Undoubtedly the most famous and stirring passage in Megilat Rut is Rut’s resolute response to Naomi when she tried to dissuade her daughter-in-law from returning with her to Eretz Yisrael: “Do not implore me to leave you, to turn away from you, for where you go I will go; where you sleep I will sleep; your nation is my nation and your God is my God. Where you die I will die, and there shall I be interred…” (1:16-17). In these verses, Rut expresses unbridled and unconditional commitment to her mother-in-law. She proclaims that her conversion to the Israelite faith and entry into Naomi’s family, which had taken place years earlier when she married Naomi’s son, would endure regardless of the situation or circumstance. Although her husband is now dead, as is her father-in-law, leaving her mother-in-law penniless and without any reasonable hope of regaining financial stability, she would nevertheless remain by Naomi’s side regardless of what this might entail. In this story, Rut shows what it means to follow through on a commitment, to remain loyal despite the personal sacrifices that this loyalty demands.
Boaz displays a similar quality later, toward the end of the Megila. He approaches Elimelekh’s relative, who was first in line to buy back Elimelekh’s property, and the relative expresses his willingness to make the acquisition. Then, Boaz informs him that the reclamation of Elimelekh’s lands includes as well the levirate obligation to Rut, and upon hearing this part of the deal the relative withdraws. It is then Boaz, of course, who accepts the responsibility to reclaim Elimelekh’s property and to perpetuate his memory by marrying Rut. The unnamed relative was prepared to follow through on his familial commitment to his kin – but only to a point. Boaz, by contrast, displayed unlimited and unshakable devotion, fulfilling his commitments to their very fullest, regardless of what this may entail.
This theme is perhaps one point of connection between Megilat Rut and the celebration of Matan Torah. The commitment exhibited by Rut and Boaz establishes a model that we must follow in our kabbalat ha-Torah, in our commitment to the study and observance of Torah. Our commitment cannot go only half way. We cannot follow through only when it is convenient and straightforward, and when the demands are low. Our devotion to the word of God must remain steadfast through thick and thin, under all circumstances and conditions, following the inspiring example of Rut’s steadfast devotion to Naomi and Boaz’s steadfast devotion to Elimelekh.
Courtesy of Yeshivat Har Etzion - www.etzion.org.il