1. The Reading of Rus on Shavuos
There is a widespread tradition in many communities to read the story of Rus—Ruth—on Shavuos. Various reasons are given for this custom, but one central theme is the dedication and loyalty that Rus displayed toward her mother-in-law, Naomi. The narrative of Rus is not just a story of personal devotion; it also serves as a model for spiritual commitment and transformation, which are central themes of Shavuos, the time of Matan Torah—the giving of the Torah.
Additionally, as we study tractate Sotah, we see how the events in the story of Rus, recorded in Kesuvim—the Writings—echo through later generations. The Gemara draws direct connections between what took place in the era of Rus and subsequent historical developments, highlighting how choices made by individuals can have profound effects on their descendants and on Jewish history as a whole.
2. Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah: The Diverging Paths
The beginning of Megillas Rus describes Naomi’s return to Eretz Yisrael after losing her husband Elimelech and her two sons in Moav. Left with her two daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah, Naomi urges them to remain in Moav rather than follow her back to Beis Lechem Yehuda. She explains that she has nothing left to offer them—no more sons for them to marry—and tries to dissuade them from joining her difficult journey.
Both Ruth and Orpah initially express a desire to accompany Naomi. The text describes their emotional farewell: “They raised their voices and cried,” emphasizing the depth of their feelings. However, a key difference emerges: Orpah ultimately accepts Naomi’s urging and returns to Moav, kissing her mother-in-law goodbye. In contrast, Ruth refuses to leave Naomi’s side, declaring her unwavering commitment: “Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your God is my God; where you die, I will die.” Rashi explains that each phrase alludes to specific halachos—laws—that Ruth accepted upon herself as part of her conversion process. This passage becomes foundational for understanding how a convert must be gently discouraged at first but must insist on joining Klal Yisrael if their intent is sincere.
3. The Reward for Orpah’s Tears
The Gemara in Sotah analyzes the aftermath of this pivotal moment. It notes that Orpah shed four tears when parting from Naomi—how do we know four? Because it says they cried more than once (“they cried again”), and each cry involves two eyes: two times two equals four tears. In the merit of these four tears, Orpah was rewarded with four mighty sons.
The most famous among these sons is Goliath (Golyas), who would later become a formidable enemy of Israel. The Gemara describes Goliath as a giant among men who challenged the Jewish people with arrogance and defiance. He taunted Israel for forty days, morning and evening—a period paralleling the forty days Moshe Rabbeinu spent on Har Sinai receiving the Torah.
4. Goliath’s Challenge and Its Deeper Meaning
The Gemara further explains that Goliath’s taunts were timed specifically during Krias Shema&mdash>the recitation of Shema—in both morning and evening prayers. His intention was to disrupt Israel’s acceptance of Hashem’s sovereignty (Kabbalas Ol Malchus Shamayim). The forty days he was allowed to challenge Israel corresponded to the forty days it took for Moshe Rabbeinu to receive the Luchos on Sinai.
When Goliath demanded that “a man” come down to fight him, he was alluding (according to one interpretation) not just to any man but even challenging Hashem Himself—Hashem Ish Milchama, “Hashem is a man of war,” as sung in Az Yashir. Hashem responded by ensuring Goliath would fall at the hands not even of a full-grown man but rather David HaMelech, who at that time was still considered youthful (ben ish) by Torah standards.
5. The Legacy of Ruth Versus Orpah
The Gemara uses a striking phrase: “Let come the children of she who was kissed (Orpah), and let them fall into the hands of she who cleaved (Ruth).” After leaving Naomi, Orpah remarried (the Gemara details various unsavory relationships), ultimately giving birth to Goliath and his brothers. Ruth’s steadfastness led eventually to King David emerging from her lineage.
This confrontation between David (descendant of Ruth) and Goliath (descendant of Orpah) thus becomes symbolic: those who merely kiss goodbye versus those who truly cleave with devotion produce very different legacies. The fact that Orpah shed exactly four tears suggests her emotion may have been limited or insincere compared with Ruth’s unwavering commitment.
6. Lessons for Shavuos: Mesirus Nefesh and Spiritual Renewal
This narrative helps explain why we read Megillas Rus on Shavuos: it teaches us about mesirus nefesh—sacrifice—and dedication in accepting Torah. Just as Ruth insisted on joining Naomi despite all discouragements and difficulties—embracing new laws and an unfamiliar destiny—so too every Jew at Shavuos stands before Hashem like a convert accepting Torah anew.
The story reminds us that before Matan Torah we had no direct connection to Torah or its mitzvos; receiving it transformed us into something new—like converts entering into an eternal covenant with Hashem. Through reading about Ruth’s journey from outsider to progenitor of royalty in Israel, we are inspired toward our own renewal each year at Shavuos.