Deuteronomy 25:8

8 Then let the elders of his citie call vnto him and comen with him. Yf he stonde and saye: I will not take her,

Deuteronomy 25:8 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 25:8

Then the elders of his city shall call him
Require him to come, before them, and declare his resolution, and the reasons for it; recite this law to him, and explain the nature of it, and exhort him to comply with it, or show reason why he does not, at least to have his final resolution upon it:

and speak unto him;
talk with him upon this subject, and give him their best advice; and what that was Maimonides ^F15 more particularly informs us; if it is good and advisable to marry, they advise him to marry; but if it is better advice to pluck off the shoe, they give it; as when she is young and he is old, or she is old and he young, they advise him to allow the shoe to be plucked off:

and [if] he stand [to it]: and say, I like not to take her;
if, after all the conversation, debate, and counsel between them, he is resolute, and abides by his first determination, that he will not marry her, then the following method was to be taken.

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FOOTNOTES:

F15 Yebum Vechalitzab, c. 4. sect. 1.

Deuteronomy 25:8 In-Context

6 And the eldest sonne which she beareth, shall stonde vp in the name of his brother which is deed, that his name be not put out in Israel.

7 But and yf the man will not take his systerlawe, then let her goo to the gate vnto the elders and saye: My brotherlawe refuseth to sterre vpp vnto his brother a name in Israel, he will not marie me.

8 Then let the elders of his citie call vnto him and comen with him. Yf he stonde and saye: I will not take her,

9 then let his systerlawe goo vnto him in the presence of the elders and loose his showe of his fote and spytt in his face and answere and saye. So shall it be done vnto that man that will not bylde his brothers housse.

10 And his name shalbe called in Israel, the vnshoed housse.