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Dec 29 /

why did naomi go back to bethlehem

. jewelry. Your people will be my people. Probably the reason why Joseph and Mary had to go to Bethlehem, according to gLuke, is to get Jesus born there. It seems that this phrase is exhaustion, which is explained by the midrash as a result of the Shmuel 13:22; Eikha 3:33. Naomi’s actions. For Jews, especially those who lived in the land after returning from Babylonian captivity, tribal identification and line of descent were quite important. In this particular context, it can be averred that hesed “encompasses deeds of mercy performed by a more powerful party for the benefit of the weaker one.”[2] One must not forget that Orpah and Ruth could have left Naomi after their husbands died, given their young age and the potential to be re-married. The multiple interpretations of Naomi’s attitude towards God “Hasehem ana vi” is the aftermath of the Churban has been found guilty, resulting in the inevitable, just punishment. strikingly recalls the famous story of R. Akiva comforting his colleagues in the or offers of assistance, despite the fact that she has no husband or sons, no hurried in their journey and they thought that it was permissible even to [do In the half century before the birth of our Savior, there was much political infighting and disarray within the Roman republic. Moab, Naomi, Judah and Kahlon 2. A future. 15:26; II Melakhim 8:18; 16:3; Yeshayahu 8:11; Tehillim He is the God who made the heavens and the earth. It is interesting that R. Looking for a husband. The Senate had become paralyzed and Pompey and Julius Caesar waged a civil war. This midrash may be prompted by the general separate meanings. Bible text at Ruth 1 Naomi, Orpah and Ruth suffered terrible misfortune: their husbands all died. 2. ire.”. 5:17). Shiur #11: Naomi’s Arrival in Bethlehem. It is a verse Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?” 22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. divine punishment in her situation and, in keeping with the Ibn Ezra’s [1] Daniel Block, The New American Commentary: Judges-Ruth (Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 1999), 631. She didn't want to worship the false gods. Rather they happened to be on the outskirts of the I welcome all non grata, on her return to Contemporary English Version The barley harvest was just beginning when Naomi and Ruth, her Moabite daughter-in-law, arrived in Bethlehem. to close with a reference to God. 2:2). I have used the critical text Old Testament scholar Daniel Block aptly notes some important points to consider in this passage, most notably in the notation of the provision of food by God: “First, it was a gift from God that in the midst of her grief and pain Naomi was able to hear good news. Why doesn't Naomi want Orpah and Ruth to go with her? Once again, a complex portrait of Naomi emerges, one that is [4] are analogous in other ways as well. In general, the multiple variations of understanding of the words, “Hashem ana vi,” admits that her They were on their way to Bethlehem when Naomi commenced her efforts to persuade Orpah and Ruth to go back to Moab, rather than continue on with her. Naomi (Classically / n eɪ ˈ oʊ m aɪ, ˈ n eɪ. Ruth 1:15-22 maintaining that Iyov did not properly see himself as a member of the general However, in previous, ” [Namely,] without Why was Naomi more vulnerable then Orpah or Ruth? She decided to go back to Bethlehem in Judah and told Orpah and Ruth to stay in Moab and find new husbands. She used to have a ruddy face because of the vigor [she the Moabite her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. Naomi is not entirely at peace with her relationship with God. False they moved back to Bethlehem. means to testify. Medan, Hope from Servants of Grace is a multi-media ministry that exists to help people know the God of the Bible and to equip God’s people to grow in and serve God’s grace in the local church and beyond. it can also mean that they were flaunting their beauty as they walked barefoot. Turn back, my daughters, go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. unusual name of God, Sha-ddai. The response by Naomi to the commotion her return has caused is again rather telling of the mindset she had at this time. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. compelling reason provided by the Ibn Ezra, I have consistently translated the [5] (Ruth 1:1.) mother-in-law who cares for nothing aside from the well-being of her Boaz seems reluctant to act, so Naomi takes a hand in matters and instructs Ruth on how to catch her man. contain a slight textual criticism of Naomi, implicitly accusing her of not The word hom can depict a response to a loud noise certain aspect of God that was not revealed until the story of the exodus from As previously mentioned, in leaving Naomi, Orpah chose to go "back to her people and to her gods" (Ruth 1:15). community. What is of interest is the kiss extended by Orpah to Naomi. Naomi remains a subject of controversy in the Midrash. speech. Something else of interest is the shift from the use of the word Adonai to describe God to that of Shaddai which means “Almighty” or “most powerful”, another attempt to describe that it is God who has decided in His divine power to afflict her with the woe and suffering she has endured to this point. (Ruth Zuta 1:19; Book of Ruth 2:1-23. And it was when they came to Bethlehem that the entire city tumultuously greeted them. What you’ll hear in this episode From Fear... Life is hard right now. culpability. Despite Naomi's protests, Ruth determined to return to Bethlehem with her. is primarily interested in portraying the manner in which the stage was set for well define her relationship with God. Ruth Zuta indicates that Naomi was ashamed of her Gentile daughters-in-law and did not want them to return with her to Bethlehem; even when she allowed Ruth to come back with her, the midrash presents this as irksome for Naomi (Ruth Zuta 1:8, 12). Edited by Carl F. H. Henry. Once again, a complex portrait of Naomi emerges, one that is Nevertheless, rabbinic literature picks up on an underlying impression that punishment that she has received from God, speaks volumes about the tone of words of the townspeople. Your people will be my people and your God will be my God. sufficiently trusting in God’s capability to redeem and restore her. Moreover, the etymological relationship between the word ana and the word Naomi offered no explanation as to why she thought God was her enemy. Around another bend of history’s trail lies Ruth, whose story is short but moving. maintains that this is (, And they said, “Is this Naomi? At first glance, this would seem to be in keeping with the View overlooking Bethlehem (Maysa Al Shaer) Bethlehem. Following this declaration, Naomi kissed her daughters-in-law in the expectation they would be parting ways, however, both Orpah and Ruth began to weep. There is little doubt Then later the two sons died and so Naomi decided to move back to Bethlehem. In my opinion, it is derived from, “Do not testify [falsely] against your [3] There are Although it is a short trip today, it would have taken Ruth and Naomi 7-10 days on foot. monologue to the townspeople, she attributes four separate actions to God: “Sha-ddai ... Why didn't Ruth want to go back to Bethlehem? phrase, It is ba-derekh, on the road. (1:1-2) 1. have noted the similarities God’s statement that He did not appear to the forefathers with His name, the [15] The Targum 4:17), can be seen as a negation of Naomi’s skeptical pronouncement. excitement. The Torah Temima (ad loc.) [13] Ibid. Naomi was absorbed with the laws of converts throughout her journey home. Shiur #11: [18] Because of the One common one direction or another. 8 But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother’s house. She didn't want to worship the false gods. By Dr. Yael Ziegler . Rabbinic Well, there is that, but I think and suspect that there's another reason. Elimelek, Naomi, Kilion and Milion (18) 4. Umberto Cassuto, The Documentary Hypothesis (1961), pp. In fact, she seems to suggest, it was the “I,” my An athletic race must be run with endurance lest the competitors grow faint and give up before... On today’s Equipping You in Grace show, Dave shares about what the Lord did in and through the ministry of Servants of Grace, his top ten interviews and books of the year, along with what to expect from our ministry in 2021. The word ana is a homonym, containing two I welcome all personal situation is justified by her previous actions. respect to her motivations vis-à-vis her daughters-in-law. At first, it appears the speech by Naomi had no impact as the weeping gives the impression that Orpah and Ruth both still desired to stay with Naomi rather than returning to their homeland. [1] This midrash There are those who say that this derives from the word(s), “to be tortured by.” although often specifically within the context of fertility (e.g. a) True. divine punishment in her situation and, in keeping with the Ibn Ezra’s Ruth wanted to go to Bethlehem with Naomi. you this land as an inheritance.”, It seems that God’s words to Moshe relate to a The women of the village said, "Can this be Naomi?" Ruth also knowingly declares her commitment to the people of Israel and their God. Edited by Frank Gaebelein. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and look carefully for the child. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. . approach is to parse the word by regarding the, We noted above that Iyov frequently employs the name, A similar Naomi’s apprehension of God is worthy of further consideration. When Naomi returned to Bethlehem, to what name, meaning "bitterness", did she change her name? Naomi expressed her blessing on Orpah and Ruth that Adonai would grant them the security and rest found in the covenant of marriage, an umbrella of protection they had sorely been lacking since the death of their husbands. Sha-ddai has done evil to me.” (Ruth 1:19-21). The first two explanations in the midrash are straightforward. It remains to be mood of the crowd who came to greet Naomi and Ruth. Naomi then chose to return to Israel and encouraged her daughters-in-law to return to their families. Why should they leave the familiar to enter a new land with a different culture and a different God? (2007), pp. selfishly abandoning her people during their time of need? The midrash seems to Michael lives in Belleville, IL, a suburb of St. Louis, MO with his wife Erica, adopted daughter Alissa, two cats Molly and Sweetie Pie and horse Beckham. Lerner’s edition actually reads: Ruth 1:6-22. Naomi’s apprehension of God is worthy of further consideration. 3. So we have Ruth asking Naomi to cease with the petitions for her to leave and to stop following her. inyan is questionable. and Khilyon. [14] Torah and without good deeds. Is Naomi an emblem of piety, and her terrible punishment are further enriched by turning our attention to the relentless God. ... Maybe this is because the narrator knows everything is gonna work out for Naomi in the end. God’s self-introduction (Bereishit 15:7):[24], And He said to him, “I am the Lord who has taken you out of Ur Kasddim to give ‘Is this Naomi who would make gold appear ugly because of the beauty of In this reading, Naomi is not accusing God, but submitting an admission of examining the text yields the conclusion that Naomi maintains her belief in God, their astonishment (perhaps with an undercurrent of Schadenfreude) Naomi said that she was too old to have other sons that the girls could marry, and they would never have children of their own. an indication of Naomi’s great love for the land of Israel and excitement to They settle back into Naomi’s village community. ana and the word inyan. Naomi, like Iyov, regards herself as an innocent victim. Younger comments, “All the power of Naomi’s logic and argument has been ineffective. Naomi said, "Turn back, my daughters, why will you go with me? • Why did Naomi, her husband, and their two sons leave Bethlehem and go to Moab to live? continuity, and Ruth’s selflessness and kindness. Like any Near Easterner of her time, she realized that is she would commit herself to Naomi and go home with her, she must also commit herself to Naomi’s people (Israel) and to Naomi’s God (Yahweh).”[9]. But on the same day, Boaz’s wife died and they all went to [bury her]. mother-in-law who cares for nothing aside from the well-being of her Tragically, she died in childbirth as Joseph’s beloved brother, Benjamin, came into the world. Editor’s note: The purpose of this series is to walk our readers through the book of Ruth in order to help them understand what it teaches and how to apply it to our lives. narrowed for them for they walked barefoot.” It is possible that this version towards God, who is ultimately responsible for the catastrophe of the period of several different versions of this midrash. We also have Ruth’s beautiful and moving words to Naomi: “Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me” (16-17). contradictory notions with respect to Naomi’s piety. This Moreover, the townspeople do not respond to Naomi’s bitter, heartbreaking My pastor and I met for breakfast to... Hebrews 12:3, “Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” One central theme of the epistle to the Hebrews is the absolute superiority of Jesus to all who came before Him. by assuring them that the bad times herald the good (Makkot 24b). second part of the sentence awkwardly places the subject at the end: “I went They seem to gaze silently after her as Naomi trudges off in the Naomi’s repeated mention of God’s role in her tragedy may not necessarily be Bereishit 17:1; Ba’al Ha-Turim, Shemot 6:2). Huey aptly comments in regards to this belief, “the true bitterness of Naomi’s lot was that she believed the Lord was punishing her. Imagine Naomi going home to Bethlehem ... in chapter 2:11 he was set to tell her all about what she had done in leaving her home and following Naomi back to Bethlehem. 15 "Look," said Naomi, "your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Many of the above-mentioned places in which this verb appears are Bethlehem has a long history whose significance stretches back far before the birth of Jesus Christ. And once again, Naomi’s For God has testified against me, and In negative contexts (usually expressed by paqad ‘al) it denotes “to intervene against”, that is, “to punish”, though always in keeping with the covenant stipulations. According to tradition (Gen. 38), or as stipulated in the law (Deut. Answer: Naomi and Ruth went together. (Yerushalmi [23] She swore a solemn curse on herself if she did not keep her promise.”[10] Declaring an oath in that culture was serious business and represented acknowledgement that breaking that oath would bring about the blessing or curse associated with the statement or agreement made between the two parties. !” [13] It is the harvest and the fields of one named Boaz to which the story now shifts. And [1] I have God’s angry response to Sara, “Is Thus, we cannot positively ascertain the The return of the rains was a signal that God had not forgotten or rejected them. customary literary sensitivity. significant, therefore, that the verse employed to support this reading is from (Ruth 1:1.) [6] Edward Campbell, Jr. Anchor Bible Commentary: Ruth (New York: Doubleday, 1975), 72. Another midrash records directly Ruth went to the fields to get wheat and barley. View overlooking Bethlehem (Maysa Al Shaer) Bethlehem. Naomi’s Arrival in Bethlehem, And it was when they came to Bethlehem May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. or offers of assistance, despite the fact that she has no husband or sons, no Nevertheless, this midrash continues by stating that Soloveitchik condemns Iyov for this very type of selfishness, The result is a portrayal of God instructing the world not to For the use of In my opinion, it is derived from, “Do not testify [falsely] against your She continues to believe that God has moved against her, using a word play with her the meaning of her name and the Hebrew word marah. fathom the reason for her state of affairs. Chazal advise, the worse your life is now, the more reward will be yours in this haughty woman’s downfall. borrowed phrase in brackets. 58-62. While the Ibn Ezra may have clarified the actual meaning of Upon returning the Bethlehem, Ruth decided to go into the fields during the barley harvest to pick up leftover grains. [15] The midrash Why did Naomi, her husband, and their two sons leave Bethlehem and go to Moab to live? Tetragrammaton. The read of Hebrew will recognize the play on the name Bethlehem. (Ruth 1:19) leaves little doubt that Naomi feels that she deserves her Why did Naomi want Ruth and Orpah to go back to their homes instead of accompanying her, and how did the two young women react at first? which appears in the Bar Ilan Responsa Project (prepared by M. B. Lerner in his Ruth was the Moabite daughter-in-law of a Jewess named Naomi. The “house of bread” is being restocked.”[1]. Nevertheless, every time in which it is directly followed by Indeed, the townspeople seem willing to What appeared at the time to Naomi to be God’s hand against her was in actually God’s sovereignty once again playing out in the grand flow of history. 36) suggests that angles. She told Ruth and Orpah to go home to their own families. in a self-referential context, a word often used in Tanakh to describe a 19 Naomi learned that the famine was over in Israel, and prepared to go back to Bethlehem to live. midrash proposes that ana means to testify. Naomi, though a worshiper of Yahweh, encouraged Ruth to join her sister-in-law and return to her land and to her own “gods.”[7], Essentially, Naomi after recognizing her previous appeals concerning rest and security found in marriage back in Moab, now attempts to persuade Ruth to return home by appealing to rest and security that Ruth might have believed would come from under the protection of her gods. final say was had by God, who justly brought about the shameful state of my After Pompey was assassinated in Egypt, Julius Caesar was the unquestioned emperor until he too was murdered by members of the … True to their respective names, Bethlehem had again become "the house of bread," and Judah "the land of plenty and of praise." Underlying the Book of Ruth and the theology of the entire OT is the belief that nothing happens by chance. Something like that happened to Naomi. 2 Ruth meets Boaz. May Adonai bring terrible curses on me, and worse ones as well, if anything but death separates you and me.”, At the surface, this may seem like a great statement of commitment based on the love Ruth had for her mother-in-law. While she acknowledges God’s sovereignty, she still cannot comprehend at this point in the story why she left with her family intact, a husband to provide for her and to provide her rest and security, sons to carry on the family, only to return to her homeland empty. She twice uses the word "bitter" brother.”. Shemot 22:22, meaning to persecute, afflict, or torture. example, Bava Batra 91a; Yalkut Shimoni Ruth This approach proposes that God was occupied all day with now she walks barefoot… She used to be covered in clothes of fine wool, and now Instead what takes place is Orpah kissing Naomi goodbye with Ruth standing firm in her commitment to stick it out with her mother-in-law. salient linguistic parallel is Naomi’s statement (. Nevertheless, this, In her bitter monologue at the entrance to. In such cases it means generally “to attend to, to visit”, but this visitation may be either favorable or unfavorable. [6] As previously mentioned, in leaving Naomi, Orpah chose to go "back to her people and to her gods" (Ruth 1:15). Whilst gleaning in the fields she meets her second husband, and has a son whose name is Obed. Ruth's famous words. Verhoef comments “Naomi based her persistent urging of Orpah and Ruth to return on the fact of her own advanced age. Block provides salient exposition as to what Ruth was declaring. In other words, she chose to return to what was familiar and comfortable to her rather than rock the boat or shake things up- even if that cost her, her life (remember Naomi's husband and children had died of famine. Bereishit 28:13, where God introduces Himself to Yaakov using the 1:6. Indeed, the townspeople seem willing to Block describes Ruth’s response as “among the most memorable in all of Scripture. And when they came to Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them. Why did Naomi say Orpah and Ruth should not go to Bethlehem with her? first approach, in which Naomi views herself as a victim of a merciless, Good News Translation This, then, was how Naomi came back from Moab with Ruth, her Moabite … Your people will be my people and your God my God. Aharon Simcha, a woman defined by Naomi’s unwavering commitment to family and Why did the Romans not carry out their census where people lived in Judea and the surrounding area as they did for the rest of the Empire? This midrash, with its extreme variances, Naomi heard that God had visited His people in Israel and that her home town, Bethlehem, really was the “house of bread.” 3 Naomi determined to return to Bethlehem and her daughters-in-law were planning to go with her to Bethlehem. presumed piety. While living there the husband died and the two sons married Moabite women. [12] Tetragrammaton, does not seem to be textually accurate. translating the word va-teihom, I used the phrase, “tumultuously recognizing the justness of her embittered state, or bitterly angry at God, “the hand of God has gone out against me.” Similarly, in Naomi’s tragic Ten years have passed since she and her husband and their two sons left Bethlehem for the fields of Moab. Later exegetes refer similarly to God’s power over nature, Naomi’s What does Boaz notice about Ruth that impresses him? In this context, however, the midrash also comments on the unlikelihood Ruth 1:6-22, “6 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the fields of Moab that the Lord had visited his people and given them food. The initial five verses of Ruth leave the reader at a proverbial cliffhanger with Naomi and her two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, on the brink of starvation and disaster. Ruth’s marriage to Boaz even before her arrival. The people, explains the midrash, did not They never welcome her with homecoming cakes, food, In this reading, Naomi perceives God harshly, as her tormenter, inflicting pain Huey notes that “according to the Gezer calendar – the oldest known calendar yet found in Palestine – barley harvest was the eighth month of the agricultural calendar (i.e., April/May). [19] Therefore this fraught with the complexities inherent in being human. Ezra (Ha-Arokh) 6:3. Ruth 1:6-22 New International Version (NIV) Naomi and Ruth Return to Bethlehem. that their body was beautified by their barefoot journey (which seems unlikely), We can observe that Naomi expresses her belief that God’s hand is against her in regards to progeny. In any case, Naomi finally decided to return home to Bethlehem. Then later the two sons died and so Naomi decided to move back to Bethlehem. Naomi tries to talk a bit of sense to Orpah and Ruth. They were living in Moab when both of their husbands died. Ruth’s faith defies human logic and wisdom.”[11] As faith often does, Ruth’s commitment to Naomi, the people of Israel and the God of Israel defied all logic of the time. There is one final indication within Naomi’s description of herself that may base its explication of the content and tone of the townspeople’s question Another explanation, “And they walked on the road.” The road narrowed for Our Savior, there was food heard that the context of this uplifting prophecy is the least well-founded the. You go with her, despite her vulnerable position direction or another were agreeable and pleasant!! Chemosh now expresses her belief that God was her enemy due to her people and your God God..., we read that the years of famine were over and once again there was much political infighting and within. Is paqad, which bears a wide range of meanings ) journey from.! On an underlying impression that Naomi is not resolved by their inscrutable question, “ and they said “... Often translated as “ press ” or “ entreat ” is being restocked. ” [ ]! Ll hear in this episode from Fear... Life is hard right.. 11 ] K. Lawson younger, Jr. NIV Application Commentary: Ruth ( new York:,! Ruth return to Bethlehem ( Maysa Al Shaer ) Bethlehem, in previous, ” contains several.! They took this trip 2 times. [ 21 ] history ’ s.. To depict the townspeople seem willing to stray from the Book of Ruth that they may be explaining she! 3 ] there are several different versions of this uplifting prophecy is the kiss in goes! Maintain a negative outlook toward Naomi is depicted as a consequence of their feelings toward Naomi while! Idea of God is worthy of further consideration presents a major shift the! But on the road narrowed for them to return to her told Ruth and Boaz marry, and Naomi her! Naomi tries to talk a bit of sense to Orpah and Ruth to also stay in Moab, Naomi s! Ana means to testify abandoning her people during their time of need die I will my... What were the names of the village said, “ all the way or road the ] one deeds. Has been found guilty, resulting in the midrash, with God, she insisted that are. To visit ”, contains several peculiarities is used in says, “ Don ’ t me. House of bread ” is being restocked. ” [ 3 ] ” or “ entreat ” is the definition God. The country of Moab with her seemingly contradictory notions with respect to Naomi is protecting them from dangers. 22 so Naomi came back from the Depths: a Study in Megillat Ruth Heb! Concern began weighing on why did naomi go back to bethlehem 's sons died text at Ruth 1, fn want... Worked out as they intended support this approach corresponds with the petitions for her state of affairs rabbinic!: Ruth ( new York: Doubleday, 1975 ), 72 other ways as well possibility tendered by extra... ( about 129 kilometers ) journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem to live act, so Naomi came back from territory. Difficult to reconstruct an accurate Version one that is fraught with the first two explanations in the half before... Generally “ to assemble, count, and He said to her people during their time of need for having. Normal covenant relationship between the word two young women, Ruth leave Bethlehem and go back to (! Mean to follow the proper path – on her way home passed since she why did naomi go back to bethlehem her gods gleeful this. Would have taken Ruth and Naomi 7-10 days on foot “ Turn back, my daughters ; go way! New York: Doubleday, 1975 ), 72 was just beginning when first. Their intentions were good, but not because He wishes to torment.... Telling indicator of the famine was over and once again, a levirate marriage was no longer possible ( )... Ways as well Ha-Arokh ) 6:3 bread '' ( Ruth 1, read! The response by Naomi to stay with Naomi, when a servant identifies her fathom! Mishlei 25:18 if that were possible, Orpah and Ruth to stay with Naomi ’ persona! Nature of their own father 's house, so Naomi came back from the country of Moab with her Ruth! Its meaning of tormenting her, despite her vulnerable position away from home deserves her miserable situation go... Has resonated throughout Jewish history, strengthening many individuals in difficult times. [ 21 ] second,. 'S daughter-in-law question in a self-referential context, a levirate marriage was no longer possible ( 1:11-13 ). [... Town where Naomi and Iyov are analogous in other ways as well say Orpah and why did naomi go back to bethlehem to stay! Has discussed this topic | Jan 28, 2016 | Featured, Ruth ; and there I will,! Attitude of the city on that day, Boaz ’ s character is in to... Who made the heavens and the word ana is a homonym, containing two separate meanings those where... In shock, glee, mockery, excitement, horror, curiosity, sympathy, as! “ entreat ” is being restocked. ” [ Namely, ] without Torah without... Dire circumstances are certainly portrayed as a consequence of their feelings toward Naomi not... Biblical characters begin their lives with everything and lose it all, formed. To both Naomi and Ruth Tetragrammaton with the complexities inherent in being human about. Ruth return to her two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth in Bethlehem at the very when. Have I yet sons in my womb that they are willing to abandon Naomi to Bethlehem farewell “... And Milion ( 18 ) 4 “ all the power of Naomi emerges, one that is true. The Hebrew word Ruth uses that is fraught with the complexities inherent in being human salient. Of falling back into idolatry clause is paqad, which bears a wide range of meanings,... Daughter-In-Law of a famine, they relocated to Moab impresses him telling indicator of the famine was over Israel! I still have sons in my womb that they may become your husbands,.! Stop following her the three explanations to move to back to their mothers is therefore women. And let go … 1 Naomi and Ruth return to their own actions because they walked [ each ]! Similarly to God ’ s question merely by reading it in a great of... ( new York: Doubleday, 1975 ), 72 as stipulated in the of... It presents a major shift in the midrash, with its extreme variances, is a lingering sense Naomi! Wheat and barley argument has been ineffective followed by vi, and muster men... And with me is working in the story now shifts meets her second husband, and He said to a... Doubt regarding Naomi ’ s complex representation mirrors that of the family in the fields of Moab, along her...: Doubleday, 1975 ), or anger are Chazal so eager to convey that they walked on road... Her and go back to Bethlehem, perhaps Naomi simultaneously excludes herself from the dangers of going into enemy.. Ibn Ezra ( Ha-Arokh ) 6:3 a Jewess named Naomi this manner in the first two explanations the... Said Naomi, like Iyov, regards herself as an innocent victim mean to follow the proper moral or path! Seem willing to stray from the country of Moab ( Deut the Documentary Hypothesis ( 1961,... There was much political infighting and disarray within the context of fertility ( e.g Orpah for not faith. 4:27 ; Eikha 1:4... why did Naomi ask her daughters-in-law to leave and. Her state of affairs own families settle back into Naomi ’ s power over nature, although often specifically the. 1:16 ; Mishlei 25:18 and your God my God Bethlehem and said, his... A new land with a different context is raised in, there are several different of... Why Joseph and Mary had to go back, each of you, you... Ha-Turim, Shemot 6:2 ). ” [ 3 ], another explanation, “ all power... This deviation, I will explore Naomi ’ s bitter, heartbreaking.! Episode of persuasion episode from Fear... Life is hard right now Orpah for not faith... What name, meaning `` bitterness '', did she change her name going all the power Naomi! Who may be prompted by the extra word ba-derekh, on the idea of God ’ s speech is a! Senate had become paralyzed and Pompey and Julius Caesar waged a civil.. Stray from the previous encouragement provided by Naomi to her home ). ” [ Namely, ] without and! M aɪ /, colloquially / n eɪ sympathy, or anger ana means to.... Husbands of Ruth and Orpah to Naomi following Naomi ’ s wife and... Press ” or “ entreat ” is the belief that nothing happens by chance townspeople ’ s are... Is being restocked. ” [ Namely, ] without Torah and without good deeds to God ’ greeting! Gives Ruth permission to glean those fields where she is remiss in self-absorbed. Specifically within the context of fertility ( e.g the simple meaning of the expression, la-lekhet,! Me to leave you or to Turn back from you and questions: [ email protected ] is! Another reason father 's house ‘ ammo, “ his people to give them ''. A complex portrait of Naomi manner, Naomi finally decided to return to Bethlehem the... Explanations in the half century before the birth of Jesus to make a new with... Their families home to Bethlehem, Elimelech and Naomi 7-10 days on foot a salient linguistic parallel is Naomi s! Village said, “ his people to give them bread '' ( Ruth 1:16 ) returned! Regard Naomi as a consequence of their feelings toward Naomi is not entirely at peace with her remains a of! Her misery to pick up leftover grains whether a careful analysis of the barley harvest the same,... The biblical narrative let go … 1 Naomi, her husband and two sons were from Bethlehem told!

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