Shalhevet Robinson: Ruth: A Literary Masterpiece, a Lesson in Kindness (In Person and on Zoom)

In partnership with Beth Jacob Congregation, Oakland

Megillat Ruth (The Book of Ruth) is an extraordinary novella with a simple but profound goal: to take us from the alienation of grief into a healed society. The story centers on a family from Bethlehem (in Judea): a husband and two sons die, leaving behind three widows. Over the course of the story, a grief-stricken family is able to create a new legacy and is thus redeemed.

We will focus on the timing and context of the novella and on ethical questions and the family relationships of the characters. We will employ a pshat (literal) and literary approach with a sprinkling of rabbinic literature to color and contextualize our interpretation. 

1. Shabbat April 22, approx. 10:15am and 12:15pm     In-person only at Beth Jacob (Please note Beth Jacob’s Shabbat guidelines below.)

Drasha following Torah Reading: Liberation in Captivity: On leading a Pesach Seder in Ukraine

Shi’ur following Kiddush (approx. 12:15 pm): Why was Megillat Ruth Written? The Paradox of Chesed (kindness) or Why Not All Kindness Is Good.

2. Tuesday, May 2,  Zoom Shi’ur 7:15–8:30pm     Virtual on Zoom Where does Megillat Ruth Fit in the Tapestry of the Hebrew Bible?

3. Tuesday, May 16,  Zoom Shi’ur 7:15 – 8:30 pm     Virtual on Zoom Healing from Grief: How the Three Widows, Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah, Cope with Loss

4. Shabbat May 20, approx. 12:30pm     In-person only at Beth Jacob (Please note Beth Jacob’s Shabbat guidelines below.)

Drasha following Torah Reading: Standing Again at Sinai: Judith Plaskow and the SanHerDrin Squad

Shi’ur following Kiddush (approx. 12:15pm): Is Megillat Ruth a Love Story?

*You are cordially invited to attend the full Shabbat service at Beth Jacob. Please review these guidelines:

Beth Jacob is a synagogue that follows the traditions of “modern orthodoxy.”  These traditions may seem different from other synagogues you may have attended. Men and women sit separately during services, but together for Kiddush and Torah classes. There is no smoking, writing, photography, use of cellphones or other technological devices throughout the synagogue grounds on Shabbat.Services and Torah reading are led in Hebrew, and we will announce pages in a Siddur (prayerbook) that contains English explanations.