Naomi and Ruth - Loyalty, Kindness, and the Courage to Begin Again

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Introduction: Why Do We Read Ruth?

In Jewish tradition, we read Megillat Ruth on Shavuot, the festival celebrating the giving of the Torah. At first, this seems surprising. Ruth is not about miracles, prophecy, or kings—at least not at the beginning.

Instead, it is a quiet story about:

  • Hunger and survival

  • Loss and grief

  • Loyalty between two women

  • Daily acts of kindness

Judaism teaches that great holiness often hides in ordinary life.

The Beginning: Famine and Fear

The story opens during the time of the Judges (Shoftim), a period of instability. There is a famine in the land of Israel.

Naomi and her husband Elimelech leave Bethlehem—a name that means “House of Bread”—because there is no bread.

The Midrash criticizes Elimelech:

He left the land not because there was nothing, but because he feared sharing what he had.

Judaism teaches that difficult times test not only our faith, but our sense of responsibility to others.

Naomi’s Loss

In the land of Moab, tragedy strikes.

Naomi loses:

  • Her husband

  • Her two sons

She is left with two daughters-in-law: Orpah and Ruth.

Naomi’s pain is so deep that she later says:

“Do not call me Naomi (pleasant). Call me Mara (bitter).”

Judaism does not deny grief.
The Torah allows space for:

  • Anger

  • Sadness

  • Honest words toward God

Naomi’s Kindness Even in Grief

Despite her pain, Naomi urges her daughters-in-law to return home. She wants them to have:

  • Security

  • Family

  • A future

This is chesed—loving-kindness.

True kindness, Judaism teaches, means:

Wanting what is best for another—even when it means being alone.

Orpah leaves with tears.

Ruth stays.

Ruth’s Choice: Loyalty Beyond Obligation

Ruth’s words are among the most famous in the Tanakh:

“Where you go, I will go.
Your people are my people.
Your God is my God.”

From a Jewish perspective, this is not romance.
It is commitment.

The Midrash teaches:

  • Ruth chooses poverty over comfort

  • Uncertainty over safety

  • Faith over familiarity

Ruth becomes the model convert in Judaism—not because of words, but because of actions.

Conversion as a Jewish Value

Judaism does not seek converts, but honors those who choose Torah freely.

Ruth teaches:

  • Judaism is lived through deeds

  • Belonging comes through loyalty and kindness

  • Faith is shown in daily behavior

The Torah commands:

“Love the convert.”

Why?
Because the Jewish people were once strangers themselves.

Naomi and Ruth Return to Bethlehem

When Naomi and Ruth return, the town whispers:

“Is this Naomi?”

She answers:

“The Almighty has dealt bitterly with me.”

Yet notice something powerful:
Naomi returns with Ruth.

Judaism teaches:

God’s kindness often arrives quietly, in human form.

Ruth becomes Naomi’s future—even before Naomi can see it.

Ruth Gleans in the Fields

Ruth goes to gather leftover grain, a right given to the poor by Torah law.

This is not charity—it is justice.

Judaism commands landowners to leave food for:

  • The poor

  • The widow

  • The stranger

Ruth meets Boaz, a man of integrity and kindness.

Boaz sees Ruth not as a Moabite, but as:

“A woman of valor.”

Redemption Through Kindness

Boaz redeems Naomi’s family land and marries Ruth.

But the Torah emphasizes something surprising:
The women of the town praise Naomi, not Boaz.

They say:

“Your daughter-in-law, who loves you, is better to you than seven sons.”

Judaism elevates:

  • Loyalty over power

  • Kindness over status

  • Quiet faith over public heroism

From Loss to Legacy

Ruth becomes the great-grandmother of King David.

Judaism teaches:

Redemption often begins in suffering.

From famine comes fullness.
From grief comes continuity.
From a foreign woman comes Israel’s greatest king.

What This Teaches Us Today

For beginners, the lessons are clear:

  1. Kindness can change destiny

  2. Faith is shown in loyalty, not speeches

  3. Judaism values action over perfection

  4. Beginnings can come at any age

  5. No one is too broken to build something new

Closing Teaching

Naomi teaches us how to survive loss.
Ruth teaches us how to choose hope.

Together, they teach that:

  • Love is built through responsibility

  • Faith is lived through action

  • And God’s presence is found in loyalty and kindness

May we learn from Naomi to speak honestly,
from Ruth to act courageously,
and from both to build a future—even after loss.

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