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Names of the Book

RUTH GLEANING- James Tissot

English:  Ruth
Hebrew:  רוּת
Transliterated:  Rut
Other names:   

 

whoWho

Wrote the book:  unknown (possibly Samuel)
Are the key people:  Ruth, Naomi, Boaz
Is it written to:  The people of Israel

 

whatWhat

Ruth's faithfulness to Naomi (Ruth 1:1-2)
Ruth's humility before Boaz (Ruth 2:1-23)
Ruth's obedience to Naomi (Ruth 3:1-18)
Ruth's redemption by Boaz (Ruth 4:1-22)

 

whenWhen

Was it written:  c 1375-1050 BCE
Did the events occur:  c 1310-1210 BCE
Was it canonized:  c 499-100 BCE
(see the Timeline of the Tanakh)

 

whereWhere

Was it written:  unknown place in Israel
Did the events occur:  Moab, Israel, Bethlehem

 

whyWhy

Ruth was written to inform us that: 
G-d desires faithfulness
G-d desires kindness
G-d desires integrity
G-d provides protection
G-d provides prosperity and blessing

 

whyIntroduction

The book of Ruth is a historical narrative about a young woman from the nation of Moab who marries an Israelite and is widowed at a young age.  Ruth, out of love for her Israelite mother-in-law, abandons her own culture and declares, "Your people shall be my people, and your G-d my G-d" (Ruth 1:16).  Though she was impoverished and had to rely upon the benevolence of others, Ruth's character and demeanor brings her to the attention of Boaz, a close relative of her deceased husband.  Boaz fulfills the role of kinsman-redeemer, takes Ruth as his wife, and she gives birth to Obed, the grandfather of King David. This book serves as a beautiful illustration of G-d's providential care of Israel and of His willingness to bring Gentiles out of their nations and into His own.

 

 

Torah Portion

unknown

 

 

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Today is

Yom Sh'lishi, 9 Adar II, 5784

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

 

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