The Bible Book

109

Members of the Samaritan

faith, an ancient offshoot of

Judaism, celebrate Shavuot at their

holy site of Mount Gerizim near the

West Bank town of Nablus.

See also: Joseph the Dreamer 58–61 ■ Queen Esther 132 ■

The Golden Rule 210–11 ■ The Good Samaritan 216–17

THE HISTORICAL BOOKS

people, and their God. Naomi and

Ruth proceed to Bethlehem, where

they live as widows.

In the next scene, it is harvest

time and Ruth takes the initiative

to “glean,” a form of charity that

permits the poor to pick up grain

left behind by the harvesters. Ruth

chooses fields belonging to Boaz,

a relative of her late husband, and a

potential go’el, “one with the right

to redeem.” In Hebrew society, a

go’el is a near relative who can

protect a family in the absence of

a head of household. This could

mean buying their land to provide

income (while still keeping it in

Shavuot

Falling anytime between

May 14 and June 15, which is

also harvest time in the Holy

Land, “Shavuot” celebrates

the gift of Torah to the ancient

Israelites. It is associated

with the Book of Ruth, both

because of its connection to

the harvest and because Ruth

receives the gift of Torah upon

her conversion to Judaism.

Shavuot, which translates

as “weeks,” a reference to the

seven-week period between

Passover and Shavuot, is

celebrated with a feast. The

Apostles were observing

Shavuot when the Holy Spirit

descended among them and

gave spiritual gifts (Luke

22:12–13). Customs associated

with the feast include the

reading of a celebratory poem,

the consumption of dairy

products such as cheese

blintzes, cheesecake, and

cheese ravioli, and the

decoration of homes with

greenery. People stay up all

night reading the Torah and

there are synagogue readings

of the Book of Ruth.

the wider family), freeing slaves,

or even avenging murder. Boaz is

impressed with Ruth’s hard work

and loyalty to Naomi. Although his

foreman emphasizes that Ruth is a

Moabite, Boaz encourages her to

stay in his fields, where he can

ensure she is not harassed.

Ruth reports this to Naomi, who

recognizes Boaz’s status as a go’el.

Naomi tells her to approach Boaz

as he falls asleep, after the hard

work of winnowing the grain. Ruth

follows Naomi’s advice, and when

Boaz wakes, asks for the protection

of marriage: “Spread the corner of

your garment over me” (Ruth 3:9).

Boaz agrees; but first, he must

speak to her nearest male relation.

David’s line

In the final scene, tension mounts

before all is resolved. Boaz invites

Ruth’s nearest relative to buy land

belonging to Naomi, on the

condition that he marries Ruth. The

man refuses, clearing the way for

Boaz and Ruth to marry. The Lord

then enables Ruth to conceive a

son (4:13), who will join the line of

King David. The story showed the

Israelites that even Gentiles can

play a part in God’s purpose. ■

Ruth, a widow, who is

also a Gentile, has no one

to care for her.

She converts to Judaism

and marries Boaz, a

“guardian-redeemer.”

God gives Ruth and Boaz

a son, Obed, from whom

King David will descend.

God even provides

for and works

His purpose through

Gentiles, such

as Ruth.

The story of Ruth

Why have I found such

favor in your eyes that you

notice me—a foreigner?

Ruth 2:10

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