#57.3 – Ruth and Naomi

#57.3 Stories from the Tanakh

Ruth and Naomi

 

#1 Read and Learn: The Story of Ruth and Naomi

In the days of the judges, an Israelite family went to live in the land of Moab. The father died, leaving his wife Naomi and his two sons. Each of the sons took a wife from among the women of Moab. Ten years passed, and both sons died. Naomi was left alone with her two daughters-in-law.

Naomi said to them, “Go back to your families, and I will return to my home in the Land of Israel.” She hugged and kissed them and all three women began to weep. The young women said to her, “Let us go with you, to your people.” But Naomi shook her head and said, “Turn back.” Then one of the young women kissed Naomi and returned to her home.

But the other, Ruth, refused to leave. Ruth said to Naomi, “Where you go, I will go. Where you make your home, I will make my home. Your people shall be my people. And your God shall be my God. Where you die, I will die. And there I will be buried.”

So together they crossed the Jordan River and came to Bethlehem. It was the harvest season. The poor went out to the fields to glean. They would pick up the grain that the farm workers left behind. Ruth told Naomi, “I will go out and glean so that we may have food.” Naomi sent Ruth to the field of her relative, a rich man named Boaz.

When Boaz saw Ruth he asked his servant, “Who is this young woman?” And the servant replied, “She returned from Moab with Naomi.” Then Boaz went to Ruth and said, “Glean only in my field. I have heard how you left your home in Moab to honor your mother-in-law, Naomi. God will reward you.” And Boaz told his workers to leave grain behind where Ruth could find it easily.

Every day, Ruth went to the field of Boaz. And every night, she returned home with her basket filled with grain. One night Naomi said, “Daughter, you need a home. Do as I say: Put on your best clothing and your perfumed oil. Find Boaz and wait until he goes to rest. Then go to him and he will tell you what to do.”

Now Boaz finished eating and his heart was filled with cheer. He went to rest. Ruth came up to him softly. “I am your relative, Ruth,” she said. “And I need your help.” Boaz said, “Have no fear, I will help you.” He went to the city gate to find Naomi’s closest relative. “Either you or I must buy the land of Naomi and marry her daughter,” Boaz said to the man. “It is up to you, because you are Naomi’s nearest cousin. What will you do?”

“I am already married,” said the man. Boaz turned to the others in the marketplace. “You are all my witnesses,” he said. “I will marry Ruth the Moabite, and give her children, to carry on our family name.” And the people near the gate heard and said, “May God bless you both.”

Boaz married Ruth and they had a child. Naomi loved the child as if it were her own. The people called the child Obed. And Obed was the father of Jesse. And Jesse was the father of David, who rose to become the King of Israel. This was the special blessing that God gave to Ruth who had remained loyal to Naomi and converted to the faith of the Jews.

#2 WATCH and Learn: A Music Video of the Book of Ruth

#3  Read and Reflect: 

In the story of Ruth and Naomi, Ruth chooses to go with her mother-in-law to the land of Israel and to take on the traditions, customs, and faith of Naomi’s people.

If your family had to move to a new place, do you think it would be easy to pick up the local customs and traditions of the new place or would you feel more comfortable keeping traditions that you know already? How can we help others who are new to our neighborhoods, schools, or even family feel welcome and a part of a community?

#4 Watch and Learn: What’s Jewish About Farming?

In the story of Ruth and Naomi, Boaz made it easier for Ruth to glean from his fields the wheat that was left behind. This is a tradition in Judaism known as Pe’ah or “corner”, where farmers leave the corners of their fields unharvested for those who need help accessing food. What are some ways that we as urban or suburban dwellers can help those who are in need of food?

#5: Review and Response

  1. Who are the main characters of this story? Why do you think Ruth decided to stay with Naomi instead of going back to her family?
  2. What is the name of the tradition in Judaism where we leave the corners of fields for those who are in need of food? What is a modern way we can do this mitzvah?
  3. Do you think it’s important to have a community of people to help each other? How might being a part of a tribe or group of people who have similar ways of doing things or believing in things help us grow stronger as people? How do you think Judaism can help you in this way?

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