- a man plucked off:
- This custom does not refer to the law about refusing to marry a brother's widow, but was usual in the transfer of inheritances. For this relative was not a brother, but simply a kinsman; and the shoe was not pulled off by Ruth, but by the kinsman himself. The Targumist, instead of his shoe, renders "his right hand glove," it probably being the custom, in his time, to give that instead of a shoe. Jarchi says, "When we purchase anything new, it is customary to give, instead of a shoe, a handkerchief or veil." "And if¹ the manª likeª° not¹ to takeª°¹ his brother's wife,ª then let his brother's wifeª go upª° to the gateª unto¹ the elders,ª and say,ª° My husband's brotherª refusethª° to raise upª° unto his brotherª a nameª in Israel,ª he willª° not¹ perform the duty of my husband's brother.ª° ... And his nameª shall be calledª° in Israel,ª The houseª of him that hath his shoeª loosed.ª°" {Deu 25:7-10}
|
