This coming weekend we will celebrate Shavuot, the festival of weeks. The significance of this festival has changed over time. It was initially a pilgrimage festival which saw Jews travel to Jerusalem with their harvest. Over time, it has become known as Chag Matan Torah – the festival of the giving of the Torah.

During Shavuot we traditionally eat and drink dairy produce, study Torah into the early hours of the morning and read from Megillat Rut, the Book of Ruth. 

Megillat Rut is an enigmatic and unique biblical text in a number of ways. Its central role of female characters and concerns with the plight of an outsider protagonist have made it popular in contemporary feminist readings.

In many ways, the core themes of Megillat Rut can be seen as a call to action in line with King David’s strong values of inclusivity, egalitarianism and social justice. A close reading shows how we can constantly breathe new life into our ancient texts and find ways in which they challenge and intrigue us.

The megillah follows the story of Ruth, a Moabite widow who chooses loyalty to her Israelite mother-in-law, Naomi, following the deaths of both of their husbands. Ruth chooses to follow Naomi to Bethlehem rather than stay in Moab. She is concerned with Naomi’s wellbeing as she has no means of income. She is able to support their existence by taking leftover crops from the fields of Boaz. Eventually prompted by Naomi, Ruth approaches Boaz with what Allison J. van Tilborgh describes in Medium as like a radical “female-to-male proposal of marriage”. Boaz is obliged to follow the tradition and first offer Ruth to be married to a closer relative, but upon his refusal, Boaz marries her. 

Their subsequent marriage leads to the birth of Obed, King David’s grandfather.

The megillah can be understood to reflect inclusivity due to the warmth with which Ruth is accepted. Ruth is not an Israelite but contrary to other biblical texts, she is accepted due to her character and actions and ultimately rewarded as a matriarch of the future King of Israel. In some ways the megillah both supports and rejects the egalitarian principles that we hold dear. While it ultimately provides space for independent women and gives serious consideration to their welfare, it is only through adherence to the patriarchal ideals of marriage and motherhood that Ruth is ultimately redeemed. 

The book also talks to our concerns of social justice – it describes the challenges of poverty and the requirements to look after those who cannot fend for themselves. It also instructs us to recognise the dignity and worth of every individual no matter their background. 

This Shavuot, our students will participate in a range of fun activities including a cheesecake Masterchef and a King David Tikkun Leil event which will see students learning deep into the night. I hope that, like me, they can find a way to interact with our ancient traditions in a manner that allows for them to reflect on our contemporary lives and values and make meaning of their burgeoning Jewish identities.  

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach.