-in-law are prohibited as incestuous. This is a part of the broader Islamic teachings that govern inheritance-related actions and other aspects of life.
In Jewish law, or halakha, sexual relations between siblings-in-law are also prohibited as incestuous. This is based on the interpretation of the Hebrew Bible, which forbids sexual relationships between siblings. While there are some differences in interpretation and additional prohibitions outlined by rabbis, the Hebrew Bible serves as the foundation for Jewish law and ethics.
It is important to note that the term "sibling-in-law" refers to a type of kinship called affinity, which is a relation that is not directly by blood. Despite this, sexual relations between siblings-in-law are still prohibited in both Islamic and Jewish law.
In Judaism, there was also the custom of yibbum, which was a non-obligatory duty for a man to wed his deceased brother's childless widow so that she might have progeny by him. This custom adds a layer of complexity to the understanding of incest and marriage laws in Jewish tradition.
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In Judaism, there was a custom of yibbum, where a man would marry his deceased brother's childless widow
The obligation to perform yibbum fell on the surviving brother, who had the choice to either marry his sister-in-law or perform a ceremony called halizah, which involved symbolically renouncing his right to the marriage. The oldest brother was given preference, but if he refused, the next brother in line could perform yibbum. It is important to note that both yibbum and halizah are no longer commonly practised in contemporary Jewish communities, with a gradual shift towards halizah over time.
The custom of yibbum also provided protection and support for widows in ancient times. Without a husband, a woman would often be left without a source of income or anyone to provide for her, leading to potential starvation and disgrace. By marrying her brother-in-law, the widow gained a new family, enhanced status, and financial resources. Additionally, the brother who agreed to the marriage became the sole benefactor of his brother's estate, inheriting all of his possessions.
While yibbum was a way to ensure the widow's well-being and continuity of the brother's lineage, it was not without its conditions. For yibbum to be applicable, the surviving brothers must have had the same father, and at least one of them must have been alive at the time of their brother's death. If these conditions were not met, the widow was free to marry anyone she chose. Furthermore, yibbum was only permitted if the deceased brother left no children. If he had offspring, the widow could not marry any of her brothers-in-law, as the primary purpose of yibbum was to provide an heir to continue the brother's family line.
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In Indian English, the wife of one's sibling-in-law is called a co-sister
The term "co-sister" is not universally used in India, and some native speakers may not be familiar with it. It appears to be more common in certain regions, such as southern India, and may be influenced by the local culture's importance placed on the exactness of relationships. In other parts of India and among the Indian diaspora, individuals may simply use the term "sister-in-law" or specify the relationship by describing it, such as "my sister-in-law's husband's sister".
The term "co-sister" is also related to other terms used in Indian English, such as co-brother for the husband of one's sibling-in-law, and co-son-in-law or co-daughter-in-law for the children of one's sibling-in-law. These terms reflect the richness and complexity of kinship terminology in Indian languages, which often have distinct words for relationships that would be lumped together in English.
It is worth noting that the use of "co-sister" and similar terms is not limited to Indian English. In some cultures, such as Jewish and Islamic, there are specific terms and customs related to the relationship between siblings-in-law, reflecting the importance of these connections. However, in many Western cultures, the term "co-sister" may not be commonly understood, and individuals may need to clarify the nature of the relationship being described.
Overall, the use of "co-sister" in Indian English reflects a nuanced approach to kinship terminology, providing a specific term for the wife of one's sibling-in-law and helping to navigate the complex web of relationships that make up extended families.
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The children of one's siblings-in-law are called nieces and nephews, specified as by marriage if necessary
In general, a sibling-in-law is the spouse of one's sibling or the sibling of one's spouse. The children of one's siblings-in-law are called nieces and nephews. If necessary, it can be specified whether they are related "by marriage", by "blood", or by "adoption". This is because siblings-in-law are related by a type of kinship called affinity, which does not relate to the person directly by blood.
In some cultures, it was customary for a man to marry his deceased brother's widow, so she might have progeny by him. For example, in Biblical times, it was customary to take care of a deceased brother's wife by marrying her. Similarly, in Judaism, there was the custom of yibbum, which allowed for a similar arrangement. However, 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.
In the specific case of marrying a sister-in-law's younger brother, there is no prohibition as long as certain conditions are met. These include being of marrying age (18) or having parental permission, not being presently married to someone else, and both parties being mentally competent.
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There is no prohibition against marrying a sister-in-law's younger brother
Marriage customs and laws vary across the world, and it is important to note that this answer focuses on the Western understanding of marriage and in-laws. In this context, a sibling-in-law is the spouse of one's sibling or the sibling of one's spouse. For example, the brother of your spouse is your brother-in-law, and your spouse's sister is your sister-in-law.
In some cultures and religions, 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 married. However, in the question posed, the scenario is different.
Regarding the question of whether one can marry their sister-in-law's younger brother, there is no inherent prohibition against such a marriage. This scenario does not involve direct blood relations, and as long as the individuals involved meet the legal requirements for marriage, such as being of legal age (18 in many places) or having parental consent, not currently being married to someone else, and being mentally competent, there is no legal impediment to this union.
However, it is important to note that marriage laws can vary based on location, and specific states or countries may have their own regulations. Therefore, it is always advisable to seek legal counsel or refer to local marriage laws for definitive answers regarding any specific situation.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, as long as you are of legal marrying age (18) or have parental consent, are not married to someone else, and are both mentally competent, you can marry your brother's sister-in-law.
In Biblical times, it was customary to take care of your deceased brother's wife by marrying her. In Judaism, there was a similar custom called yibbum, where a man had a non-obligatory duty to wed his deceased brother's childless widow.
No, your brother's sister-in-law is not related to you by blood. They are related to you by affinity, a type of kinship that applies to all in-law relationships.
















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