Getting married in age order

Question

Those that refrain from allowing a younger sibling to get married prior to an older sibling mention the verse from Lavan, "Lo Yaiose Kain BimiKomeinu Losais Hatziyira Lifnei HaBechira, In our locale we do not marry off the younger child prior to the older one". Are there any other sources for this Minhag? Is there an age that you say "at this point we stop waiting"? (sources please)

Answer 1

One of the first responsa in Igros Moshe Even HaEzer says if you're ready to get married, then go get married; don't wait for an older sibling (even if s/he complains).

If two siblings get engaged at approximately the same time, then we'd say the older one's wedding should happen first. But that's all the waiting we do.

Answer 2

Here is a series of excerpts from the Lubavitcher Rebbe's letters regarding this. A summary of the points:

• The Chabad Rabbe'im were Makpid on "Lo Yaiose Kain BimiKomeinu Losais Hatziyira Lifnei HaBechira", when talking about the parents having an option which children to find a shidduch for first.

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• When an younger sister precedes the older in shidduchim:
  1. she should first ask permission and forgiveness from the older sister (preferably in front of witnesses or in writing).
  2. the l'chaim (vort) should be held in a restrained manner
  3. don't make a quick wedding (give the older sister time, maybe she'll find a shidduch too)
  4. the marriage is what counts in this regard, not the engagement.
  5. younger sister and parents should set aside some money for the older sister's wedding.

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• When a younger brother wants to get married before the older brother:
  1. once the younger brother has reached 18, we don't worry about age.
  2. younger brother should ask forgiveness from older brother before starting shidduchim

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• when the brother has an older unmarried sister:
  1. groom and bride should each set aside some money for the shidduch and wedding expenses of the older sister
  2. ask her forgiveness
  3. wedding should be celebrated in a relatively quiet manner.

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• when the sister has an older, unmarried brother:
  1. ask her forgiveness in front of 3 people
  2. set aside some money for the shidduch and wedding expenses of the older brother

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• when the sister has two older unmarried brothers
  1. Although there is technically nothing wrong, get a psak from a Rav that it is OK to get married before them, this gives it Da'as Torah.

Answer 3

It's mentioned in Tosafos, Kiddushin 52a.

There is a detailed analysis of the topic, by R' Wasserman of Los Angeles, here: http://www.shtaygen.co.il/?CategoryID=1565&ArticleID=6008