The negative criticism of Ploni Almoni [aka "Tov"] always bothered me. After all he WAS willing to dish out the money for the field! His hesitation re: marrying Ruth is certainly defensible, if not quite admirable.
I found an explanation that not only makes Ploni Almoni's [PA] position "OK" but teaches US a pragmatic lesson.
See Artscroll Ruth [Chai edition] p. 126
PA acknowledge that Moaviyah was mutteret, but he demurred because it was breaking new ground, it was setting a precedent perhaps for all time. As such he deferred to Boaz [aka Ivtzan] a Gadol and Rosh Sanhedrin in order to make the Precedent Stick. Pen Ashcheet Nachaalttii was a fear that his insignificant stature might jeopardize the p'sak re: Moaviyyah. But with Bo'az, the Yichus of future generations was assured
This also dovetails well with the nature of the book to "justify" the Yichus of David Hamelech. All the loose ends had to be tied up lest he be "de-legitimized". Boaz was the man for the job. PA was not necessarily a bad person, but he lacked the "Gravitas" for such a mission, and he humbly acknowledged that and deferred to Boaz
Shalom and Regards,
RRW
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