Dear CBO Families,
With its many facets, Shavuot not only acknowledges the giving of the Torah, but also the journey of a unique woman, Ruth. Ruth’s story may speak to us in our current situation. She shows us how courage and strength can manifest in one person in a dire situation.
Because of famine and the loss of her husband, Ruth join’s her mother-in-law, Naomi in her travel home to Bethlehem in search of food. While Naomi encourages her to go back to her home in Moav, it is loyalty that draws Ruth to follow Naomi. It may have seemed more comfortable to return to her homeland, but her instincts tell her to follow Naomi.
Like Abram and Sarai, she leaves her home because there is food scarcity, so she must adapt and move to avoid starvation. In a unique article in the Forward, Mijal Bitton shares that Ruth “is also rejecting the heritage of her people-by-birth, the Moabites. The Moabites are known in the biblical narrative for turning away the hungry people of Israel who were journeying in the desert seeking bread and water.” Ruth, herself becomes someone who is hungry and is in need of the kindness of others. Israel is a place of plenty at this moment and because of their culture and values embodied by Boaz and enforced by him, Ruth is fed and cared for.
There is a unique contrast of cultures. In Moav, strength is hoarding and keeping everything for yourself, while for the people of Israel, strength is asking for what you need, defending those at risk, and choosing the path less followed.
May we learn from Ruth’s choices and never be ashamed of need, nor afraid of giving.
Chag Sameach, Rabbi Bernstein
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