Treasury of Scripture
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 any thing new, it is customary to give, instead of a shoe, a handkerchief or veil.'
Deuteronomy 25:7-10 And if the man like not to take his brother's wife, then let his brother's wife go up to the gate to the elders, and say...