in former times: The Book of Ruth was not written right after the events happened. By the time it was written, most people had forgotten the custom of removing a sandal and its meaning. The transfer of a sandal symbolized transferring the right to buy and redeem land. See also Deuteronomy 25:9 for a similar, but not identical, custom related to levirate marriage. In both cases, the sandal signified the right of redemption.