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נמצאו 11 תוצאות חיפוש

Megillath Ruth: Paradigm of Kindness and Mother of Kingship
Part 1
Dr. Yael Ziegler |
This series will look at Ruth in its Biblical contexts. The end of the Megilla lists the lineage of King David, who is Ruth's progeny. Is monarchy a biblical ideal? Ruth exemplifies chesed, and often goes far beyond what we would expect from regular people. It provides a hope of counteracting the danger of tyranny which often comes with monarchy by ensuring that David is genetically pre-disposed to extreme chesed and unselfishness.
Purim's Significance a Few Years Later: The Return to Zion
Chazal's Preambles to Megillat Esther: Part 7
Rabbi Moshe Taragin | 17 דקות
This shiur explores linguistic and thematic parallels between Megillat Esther and the Book of Ezra. The two texts share similar events, motifs, and apparatus of recovery in situations of crisis - perhaps most significantly that of fasting. Ezra's confessional prayer seems to suggest that he derives inspiration and hope from God's Hand which, while hidden, is ever-present, as in the events of Megillat Esther.
Ruth's Kindness as a Model for Monarchy
Dr. Yael Ziegler |
The extreme kindness demonstrated by Ruth is almost self-effacing, and cannot be used as a model emulated by regular people. What, then, is the purpose of this book?

Ruth is the matriarch of the dynasty of David. The nature of monarchy can lead to the king's misuse of his power to promote his own interests, at the expense of the nation. Extreme kindness, chessed, and concern for others, can protect the king from corruption. Ruth presents a model that can defend a king from his own strength, and ensure that the king channels his powers for the good of the nation.
The Rebirth of Hope
Dr. Yael Ziegler
Naomi's surprise at Ruth's success in bringing home food from gleaning leads to suspicion in Ruth's behavior. Ruth's revelation that Boaz was responsible for her success gives new hope to Naomi. Ruth and Boaz are paralleled as two characters that embody selfless kindness to others.
Actions and Rewards
A Harmonious Story, Part II
Dr. Yael Ziegler
Ruth’s decision to accompany Naomi to Bethlehem does not produce the expected negative results. Ruth's determined kindness devotion to Naomi ultimately lead her to receive kind treatment from Boaz. The tragedy at the outset is resolved and the harmonious nature of the book paves way for the Monarchy of King David.
Levirate Marriage in Megillat Ruth
Dr. Yael Ziegler
Ruth and Boaz's union is not a Levirate Marriage, but Levirate Marriages are alluded to many times and share a common theme to Boaz's redemption of Ruth. The union, at a great personal cost, establishes an heir for the deceased and cares for a widow who due to her Moavite ancestry is deemed commonly as unsuitable.
Megillat Ruth - Structure and Overview
Rabbi Dr. Yehoshua Reiss
The Book of Ruth describes the transition from starvation and death, described in the first five verses of the book, to the hope and redemption of the final five verses describing the generations leading to the birth of David, King of Israel. The main theme of the storyline is driven by acts of hessed (kindness), leading toward redemption performed by the antagonists of the story.
The Drama of Ruth
Rabbi Mosheh Lichtenstein
תאריך פרסום: תשע"ו | | שעה ו- 7 דקות
The Book of Ruth opens with a situation of dire straits: Boaz leaves the Land because of despair, and Naomi cannot rebuild when she returns. The actions and interactions of Ruth and Boaz, however, serve as a model of true soulmates who embody the deepest, highest level of chessed (kindness). These relationships transcend merely helping an older lady or a poor maiden.

As we examine these relationships, parallels from Iyov, the mitzva of Yibum and the story of Yehuda and Tamar further highlight the significance of the personalities in Ruth.
The Night at the Threshing Floor: Uncovering the Motives of Naomi, Ruth and Boaz
Dr. Mordechai Sabato
The unique quality of Megillat Ruth stems from the fact that the problem arising from Ruth's remarkable loyalty to Naomi was overcome by Boaz's extraordinary strength. Boaz understood that he must not allow Ruth's kindness towards Naomi to fade into the dark of night at the threshing floor. In a rare demonstration of profound understanding of the soul of another, Boaz recognized the purity of Ruth's motives, and thus blessed her, rather than cursing her.

Why did Naomi send Ruth to the threshing floor in a way that could negatively reflect on Ruth, herself, and Boaz? What were Naomi's motives and objectives, and does the Tanakh approve of Naomi's plan? We compare Megillat Ruth's challenges and tests of character with other stories in Tanakh to appreciate the pivotal moment of the Megilla.

Translated by David Silverberg
Ruth and Boaz: Mirror Characters
Dr. Yael Ziegler
Ruth’s generosity reverses the downward spiral of the megilla’s narrative and launches its arduous movement toward resolution. Ruth, however, cannot act independently. Everything she ultimately offers Naomi (food, children) is given to her by Boaz, who is also portrayed as a paragon of generosity. If the first critical shift in the book is initiated by Ruth, its final pivot is completed by Boaz. It may be most accurate to conclude that the success of the narrative rests upon the coming together of this couple.

Ruth and Boaz’s marriage represents the conjoining of two similar personalities, whose traits are ideal for producing both the personal solution for Naomi’s tragedy and the national solution for the self-centered, miserly, and slothful society during the period of the judges. In order to convey the similarity between Boaz and Ruth and highlight the important traits that they share, the Book of Ruth presents several linguistic parallels between these characters.
Eikev: What Does It Mean To Be A Good Person? Part I
Rabbi David Fohrman |
In this week's parsha, Moshe tells the nation exactly what God wants of us, but the prophet Micah makes a similar speech many generations later and exhorts the people very differently. Why? Rabbi Fohrman takes us into Micah's speech and explains the critical building blocks to being a good person.

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