Lesson 20: “All the City … Doth Know That Thou Art a Virtuous Woman”

The book of Ruth provides us with the person of Boaz as a type of Christ and of his redemption of all mankind. Boaz is referred to as a “near kinsman,” which comes from the Hebrew word goel, signifying a kinsman with the right to redeem. Thus Boaz can be called a “kinsman-redeemer,” just as Christ is both our elder brother, and our eternal redeemer. Boaz is conscious of the law and is dedicated to upholding it, but his compassion for both Ruth and Naomi carries him beyond the limits of the law to a Christ-like act of both general and personal redemption.

The Hebrew word Hesed, sometimes translated as "loving kindness," also implies loyalty, or fidelity This concept of loyalty or fidelity is found throughout the book of Ruth, beginning with Naomi blessing her two daughters-in-law as she urges them to return to their Moabite families. Naomi blesses them for their kindness and loyalty toward her. Both Ruth and Boaz demonstrate loyalty to their family members throughout the story. These are not acts of kindness with an expectation of receiving the same in return. Rather, they are acts of hesed that are more than the basic definition of everyday loyalty, and demonstrate that one can be expected to go beyond the minimum requirements of the law and choose something greater. However, the importance of the law is evident within the Book of Ruth, and the story reflects a need to stay within legal boundaries. Boaz gives us an example of one who not only stays within the boundaries of the law, but does something greater than what is merely required. In fulfilling the requirements of the law, and through his compassion, he redeems not only the land but both Naomi and Ruth as well. The two widows now have a secure and protected future.

The Targum makes it plain that Ruth understood that by returning with her mother-in-law she would need to become a Jewish proselyte. She steadfastly proclaims her willingness to do so despite fierce questioning by Naomi:

15- Then said she: "Behold, your sister-in-law has returned to her people and to her gods. Return after your sister-in-law to your people and your gods!"
16- But Ruth said: "Do not coax me to leave you, to turn from following you, for I desire to become a proselyte." Said Naomi: "We are commanded to keep the Sabbaths and holidays, not to walk more than two thousand cubits." Said Ruth: "Wheresoever you go I shall go." Said Naomi: "We are commanded not to spend the night together with non-Jews." Said Ruth: "Wherever you lodge I shall lodge." Said Naomi: "We are commanded to keep six hundred thirteen commandments." Said Ruth: "That which your people keep, that I shall keep, as though they had been my people before this." Said Naomi: "We are commanded not to worship idolatry." Said Ruth: "Your God is my God."
17- Said Naomi: "We have four methods of capital punishment for the guilty -- stoning, burning with fire, death by the sword, and hanging upon the gallows." Said Ruth: "To whatever death you are subject I shall be subject." Said Naomi: "We have two cemeteries." Said Ruth: "There shall I be buried. And do not continue to speak any further. May the Lord do thus unto me and more if [even] death will separate me from you."
18- When she saw that she insisted upon going with her, she ceased to dissuade her.

(Targum to Ruth) 1:15-18


The Targum also reveals that the other near kinsman declined to redeem the land and to take Ruth as a wife as he was already married and feared it would cause dissension in his own family

Deuteronomy 25:5-9, lays out the requirements for redemption. It states that if the kinsman who has the responsibility refuses, the widow was to take off his shoe and spit in his face. He would be considered disgraced from that moment on. In the case of Ruth and her near kinsman, we note that he plucked off his own shoe and gave it to his neighbor. No mention is made of the spitting, as it was likely considered that he was justified in his actions and that Boaz was a willing replacement.