Q) What is the main lesson Megillah Rut is meant to convey?
Your thoughts:
Ruth Rabba 2:14:
R. Zeira said: This Megilla does not contain [laws of] impurity or purity, or prohibitions or permits, so why was it written? To teach you how good is the reward for those who do kindness.
But is the kindness of Rut really a good paradigm for us?
R. Zeira said: This Megilla does not contain [laws of] impurity or purity, or prohibitions or permits, so why was it written? To teach you how good is the reward for those who do kindness.
But is the kindness of Rut really a good paradigm for us?
Zohar Chadash, Megillat Ruth 25b:
I would not be surprised if this Megilla were here simply to trace the genealogy of David, who was born from Ruth the Moabite.
I would not be surprised if this Megilla were here simply to trace the genealogy of David, who was born from Ruth the Moabite.
Yevamot 76b:
So said Saul: “Does he descend from Peretz or does he descend from Zerach?”… Doeg Ha-Edomi replied to him, “Before you ask whether he is suitable for kingship or not, ask whether he is worthy to be admitted to the congregation or not! What is the reason? Because he descends from Ruth the Moabite!” Avner said to him, “We have learned, ‘Amonite men [are prohibited from joining the congregation], but not Ammonite women; Moavite men, but not Moavite women,’…because the reason [for their exclusion] is stated in the Bible – that they did not greet them with bread and water. It is the way of the man to greet them and not the way of a woman to greet them.”
So said Saul: “Does he descend from Peretz or does he descend from Zerach?”… Doeg Ha-Edomi replied to him, “Before you ask whether he is suitable for kingship or not, ask whether he is worthy to be admitted to the congregation or not! What is the reason? Because he descends from Ruth the Moabite!” Avner said to him, “We have learned, ‘Amonite men [are prohibited from joining the congregation], but not Ammonite women; Moavite men, but not Moavite women,’…because the reason [for their exclusion] is stated in the Bible – that they did not greet them with bread and water. It is the way of the man to greet them and not the way of a woman to greet them.”
Devarim 17:16-20:
However, he shall not keep many horses or return the nation to Egypt to acquire many horses, for God told you, “Do not return that way again.” And he shall not have many wives, so that his heart shall not go astray, and he shall not acquire much silver and gold. And when he shall sit on his royal throne, he shall write this Torah in a scroll before the Priests and Levites. And it shall be with him and he shall read from it all of his days, so that he should learn to fear his God and guard the words of this Torah and observe these statutes. Thus, he will not act haughtily with his brethren and not stray right or left from the command so that he and his sons will have long life in his kingship among Israel.
Dr. Ziegler:
It is true that Ruth’s type of selflessness is not something Judaism demands from its constituents. Yet, it is an absolute necessity for our leaders. Not only do we expect it from our leaders, but it is a virtual prerequisite for the establishment of the monarchy. Without a Ruth at its helm, without someone with the ability to give unselfishly and totally to the other, monarchy is not a promise or a vision of bounty, but a dangerous threat, an ominous future, a recipe for debauchery, depravity and despotism.
Are there leaders which come to mind when you think of someone who is selfless?
How could you bring more selfless kindness into your life?
Brainstorming Session:
However, he shall not keep many horses or return the nation to Egypt to acquire many horses, for God told you, “Do not return that way again.” And he shall not have many wives, so that his heart shall not go astray, and he shall not acquire much silver and gold. And when he shall sit on his royal throne, he shall write this Torah in a scroll before the Priests and Levites. And it shall be with him and he shall read from it all of his days, so that he should learn to fear his God and guard the words of this Torah and observe these statutes. Thus, he will not act haughtily with his brethren and not stray right or left from the command so that he and his sons will have long life in his kingship among Israel.
Dr. Ziegler:
It is true that Ruth’s type of selflessness is not something Judaism demands from its constituents. Yet, it is an absolute necessity for our leaders. Not only do we expect it from our leaders, but it is a virtual prerequisite for the establishment of the monarchy. Without a Ruth at its helm, without someone with the ability to give unselfishly and totally to the other, monarchy is not a promise or a vision of bounty, but a dangerous threat, an ominous future, a recipe for debauchery, depravity and despotism.
Are there leaders which come to mind when you think of someone who is selfless?
How could you bring more selfless kindness into your life?
Brainstorming Session: