Scenes at a חליצה Ceremony

Scenes at a חליצה Ceremony

1) Before the חליצה shoe is put on the Yavam, they wash his foot and dry it. This is done so to make sure there is no חציצה between the foot and the shoe (E.H. 169:26) Mori V’rabi Harav Hagaon R.S.Miller Shlita  said, he had attended a חליצה where  R.Moishe Feinstein zt”l. was the Mesader. It was a fascinating scene to watch   R. Moishe the Poisek Hador bent over with  a washcloth and a bowl of water washing & drying the foot of a Poshuter Yid, the Yavam. 2) I have been at a Chalitza where the Rav played Soccer with the Yavam. The Yavam wasn't aware that the Bais Din was trying to determine if he was right or left-footed to establish if the shoe is put on the right foot only or on both feet. (for a lefty see Eh169:25) 3) חליצה is done in front of a Bais Din of five. Two of the five sit at the side (of the the three) 4) The Rav makes the Bracha (בלי שם ומלכות)  ברוך אתה השם אשר קדשנו במצותיו  וציונו במצות וחוקים של אברהם אבינו