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<DIV>The Medrash Rabah on Rus (quoted by the Torah Temimah on Rus 1:11) in fact states that Naomi's question "ha'Od Li Banim b'Mei'ai v'Hayu Lachem l'Anashim" -- "have I anymore children in my innards and they will be for you for men?" (Rus 1:11) was a rhetorical question concerning Yibum (as well as her inability to bear children). The Medrash describes her thoughts: "Does a person do Yibum with Eishes Achiv Shelo Hayah b'Olamo?" The Ibn Ezra similarly explains that Naomi's statement was not that they shouldn't wait for Yibum, as that would be impossible due to the children's being brothers from the mother's side. It was rather a loving and sympathetic statement that if she could produce children which would take the place of their husbands, in order to help them, she would. She knew this was impossible both from a practical and halachic aspect, and sympathized with them in this fashion.</DIV>
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<DIV>Was Ruth converted before her husband died, or after?</DIV>
<DIV>If it was after, why to mention "Goel"? there is no Mitzva of Yibum, as she does not have any relatives.</DIV>
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