“And his name shall be called in Israel, ‘the house of him that hath his shoe loosed’.”
The service was all very curious in the eyes of Tom Hammond. He followed every item of it with the closest, most interested attention. Presently the parties specially concerned mounted the platform. This platform was backed with a huge square frame covered with black cloth. This was meant to symbolize mourning for the dead husband. Three tall candle-sticks held lighted candles, their flames looking weird and sickly in the daylight.
The Rabbi stooped before the brother-in-law, and took off his right shoe and sock. Another official washed the foot, wiped it with a towel, and pared the toe-nails.
A soft white shoe, made specially for the occasion, was then taken by the rabbi, put on to the bare foot of the man, and laced up very tightly, the long ends of the lace being twisted round the ankle and knotted securely.
Then there followed a seemingly interminable string of questions, put by the rabbi, and answered by the brother-in-law. The catechism culminated in a few chief questions such as:
“Do you wish to marry this woman?”
“I do not,” replied the brother-in-law.
“For what reason?”
“I am already married; my wife is living, and the law of the land we live in does not permit my having more than one wife.”
The reply rang clear and strong through the silent building, and the hush seemed to deepen as the rabbi asked,