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Reading Ruth: Contemporary Women Reclaim a Sacred Story

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I have always found the book of Ruth interesting, and had read all the midrash (stories, commentaries, thoughts, lessons, etc.) written on it. All the traditional midrash, however, were written by men, and are hundreds of year old. This book was a refreshing change: Stories, poems, essays, and thoughts on the biblical book of Ruth all written recently by women. We read this book in my Jewish Women's Book Discussion Group, and it was the only book whose discussion had to be continued for a second session.

No book of the Bible so clearly calls for a women's commentary than the Book of Ruth. Not only are the two central characters both women, but their relationship is the engine which drives the plot and is what accounts for much of our affection for the book. Reading Ruth, edited by Judith Kates and Gail Twersky Reimer is so successful that no one wanting modern views of this book can ignore it.
It begins with the Hebrew text of Ruth, plus the JPS translation, followed by a commentary on selected verses by Ruth Sohn, which sometimes focuses on midrash or spiritual implications of the verse
Next is the heart of the book, 7 sections, each anchored to a single verse. Some are familiar ("For whereever you will go, I will go ....") And others puzzling ("A son is born to Naomi" --- when the son was actually born to Ruth). For each, there are 2-4 essays that deal, in some way, with that verse.
These vary widely; there is no set of controlling parameters for this book. Aviva Zornberg is quite traditional, delving into midrash in a wide ranging attempt to fundamentally characterize the actions of Naomi, Ruth and Boaz. Rebecca Albert is utterly radical, presenting lesbian readings on the relationship of Ruth and Naomi and uses of the story ("less plausible midrashim have been accepted throughout the ages" she notes). Vanessa Ochs expresses her disappointment that Ruth seems to be almost erased: "Is this the Book of Ruth or is it the Book of Naomi?" Looking at the end, she decides it's neither --- the genealogy seems to obliterate all the women. Nehama Aschkenasy has a careful look at how women use language to create a form of power. Marianne Hirsch focuses on this rarity in western literature, such a strong bond between a woman and her mother-in law, bringing in her own positive relationship with mother-in-law. Patricia Karlin-Neumann draws a similarity between Job and Naomi, in how their suffering produces isolation.
And if you were to sample just one essay, read Gail Twersky Reimer's "Her Mother's House". Working purely with the text --- no midrash --- she presents Ruth as establishing another model of "woman's relationship to motherhood" --- Ruth as a woman who doesn't particularly want children, but has one anyhow. Skillfully drawing both on things mentioned (Naomi becoming the foster mother) and things unsaid (there is no mention of Ruth suffering as a result of about 10 years of childless marriage), she makes a compelling case for this reading, contrasting Ruth with Naomi's intense preoccupation with children.
Also included is a short and fairly intense play, based on a women's discussion group focussing on the Book of Ruth, six "poetic movements" and some lovely woodcuts (complete with explanations!). Alas, no index.
This book sets an extraordinary standard for an anthology of commentary on a single book.

The Book of Ruth is familiar to most of us- we traditionally read it during Shavuot. On the surface Ruth is a pleasant story of a young woman who returns to Israel with her mother-in-law after the deaths of thier husbands. But the very simplicity of the story raises many questions. Until this collection of midrashim - interpertations and extentions of the story to fill in the gaps- that is where the matter lay. Now is it possible to read what contemporary well educated women think about this story and the questions raised. If you've never studied a Midrash, this is a good place to begin. If you have studied Midrashim, you will see how different the prespectives are in this book. Other writings on Ruth are both very old and written exclusively by men. This book is a must for anyone who enjoys studying and values a full perspective.

I had to buy it for a cousin in Germany, so sight unseen (except for what the seller said), bought it and shipped it to her w/o looking at it. She rec'd it and said it was perfect for what she needed. Thanks!

This book includes a variety of essays (as well as poems and even a short play) on Ruth from a variety of points of view: from traditional to secular, from scholarly to fictional. The only thing that these works have in common is that they were written by women.

Some of the essays are quite illuminating. For example, Judith Kates and Suzanne Klingenstein suggest one reason why Ruth is traditionally read on Shavuot: Shavuot commemorates the revelation of Torah, and the book of Ruth discusses a Torah-oriented society at its best. Bethlehem's Jews integrate Ruth and Naomi into their society by following four Biblical commandments: (1) allowing the poor to glean in fields (as Ruth does in Boaz's field), (2) redemption of a relative's property (as Boaz does for Naomi), (3) levirate marriage and (4) acceptance of converts.

These essays add that the characters in Ruth not only follow Jewish law, but go beyond the letter of the law to show lovingkindness and generosity. For example, Boaz does not merely allow Ruth to glean in his fields (as the Torah requires), but gives her extra food and orders his employees to look after her. And although he is only obligated to marry the wife of a dead brother if he dies without children, Boaz marries Ruth, the daughter-in-law of a relative who died after having two sons.

Also of interest are a variety of essays with contrasting views on the Ruth/Naomi relationship. Some suggest that Naomi manipulates a passive Ruth for good purposes; others point out that Ruth does all the physical work and takes some initiative in dealing with Boaz, suggesting that Ruth's energy revitalizes Naomi.

On the other hand, some of the essays are a little bizarre. For example, one essay suggests that Ruth's attraction to Naomi might indicate a lesbian relationship- a theory that overlooks Naomi's attempts to urge Ruth to go back home to Moab.