רות, פרק ד׳, פסוק ד׳

In a formal and public setting, Boaz presents the closer relative with the opportunity to redeem their family’s property, delicately navigating a standard land transaction while holding back the hidden obligation toward Ruth. Boaz begins by reminding the relative of the law dictating that fields must return to their original owners, a detail that may have been forgotten during the family’s prolonged stay in Moab [אשכול הכופר]. He insists that this discussion take place in the presence of the local inhabitants and the elders acting as judges. This transparency is necessary because Boaz himself has a personal interest as a potential redeemer [אשכול הכופר]. More importantly, the public forum serves to broadcast the legal ruling that the prohibition against marrying Moabites applies exclusively to men. Making this widely known removes any future doubt regarding the legitimacy of a marriage to Ruth [אגרת שמואל].

Boaz outlines the transaction by contrasting the concepts of buying and redeeming. While a standard purchase involves acquiring the land at its normal market value, redemption implies paying a premium as an act of charity and kindness toward Naomi [אגרת שמואל]. The central objective is to prevent the family estate from falling into the hands of strangers [מלבי״ם]. At this stage, Naomi has not actually sold the land; rather, she has firmly resolved and agreed to sell her portion, prompting this intervention [אגרת שמואל].

When presenting the choice, the dialogue shifts to an indirect tone, referring to the relative's potential refusal in the third person rather than addressing him directly [אבן עזרא]. This indirectness is an expression of humility, allowing Boaz to avoid embarrassing the relative by bluntly stating that he would step in and take Ruth himself if the relative refused. Alternatively, this specific condition may have been interjected by the court itself as they listened to the exchange [תורה תמימה, אגרת שמואל]. Others suggest Boaz is simply inquiring if there is another potential redeemer available [אשכול הכופר], or merely stating the legal condition of refusal [אבן עזרא].

Furthermore, the phrasing used to confirm the relative's final decision carries a subtle implication of marital intimacy. Through this nuance, Boaz and the court hint that the relative cannot simply take Ruth into his home as a maidservant to support her financially. He must formally marry her to perpetuate the name of her deceased husband [תורה תמימה, אגרת שמואל].

Boaz then clarifies the strict order of priority, confirming that the relative is first in line and Boaz is second [ביאור שטיינזלץ, רש״י]. Hearing this, the relative immediately agrees to step forward, believing the matter is settled and there is no need to look for anyone else [אשכול הכופר]. However, his quick consent is based on a critical misunderstanding. He assumes the redemption involves only purchasing Naomi's land, completely unaware that acquiring the property is inextricably linked to marrying Ruth [מלבי״ם]. Once he realizes this condition, he will ultimately refuse the offer. He will back down out of fear that he might suffer the same tragic fate as Ruth's first husband, or that bringing a new wife into his home will disrupt his domestic peace and jeopardize his existing wealth [אגרת שמואל].