D’var Torah on The Book of Ruth

“Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” 

Together, Naomi and Ruth go back to Bethlehem, and it is a hard life. One day when Ruth is out in the fields working, she happens to meet Boaz, who is related to Naomi’s deceased husband.  He is the owner of the fields and wealthy, and takes a liking to Ruth.  With Naomi’s coaching and help, Boaz ends up marrying Ruth.  Together Ruth and Boaz have a son, which is significant because this son will become the grandfather of King David.  This union starts the line of David – a time in Jewish history, of great peace and prosperity.

What can we learn as a Foundation
The story of Ruth is an amazing example of women supporting women! Ruth’s devotion to Naomi is legendary.  In the Bible, which is filled with stories of jealousy and betrayal, this story about women’s support for each other, really stands out.

Over the years, when Ruth was Naomi’s daughter-in-law, Ruth must have developed a real respect and a bond with Naomi.  So when Naomi loses her husband and her sons – and in a male-dominated culture this is everything – she just wants to return to her people and she is willing to do this alone.  It’s unclear whether she would even survive the journey by herself.  Ruth is unflinching; she pledges to stay by Naomi’s side, giving up everything, even when Naomi urges her not to go.  In turn, when they return to Israel, Naomi seeks out the best for Ruth.  This is truly a remarkable story of sisterhood – a powerful example of women lifting up women.

The Story of Ruth also gives us a great example of social change and it far reaching impact, in the way it raises the status and the respect of the convert.  Up until this point in the timeline of the Bible, we hear about different biblical figures who marry spouses from foreign lands.  But in general, these partners are side-lined.  We hear very little about them.  This is the first time when the convert becomes the star of the story.

When I think about some of the social change indicators that our Foundation uses, this hits squarely on a several of them.  The Story of Ruth redefines the meaning of a convert from one who is a follower to one who is an equal and in fact, even a leader.  This story also serves to change community behavior.  Rather than treating the convert as a marginalized outsider, this story exemplifies the need to embrace the convert in the way that Naomi embraces Ruth.  If Naomi had not embraced Ruth, the implication is that the line of David never would have happened.  And we still hear the story of Ruth referenced today, as the model for how to treat the convert.

There are multiple interpretations of the story of Ruth that draw strong parallels between Abraham and Ruth, and their common leadership traits.  I believe these comparisons are particularly important because they highlight a different kind of leader.   Both Ruth and Abraham are characterized by their tremendous chesed or kindness.  They also are both portrayed as courageous migrants who left the land of their fathers, casting away their religious and national bonds, to embark on unknown and very dangerous journeys.  In Abraham’s case, he is propelled by faith.  And in Ruth’s case, she is propelled by love and loyalty.  Ultimately, both Abraham and Ruth are portrayed as important leaders, and instrumental in establishing the future course of the Jewish people.  As a Foundation, as we focus on broadening the definition of leadership, I love the fact that the Bible makes this association.