The Story of Ruth Ch.2 Beyond Givers and Takers

Rabbi Daniel Rowe

The Book of Ruth is one of the best known and best loved of all the Biblical works of the Jewish Bible. This series explores the hidden levels of depth and meaning. The second chapter introduces Boaz, a wealthy landowner in Bethlehem Judea, who later turns out to be the head of the religious court. The Rabbis identify him with the porphet Ivtzan. On the surface he is the generous caring giver, and she is the dependent poor recipient. But Ruth has entered the Jewish people in order to resolve the imbalance of power between givers and takers. Her solution is one that Boaz himself understands, and the two of them begin to create a new paradigm, beyond givers and takers. Ruth's radical idea will end up transforming the town, the Jewish people, and ultimately our relationship with one another and with Hashem.

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