At the climax of a public gathering, a powerful physical gesture drives home the gravity of a new moral commitment. A severe warning and public oath are issued, yet this tense moment concludes with an unexpected outpouring of public joy and thanksgiving.
To visually demonstrate the consequences of breaking this pact, the leader forcefully shakes out his clothing. The primary approach among commentators is that he shakes the edge of his garment. However, other perspectives suggest he shakes clothes resting on his arm [רלב״ג], his actual arm [אבן עזרא], or the pocket of his clothing [מלבי״ם]. An alternative view suggests he completely strips off and removes the garment altogether [ר' סעדיה גאון]. The motion itself is vigorous, designed to entirely dislodge and cast away any dust or contents held within [רלב״ג, מצודת ציון]. This serves as a striking visual symbol of everything falling away and emptying out [שטיינזלץ].
From this physical display comes a fierce warning directed at anyone who might refuse to honor the agreement and forgive the debts owed to them. God will shake out that person's wealth and possessions. This ruin applies to his home, which includes his family and children, as well as to the wealth he accumulated through great effort and labor [אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד]. The result is absolute and permanent devastation. The violator will lose all his assets, left entirely destitute and wandering. Just as the garment or pocket was shaken completely bare, this individual will never achieve success again. Even if it defies the natural order of things, he will remain forever empty [מלבי״ם, מצודת דוד].
The crowd’s reaction to such a harsh warning is highly unusual. Despite the massive financial sacrifice required to forgive debts and return mortgaged fields, the people accept the terms with complete agreement and joy. They praise God for placing the goodwill in their hearts to perform this kindness. They express gratitude for the merit to fulfill the commandment of charity and to show mercy to the poor and their children, allowing them to live with dignity [שטיינזלץ, מצודת דוד, חומת אנך]. This eager and joyful acceptance of the commandment is compared to the enthusiasm of someone reciting a blessing right before performing a sacred duty [מלבי״ם].