Thematic Bible: Customs connected with
Thematic Bible
Shoes » Customs connected with » A man who refused to marry a deceased brother's wife disgraced by pulling off his shoes
then his sister-in-law must approach him in view of the elders, remove his sandal from his foot, and spit in his face. She will then respond, "Thus may it be done to any man who does not maintain his brother's family line!" His family name will be referred to in Israel as "the family of the one whose sandal was removed."
Shoes » Customs connected with » The right of redemption resigned by a man's giving one of his shoes to the next of kin
(Now this used to be the customary way to finalize a transaction involving redemption in Israel: A man would remove his sandal and give it to the other party. This was a legally binding act in Israel.) So the guardian said to Boaz, "You may acquire it," and he removed his sandal.