Halitzah

Quick meaning: Halitzah is a noun meaning (Judaism) A rite by which a widow absolves herself of the duty of levirate marriage. It involves making a declaration, removing a shoe, and spitting on the floor.

Meaning

(Judaism) A rite by which a widow absolves herself of the duty of levirate marriage. It involves making a declaration, removing a shoe, and spitting on the floor.

Example Sentences

To discourage sexual attraction between brothers and sisters-in-law, later Jewish law expressed a clear preference for ḥalitzah (the ritual of the sandal) rather than levirate marriage.

Halitzah carries with it the implication of shame on the male who by refusing to marry his sister-in-law is guilty of not fulfilling his obligation to his dead brother and his dead brother's estate.

Word Forms

• halitzot
• halizah
• halisah

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include iddah, halala, sheloshim, tashlikh, tallit, shemira.

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