Final Navi Flashcards
Why does Naomi want Ruth to get married? (2)
1) for Ruth herself
2) for her son machlon, she wants someone who can do יבום
Why is boaz, a wealthy man, sleeping in his factory?
This generation was very corrupt so the only way to keep his stuff safe and not stolen was to guard it himself. And Naomi knew this
Why doesn’t Naomi go to Tov, the closer relative, for יבום?
2
1) boaz has been taking care of Ruth for four months already, he already respects her and takes care of her, so there’s a better shot with him
2) boaz was the one who accepted Ruth because he knew she was allowed to convert
Why does Naomi give Ruth a whole set of instructions instead of telling her to just go to boaz?
Naomi knew that just knocking on huge door wouldn’t get boaz to do יבום. Boaz’ spirituality needed to be aroused. And this was the way to do it.
What 5 steps does Naomi give Ruth and why each?
1) GO AT NIGHT- he learns at night so he’d be on a spiritual high
2) BE PRETTY- boaz would see that Ruth is young and pretty and she can get any other young man, but she wants to be לשם שמים and go for the 80 year old for יבום
3) AFTER HE EATS AND DRINKS- he is very busy with a lot of people at that time, she needs ts to be personal and private or it won’t work
4) UNCOVER HIS FEET- shoes symbolize חלידה- when a man doesn’t want to do יבום, so she’s throwing him she wants יבום.
5) LIE DOWN, WAIT FOR INSTRUCTIONS- she gets out of the way and doesn’t stand so she’s not hovering over him and startling him when he wakes up
What is Ruth’s reaction to what Naomi told her to do? What do we see about Ruth from this?
She told Naomi- everything you say I will do. It shows Ruth has אמונת חכמים.
The pasuk says Ruth did everything LIKE all Naomi said, why didn’t she do it exactly? What should we learn from Ruth here?
Naomi told her to dress nicely and then go down there. But Ruth thought she doesn’t want to attract unnecessary attention on the way there, so she changed when she got there.
Ruth didn’t need the attention of others to make herself feel good. See and don’t be seen. You should have self-confidence and value.
Why was boaz’s heart happy? How do we know?
He just finished learning Torah- we know because it has to be Torah, because Torah is the only tng that gives us true happiness
Why does the pasuk suddenly call boaz an איש?
Because of his reaction to Ruth- it was like a tsadik. Before he screams and goes crazy he founds out what’s going on first. Only a person with Torah training can have this ability
When boaz says “let it not be known that a woman came to the factory”, who is he talking to?
Hashem- all night long boaz was praying that nobody finds out
Why did boaz pray that no one finds out about Ruth? What do we learn from this?
He didnt want a חילול ד׳ to happen because of him. You can’t damage Hashem but you can damage the way people loo at him and that can’t be fixed.
We as Jews represent Hashem, and the way we respect Him is the way everyone else will view and respect Him. If this was so important to boaz, it means it really is important and we need to take care of it.
What did boaz give Ruth and why? What do we learn from this?
6 measurements of barley- he was worried Naomi would think he doesn’t want to marry her and he’s pushing her away so he’s showing, I still care about you guys and I’m still gonna help you, I’m just not gonna marry her yet
Lesson- if you can’t help someone with something, he’ll them with something else to show that you do care and you want to help even though you can’t
What was Ruth’s perception of the whole night with boaz?
Boaz is a tsadik
Why does Naomi ask Ruth who she is?
She’s asking if she succeeded in getting married
How is Naomi so sure that boaz will take care of the marriage, and that day?
The fact that he’s a tsadik shows that he will do a mitzvah right away- זריזות. It’s not about if you’re lazy or tired, it’s about how much you love Hashem
