עזרא, פרק י׳, פסוק ג׳

Recognizing the severe spiritual damage caused by intermarriage, the community takes a drastic, collective step to repair their relationship with God. They decide to establish a binding covenant to purify the nation and remove the foreign influences that have infiltrated their ranks. This requires expelling the foreign women from idol-worshipping nations [מצודת דוד], along with the children born to them. The difficult decision to send away the children stems from the legal principle that a child born to a foreign woman takes on her status and is not considered part of the nation of Israel. Therefore, these children could not be converted and integrated into the community [אבן עזרא].

This entire movement is guided by the will and advice of God [רש״י]. It is a direct response to the biblical prohibition against marrying into foreign nations, a law designed to prevent the people from being drawn into idol worship [מצודת דוד]. The initiative is sparked by those who deeply fear Heaven [רש״י, מצודת דוד], individuals who are eager and quick to fulfill the Commandment [מצודת ציון].

Executing such a massive separation requires more than just a declaration; it demands a formal covenant. Ezra does not possess the authority to punish beyond standard Torah law, and there is a real concern that many men will refuse to send their wives away. By establishing a public oath and covenant, the community grants itself the legal authority of a king. This collective power allows them to impose severe penalties on anyone who rebels, ensuring the agreement is strictly enforced [מלבי״ם].

The primary approach among commentators is that anyone who follows through and expels his foreign wife and children is acting correctly according to the laws of the Torah. However, another perspective views this final agreement as a mandate for enforcement. In this view, the community uses the power of the Torah and the public to compel and punish those who refuse to willingly send their foreign wives away [אבן עזרא, מלבי״ם].