Reply To: Paskening Hashkafa: Academic vs. Practical Rationales

I find it interesting that Abba Shaul in Yevamot (just read about him the Daf Yomi) holds that not being lishma for the mitsvah of Yibum philosophically negates the mitsvah, and one is left with an ervah. This philosophical idea makes a difference in halacha, at least for Ashkenazim, who follow Abba Shaul and do Halitsa and not Yibum nowadays.