Redeemer

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1. The Rebirth of Hope

   Dr. Yael Ziegler

   Naomi's surprise at Ruth's success in bringing home food from gleaning leads to suspicion in Ruth's behavior. Ruth's revelation that Boaz was responsible for her success gives new hope to Naomi. Ruth and Boaz are paralleled as two characters that embody selfless kindness to others.

2. Ruth the Moavite

   Dr. Yael Ziegler

   A contrast exists between the Midrash's portrayal of Ruth's inborn modesty and the simple reading of the text which portrays Ruth's learning process with regard to modesty. Naomi embraces Ruth as a partner. Ruth and Naomi deal with two challenges of survival: the short-term one of obtaining food and the long-term one of continuity of progeny.

3. I am Ruth: Self-Identity and Transformation

   Dr. Yael Ziegler

   The relationship between Ruth and Boaz is based on mutual fulfillment of responsibilities and not on love. Ruth crafts Naomi and Boaz's words together in order to confidently claim that Boaz is her redeemer. The veracity of Boaz's claim that there is a growing public of appreciation of Ruth is discussed.

4. Ruth's Redemption

   Dr. Yael Ziegler

   Ruth's request for Boaz to act as a redeemer may be a request to buy the family land or a request for marriage. The personal redemption of Ruth alludes more deeply to the national redemption from the chaos of the Judges period to the stability of the Monarchy of King David and to the future redemption. 

5. Boaz and Ploni Almoni

   Dr. Yael Ziegler

   Who is the main character of the book – Ruth or Naomi? Elimelech and Naomi deal with the problems of famine and children in ways that represent the era of the Judges, while Ruth and Boaz's solutions represent a new way. The potential redeemer is nameless because he refuses to establish his deceased relative's name.

6. A Matter of Law: Elimelekh's Field

   Dr. Yael Ziegler

   Boaz convenes a public transaction at the gate of the city. Naomi's field might have been sold before leaving for Moav or upon her return. It appears that her land is being sold at the present time. Boaz makes a questionable link between the sale of the field to the marriage to Ruth.

7. Three Forms of Redemption in Megillat Ruth

   Dr. Yael Ziegler

   In the fateful nighttime encounter on the threshing floor, Boaz is startled to find someone lying at his feet:

    

   And he said, “Who are you?” And she replied, “I am Ruth, your maidservant. Spread your wings (khenafekha) over your maidservant, for you are a redeemer.” And [Boaz] said, “…And now, even though truly I am a go’el, there is a go’el who is closer than I. Lie here tonight and in the morning, if the redeemer shall redeem you, good, but if he shall not desire to redeem you, I myself shall redeem you, I swear by God. Lie until the morning.” (Ruth 3:9-13)

    

   What is the meaning of Ruth’s request that Boaz spread his wings over her, and her statement that Boaz is a redeemer? Targum, Rashi, Ibn Ezra, and Ramban assume that Ruth’s request for Boaz to spread his kanaf over her is a request for marriage. 

   Nevertheless, it is less clear what Ruth means when she states plainly, “For you are the go’el.” In what way does this relate to Ruth’s previous request? Is it also a bid for marriage, which Ruth terms her redemption, or does this refer to Boaz’s ostensible duty to buy Naomi’s property?