RABBI WEIN ON THE BOOK OF RUTH

With the holiday of Shavuot lurking joyfully just around the corner, I have spent some time reviewing the holy book of Ruth. Traditionally read in many synagogues on the holiday, the narrative quality of this book itself is masterful and its delineation of the main characters is sharp and arresting. But it is the moral and idealistic quality of the book, especially as it is reflected through the prism of thought and interpretation of the rabbis of the Midrash and the Talmud and the latter commentators, which gives this book its transcendent relevance and importance. It is a book about family destruction and rebuilding, about loyalty to others and self-interest, about hope, faith, despair and loneliness. It is so human in its portrayal of events and people that all who read its story are able to identify with it and aspire to incorporate its greatness into one’s own behavior. The book, authored by the prophet Samuel, speaks to each of us on an individual basis because it was meant to do so.