Shavuot Week - Day #7 (Officially Day #2)

Shavout Week - Day #7   (Officially Day #2)

Main Reading: Deuteronomy 15:19–16:17

Maftir: Numbers 28:26–31

Haftarah: Habakkuk 2:20–3:19

Deuteronomy 15:19–16:17

15:19 You shall dedicate all the firstborn males that are born of your herd and of your flock to Hashem your Elohim. You shall do no work with the firstborn of your herd, nor shear the firstborn of your flock. 20 You shall eat it before Hashem your Elohim year by year in the place which Hashem shall choose, you and your household. 21 If it has any defect—is lame or blind, or has any defect whatever, you shall not sacrifice it to Hashem your Elohim. 22 You shall eat it within your gates. The unclean and the clean shall eat it alike, as the gazelle and as the deer. 23 Only you shall not eat its blood. You shall pour it out on the ground like water.

16:1 Observe the month of Abib, and keep the Passover to Hashem your Elohim; for in the month of Abib Hashem your Elohim brought you out of Egypt by night. 2 You shall sacrifice the Passover to Hashem your Elohim, of the flock and the herd, in the place which Hashem shall choose to cause His name to dwell there. 3 You shall eat no leavened bread with it. You shall eat unleavened bread with it seven days, even the bread of affliction (for you came out of the of Egypt in haste) that you may remember the day when you came out of the land of Egypt all the days of your life. 4 No yeast shall be seen with you in all your borders seven days; neither shall any of the meat, which you sacrifice the first day at evening, remain all night until the morning. 5 You may not sacrifice the Passover within any of your gates which Hashem your Elohim gives you; 6 but at the place which Hashem your Elohim shall choose to cause His name to dwell in, there you shall sacrifice the Passover at evening, at the going down of the sun, at the season that you came out of Egypt. 

7 You shall roast and eat it in the place which Hashem, your Elohim, chooses. In the morning, you shall return to your tents. 8 Six days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the seventh day shall be a solemn assembly to Hashem your Elohim. You shall do no work.

9 You shall count for yourselves seven weeks. From the time you begin to put the sickle to the standing grain, you shall begin to count seven weeks. 10 You shall keep the feast of weeks to Hashem your Elohim with a tribute of a free will offering of your hand, which you shall give according to how Hashem your Elohim blesses you. 11 You shall rejoice before Hashem your Elohim: you, your son, your daughter, your male servant, your female servant, the Levite who is within your gates, the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow who are among you, in the place which Hashem your Elohim shall choose to cause His name to dwell there. 12 You shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt. You shall observe and do these statutes.

13 You shall keep the feast of booths seven days, after you have gathered in from your threshing floor and from your wine press. 14 You shall rejoice in your feast, you, your son, your daughter, your male servant, your female servant, the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow who are within your gates. 15 You shall keep a feast to Hashem your Elohim seven days in the place which Hashem chooses, because Hashem your Elohim will bless you in all your increase and in all the work of your hands, and you shall be altogether joyful. 16 Three times in a year, all of your males shall appear before Hashem your Elohim in the place which He chooses: in the feast of unleavened bread, in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of booths. They shall not appear before Hashem empty. 17 Every man shall give as he is able, according to Hashem your Elohim’s blessing which He has given you.

Maftir: Numbers 28:26–31 

28:26 “Also in the day of the first fruits, when you offer a new meal offering to Hashem in your feast of weeks, you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work; 27 but you shall offer a burnt offering for a pleasant aroma to Hashem: two young bulls, one ram, seven male lambs a year old; 28 and their meal offering, fine flour mixed with oil, three tenths for each bull, two tenths for the one ram, 29 one tenth for every lamb of the seven lambs; 30 and one male goat, to make atonement for you. 31 Besides the continual burnt offering and its meal offering, you shall offer them and their drink offerings. See that they are without defect.

Haftarah: Habakkuk 2:20–3:19 

2:20 But Hashem is in His holy temple. Let all the earth be silent before Him!”

3:1 A prayer of Habakkuk, the prophet, set to victorious music.

2 Hashem, I have heard of Your fame.
    I stand in awe of your deeds, Hashem.
Renew your work in the middle of the years.
    In the middle of the years, make it known.
    In wrath, you remember mercy.

3 Hashem came from Teman,
    the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah.

His glory covered the heavens,
    and His praise filled the earth.

4 His splendor is like the sunrise.
    Rays shine from His hand, where His power is hidden.

5 Plague went before Him,
    and pestilence followed His feet.

6 He stood and shook the earth.

   

  He looked, and made the nations tremble.
    The ancient mountains were crumbled.
    The age-old hills collapsed.
    His ways are eternal.

7 I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction.
    The dwellings of the land of Midian trembled.

8 Was Hashem displeased with the rivers?
    Was Your anger against the rivers,
    or Your wrath against the sea,
    that You rode on Your horses,
    on Your chariots of salvation?

9 You uncovered Your bow.
    You called for Your sworn arrows. Selah.
You split the earth with rivers.

10 The mountains saw You, and were afraid.
    The storm of waters passed by.
    The deep roared and lifted up its hands on high.

11 The sun and moon stood still in the sky
    at the light of your arrows as they went,
    at the shining of Your glittering spear.

12 You marched through the land in wrath.
    You threshed the nations in anger.

13 You went out for the salvation of Your people,
    for the salvation of Your anointed.
You crushed the head of the land of wickedness.
    You stripped them head to foot. Selah.

14 You pierced the heads of his warriors with their own spears.
    They came as a whirlwind to scatter me,
    gloating as if to devour the wretched in secret.

15 You trampled the sea with Your horses,
    churning mighty waters.

16 I heard, and my body trembled.
    My lips quivered at the voice.
Rottenness enters into my bones, and I tremble in my place
    because I must wait quietly for the day of trouble,
    for the coming up of the people who invade us.

17 For even though the fig tree doesn’t flourish,
    nor fruit be in the vines,
    the labor of the olive fails,
    the fields yield no food,
    the flocks are cut off from the fold,
    and there is no herd in the stalls,

18 yet I will rejoice in Hashem.
    I will be joyful in the Elohim of my salvation!

19 Hashem, the Elohim,  is my strength.
    He makes my feet like deer’s feet,
    and enables me to go in high places.

For the music director, on my stringed instruments

Today’s Meditation:

Habakkuk says it completely in verse 2 above, “Hashem, I have heard of Your fame. I stand in awe of your deeds, Hashem.” During this Feast of Weeks (Shavuot), not only do we remember His command to honor it, but most importantly, we honor Hashem for all He has done.

We stand in awe of Hashem's deeds. He has given us all that we have. He has created us to be all that we are. It is because of His love that we exist today. This Shavuot, remember to praise Hashem our Elohim with all your heart, soul, and strength. He has given us Torah. Through it we find eternal life.

Shavout Week - Day #6 (Officially Day #1)

Shavout Week - Day #6   (Officially Day #1)

Main Reading: Exodus Chapters 19:1-20:23                                                                Maftir: Numbers 28:26-31                                                                                             

Haftarah: Ezekiel 1:1-28, 3:12

Exodus: 19:1-20:23

19:1 In the third month after the children of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that same day, they came into the wilderness of Sinai. 2 When they had departed from Rephidim, and had come to the wilderness of Sinai, they encamped in the wilderness; and there Israel encamped before the mountain. 3 Moses went up to Hashem, and Hashem called to him out of the mountain, saying, “This is what you shall tell the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession from among all peoples; for all the earth is Mine; 6 and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”

7 Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which Hashem commanded him. 8 All the people answered together, and said, “All that Hashem has spoken we will do.”

Moses reported the words of the people to Hashem. 9 Hashem said to Moses, “Behold, I come to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever.” Moses told the words of the people to Hashem. 10 Hashem said to Moses, “Go to the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments, 11 and be ready for the third day; for on the third day Hashem will come down in the sight of all the people on Mount Sinai. 12 You shall set bounds to the people all around, saying, ‘Be careful that you don’t go up onto the mountain, or touch its border. Whoever touches the mountain shall be surely put to death. 13 No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot through; whether it is animal or man, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds long, they shall come up to the mountain.”

14 Moses went down from the mountain to the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes. 15 He said to the people, “Be ready by the third day. Don’t have sexual relations with a woman.”

16 On the third day, when it was morning, there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain, and the sound of an exceedingly loud trumpet; and all the people who were in the camp trembled. 17 Moses led the people out of the camp to meet Hashem, and they stood at the lower part of the mountain. 18 All of Mount Sinai smoked, because Hashem descended on it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly. 19 When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and Hashem answered him by a voice. 20 Hashem came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. Hashem called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.

21 Hashem said to Moses, “Go down, warn the people, lest they break through to Hashem to gaze, and many of them perish. 22 Let the priests also, who come near to Hashem, sanctify themselves, lest Hashem break out on them.”

23 Moses said to Hashem, “The people can’t come up to Mount Sinai, for you warned us, saying, ‘Set bounds around the mountain, and sanctify it.’”

24 Hashem said to him, “Go down! You shall bring Aaron up with you, but don’t let the priests and the people break through to come up to Hashem, lest He break out against them.”

25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.

20:1 Hashem spoke all these words, saying, 2 “I am Hashem your Elohim, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

3 “You shall have no other gods before Me. 4 You shall not make for yourselves an idol, nor any image of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them, for I, Hashem your Elohim, am a jealous Elohim, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate Me, 6 and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love Me and keep My commandments.

7 “You shall not misuse the name of Hashem your Elohim, for Hashem will not hold him guiltless who misuses His name.

8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 You shall labor six days, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Hashem your Elohim. You shall not do any work in it, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your livestock, nor your stranger who is within your gates; 11 for in six days Hashem made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore Hashem blessed the Sabbath day, and made it holy.

12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which Hashem your Elohim gives you.

13 “You shall not murder.

14 “You shall not commit adultery.

15 “You shall not steal.

16 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”

18 All the people perceived the thunderings, the lightnings, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking. When the people saw it, they trembled and stayed at a distance. 19 They said to Moses, “Speak with us yourself, and we will listen; but don’t let Hashem speak with us, lest we die.”

20 Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid, for Hashem has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, that you won’t sin.” 21 The people stayed at a distance, and Moses came near to the thick darkness where Hashem was.

22 Hashem said to Moses, “This is what you shall tell the children of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen that I have talked with you from heaven. 23 You shall most certainly not make gods of silver or gods of gold for yourselves to be alongside Me.

Maftir: Numbers 28:26-31

28:26 “‘Also in the day of the first fruits, when you offer a new meal offering to Hashem in your feast of weeks, you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work; 27 but you shall offer a burnt offering for a pleasant aroma to Hashem: two young bulls, one ram, seven male lambs a year old; 28 and their meal offering, fine flour mixed with oil, three tenths for each bull, two tenths for the one ram, 29 one tenth for every lamb of the seven lambs; 30 and one male goat, to make atonement for you. 31 Besides the continual burnt offering and its meal offering, you shall offer them and their drink offerings. See that they are without defect.

Haftarah: Ezekiel 1:1-28, 3:12

1:1 Now in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river Chebar, the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of Hashem.

2 In the fifth of the month, which was the fifth year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity, 3 Hashem’s word came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and Hashem’s hand was there on him.

4 I looked, and behold, a stormy wind came out of the north: a great cloud, with flashing lightning, and a brightness around it, and out of the middle of it as it were glowing metal, out of the middle of the fire. 5 Out of its center came the likeness of four living creatures. This was their appearance: They had the likeness of a man. 6 Everyone had four faces, and each one of them had four wings. 7 Their feet were straight feet. The sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf’s foot; and they sparkled like burnished bronze. 8 They had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides. The four of them had their faces and their wings like this: 9 Their wings were joined to one another. They didn’t turn when they went. Each one went straight forward.

10 As for the likeness of their faces, they had the face of a man. The four of them had the face of a lion on the right side. The four of them had the face of an ox on the left side. The four of them also had the face of an eagle. 11 Such were their faces. Their wings were spread out above. Two wings of each one touched another, and two covered their bodies. 12 Each one went straight forward. Where the spirit was to go, they went. They didn’t turn when they went. 13 As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches. The fire went up and down among the living creatures. The fire was bright, and lightning went out of the fire. 14 The living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.

15 Now as I saw the living creatures, behold, there was one wheel on the earth beside the living creatures, for each of the four faces of it. 16 The appearance of the wheels and their work was like a beryl. The four of them had one likeness. Their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel within a wheel. 17 When they went, they went in their four directions. They didn’t turn when they went. 18 As for their rims, they were high and dreadful; and the four of them had their rims full of eyes all around.

19 When the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them. When the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up. 20 Wherever the spirit was to go, they went. The spirit was to go there. The wheels were lifted up beside them; for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels. 21 When those went, these went. When those stood, these stood. When those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up beside them; for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.

22 Over the head of the living creature, there was the likeness of an expanse, like an awesome crystal to look at, stretched out over their heads above. 23 Under the expanse, their wings were straight, one toward the other. Each one had two which covered on this side, and each one had two which covered their bodies on that side. 24 When they went, I heard the noise of their wings like the noise of great waters, like the voice of the Almighty, a noise of tumult like the noise of an army. When they stood, they let down their wings.

25 There was a voice above the expanse that was over their heads. When they stood, they let down their wings. 26 Above the expanse that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone. On the likeness of the throne was a likeness as the appearance of a man on it above. 27 I saw as it were glowing metal, as the appearance of fire within it all around, from the appearance of his waist and upward; and from the appearance of his waist and downward I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him. 28 As the appearance of the rainbow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around.

Ezekiel 3:12

3:12 Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me the voice of a great rushing, saying, “Blessed be Hashem’s glory from His place.”

Today’s Meditation:

Shavuot is about offering your firstfruits. You may not be a farmer, but as a follower of Hashem, you are able to give the firstfruits of many things He has given you. Think about returning to Him a portion of your finances by supporting a worthy cause. Or giving back a portion of your blessings through prayer and worship. The best way to give back to Hashem is to give to others. Help people in need around you with acts of kindness and service.

It is important to remember and celebrate Hashem’s holy feasts, and this is one of them. Try to attend a convocation of believers. Remember to try to serve Hashem and serve others.

Shavuot Week - Day #5

Shavout Week - Day #5

Main Reading: Ruth 4:1-22

 

4:1 Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there. Behold, the near kinsman of whom Boaz spoke came by. Boaz said to him, “Come over here, friend, and sit down!” He came over and sat down. 2 Boaz took ten men of the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here,” and they sat down. 3 He said to the near kinsman, “Naomi, who has come back out of the country of Moab, is selling the parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech’s. 4 I thought I should tell you, saying, ‘Buy it before those who sit here, and before the elders of my people.’ If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if you will not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know. For there is no one to redeem it besides you, and I am after you.”

He said, “I will redeem it.”

5 Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must buy it also from Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead on his inheritance.”

6 The near kinsman said, “I can’t redeem it for myself, lest I endanger my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption for yourself; for I can’t redeem it.”

7 Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning exchanging, to confirm all things: a man took off his sandal, and gave it to his neighbor; and this was the way of formalizing transactions in Israel. 8 So the near kinsman said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself,” then he took off his sandal.

9 Boaz said to the elders and to all the people, “You are witnesses today, that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, from the hand of Naomi. 10 Moreover, Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, I have purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead on his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brothers and from the gate of his place. You are witnesses today.”

11 All the people who were in the gate, and the elders, said, “We are witnesses. May Hashem make the woman who has come into your house like Rachel and like Leah, who both built the house of Israel; and treat you worthily in Ephrathah, and be famous in Bethlehem. 12 Let your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, of the offspring which Hashem will give you by this young woman.”

13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife; and he went in to her, and Hashem enabled her to conceive, and she bore a son. 14 The women said to Naomi, “Blessed be Hashem, who has not left you today without a near kinsman. Let his name be famous in Israel. 15 He shall be to you a restorer of life and sustain you in your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.” 16 Naomi took the child, laid him in her bosom, and became nurse to him. 17 The women, her neighbors, gave him a name, saying, “A son is born to Naomi”. They named him Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.

18 Now this is the history of the generations of Perez: Perez became the father of Hezron, 19 and Hezron became the father of Ram, and Ram became the father of Amminadab, 20 and Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon became the father of Salmon, 21 and Salmon became the father of Boaz, and Boaz became the father of Obed, 22 and Obed became the father of Jesse, and Jesse became the father of David.

Today’s Meditation:

Such a beautiful story of Hashem’s love and redemption. Ruth is widowed, follows her mother-in-law, joins Israel, and gives birth to the grandfather of King David. It seems like Hashem truly rewarded her for her faithfulness to her mother-in-law and for her devotion to following the Elohim of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 

In Ruth’s journey, her dedication is rewarded with a new husband and a very special child. I believe in our times, Hashem wants to do the same. He is the same Elohim, yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He desires us to follow and love Him, just as Ruth did. He wants us to be willing to give up everything to be His obedient people. Her story can become our story. It is full of blessings and rewards.

Shavuot Week - Day #4

Shavout Week - Day #4

Main Reading: Ruth 3:1-18

3:1 Naomi, her mother-in-law, said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you? 2 Now isn’t Boaz our kinsman, with whose maidens you were? Behold, he will be winnowing barley tonight on the threshing floor. 3 Therefore, wash yourself, anoint yourself, get dressed, and go down to the threshing floor; but don’t make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 It shall be, when he lies down, that you shall note the place where he is lying. Then you shall go in, uncover his feet, and lie down. Then he will tell you what to do.”

5 She said to her, “All that you say, I will do.” 6 She went down to the threshing floor, and did everything that her mother-in-law told her. 7 When Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. She came softly, uncovered his feet, and lay down. 8 At midnight, the man was startled and turned himself; and behold, a woman lay at his feet. 9 He said, “Who are you?”

She answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. Therefore, spread the corner of your garment over your servant, for you are a near kinsman.”

10 He said, “You are blessed by Hashem, my daughter. You have shown more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, because you didn’t follow young men, whether poor or rich. 11 Now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do to you all that you say; for all the city of my people knows that you are a worthy woman. 12 Now it is true that I am a near kinsman. However, there is a kinsman nearer than I. 13 Stay this night, and in the morning, if he will perform for you the part of a kinsman, good. Let him do the kinsman’s duty. But if he will not do the duty of a kinsman for you, then I will do the duty of a kinsman for you, as Hashem lives. Lie down until the morning.”

14 She lay at his feet until the morning, then she rose up before one could discern another. For he said, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.” 15 He said, “Bring the mantle that is on you, and hold it.” She held it, and he measured six measures of barley and laid it on her; then he went into the city.

16 When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “How did it go, my daughter?”

She told her all that the man had done for her. 17 She said, “He gave me these six measures of barley; for he said, ‘Don’t go empty to your mother-in-law.’”

18 Then she said, “Wait, my daughter, until you know what will happen; for the man will not rest until he has settled this today.”

Today’s Meditation:

Boaz certainly seems to be carrying out the rules of his people. He respects Ruth's actions and reputation. He also follows the traditions for a kinsman to a widow. She honors his requests, does what he says, and returns to her Naomi the next day. Another example of when people are following Hashem’s Torah is when everyone benefits. Everyone is blessed. Now she waits to see what the future holds.

Shavuot Week - Day #3

Shavout Week - Day #3

Main Reading: Ruth 2:14-23

2:14 She sat beside the reapers, and they passed her parched grain. She ate, was satisfied, and left some of it. 15 When she had risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and don’t reproach her. 16 Also pull out some for her from the bundles, and leave it. Let her glean, and don’t rebuke her.”

17 So she gleaned in the field until evening; and she beat out that which she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah[a] of barley. 18 She took it up and went into the city. Then her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned, and she brought out and gave to her that which she had left after she had had enough.

19 Her mother-in-law said to her, “Where have you gleaned today? Where have you worked? Blessed be he who noticed you.”

She told her mother-in-law, with whom she had worked, “The man’s name with whom I worked today is Boaz.” 20 Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by Hashem, who has not abandoned his kindness to the living and to the dead.” Naomi said to her, “The man is a close relative to us, one of our near kinsmen.”

21 Ruth the Moabitess said, “Yes, he said to me, ‘You shall stay close to my young men until they have finished all my harvest.’”

22 Naomi said to Ruth, her daughter-in-law, “It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his maidens, and that they not meet you in any other field.” 23 So she stayed close to the maidens of Boaz, to glean to the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and she lived with her mother-in-law.

Today’s Meditation:

In this story, we are continuing to learn that people are watching out for Ruth. Boaz seems to be keeping her in his field, with trusted workers and also maidens there for her to associate with. It seems like this is a reward for her faithfulness to Naomi, her mother-in-law. Ruth has developed a reputation for being dedicated and hard-working. The community around her respects her for this. Notably, we should be the same.

The whole story of Ruth reflects Hashem’s commandments coming alive in His people and in those who want to be part of Israel. The instructions Hashem has given through the Torah, and the way to live, are evident in the characters. This is an example of how Hashem wants us to live, and the reason He has given us His rules for doing so. We must be aware and attentive.