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May 2007

The Book of Ruth: Loss, Hessed and Healing

The following is an excerpt from an edition of The Outstretched Arm, a publication of the National Center for Jewish Healing.

Ashkenazi Jews read the Book of Ruth on Shavuot for a number of reasons: because the book’s events take place at harvest time, because Ruth’s "conversion" to Judaism mirrors our ongoing acceptance of the Torah since Sinai; and because of the book’s concluding genealogy which leads from Ruth to King David, who, tradition says, was born and died on Shavuot.

A major theme of the book is the intense love and devotion between Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi, a love which deepens as they support one another in the days and years after the deaths of Naomi’s sons. The three major figures in the Book — Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz — all exhibit great hessed (lovingkindness), which entails doing more for another person than the law actually requires, sensitively providing for his/her unique needs. Through the study of Ruth’s classic and modern commentaries, we can derive insights about the nature of friendship (some trace Ruth’s name to re’ut, which means friendship) and appreciate the help loved ones in coping with suffering and tragedy.

-- Rabbi Simkha Y. Weintraub, LCSW

Ruth and Naomi’s relationship is also a metaphor that allows us to explore the dynamic relationship between Israel (the Jewish people) and God. We are all Naomi in her deepest despair. Having lost everything, Naomi cannot find anything to hope for. She sees herself as bitter, empty. Ruth accompanies her in her despair, commits herself to being a part of Naomi’s life, no matter what. Ruth says: "Wherever you will go, I will go; wherever you dwell, I will dwell." Ruth is the symbol for God, standing with us, bringing us hope, strength and assurance even in our worst moments. Naomi provides Ruth with an opportunity to give love and support, and Ruth provides for Naomi’s needs, showing her that hope is the only antidote for despair. Both women give, and in so doing, both women receive.

-- Excerpted from Torah Commentary for Shavuot 5765, Rabbi Rafael Goldstein

Rabbis Weintraub and Goldstein were member of SeRaF, a National Center for Healing Center project designed to support the development of leadership in the Jewish healing movement and assist in the development of resource material for the field.

These "Spirituality Notes" are excerpts from our monthly E-newsletter. Articles are © JBFCS Rita J. Kaplan Jewish Connections Programs and may be reprinted free of charge as long as this credit line is included.

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