TT #745 · Parashas Ki Seitzei · Seventh Aliyah · Passuk 25:09
Then his yevamah shall approach him in the presence of the elders, and draw his shoe off his foot, and spit in his face, and respond and say: “Thus shall be done to the man who will not build up his brother’s house.”
Torah Temimah points to Sifrei.
TT lemma: וְיָרְקָה בְּפָנָיו.
וְיָרְקָה בְּפָנָיו – יָכוֹל בְּפָנָיו מַמָּשׁ? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר לְעֵינֵי הַזְּקֵנִים – רוֹק הַנִּרְאֶה לָעֵינַיִם.
English: “And she shall spit in his face” — might this mean literally in his face? Scripture says “before the eyes of the elders” — spittle that is visible to the eyes.
On the daf / in context: The spittle must land in a place where the judges can see it (typically on the ground in front of the yavam).
Derash requiring visible spittle.
The spittle must be visible to the judges; it is directed in front of the yavam rather than necessarily onto his face.