Megillas Ruth with Rabbi Mendel Kaplan
by Rabbi Mendel Kaplan
The Book of Ruth is one of the five megillot (scrolls), part of the section of the Hebrew Bible called Writings, and is traditionally read on the holiday of Shavuot. It tells the story of Ruth, a widow of Moabite origin who insists on staying with her widowed, Israelite mother-in-law, declaring “wherever you go, I will go... your people shall be my people, and your God my God” (1:16). Ruth’s loyalty leads her to the field of her kinsman, Boaz, whom she ultimately marries. Together they have a child, who later becomes the grandfather of King David.
Episodes
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EPILOGUE ~ A Final Roundup Of The Scroll Of Ruth's Deeper Messages
Megillat Ruth in Depth - Part 37 ~ ' The Biblical Scroll of Ruth is arguably the most unusual book in our entire Canon. Although it was ostensibly written to document the lineage of King David and the eternal House of Jewish Royalty he founds, there are many detailed and overarching messages that...
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BLESSED
Megillat Ruth in Depth - Part 36 Chapter 4, Lesson 7 Women of Great Virtue Comfort and encourage Naomi to foster the Blessed Boy as her own child. He will become a source of Comfort, Joy and Blessing for his Mother and Grandmother, and a source of redemption and salvation for all of Israel they...
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The Story Of A BRIEF MARRIAGE
Megillat Ruth in Depth - Part 35 Chapter 4, Lesson 6 Within hours of the Courtroom Betrothal, a hastily arranged Chuppah and wedding followed and that night Boaz brings Ruth home. Sadly, he dies soon thereafter, yet she had already conceived and exactly nine months after their marriage --...
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THE WITNESSES
Megillat Ruth in Depth - Part 34 Chapter 4, Lesson 5 Responding to Boaz’s call, the mix assemblage of Prominent Sanhedrin Judges and ordinary Bethlehem Citizenry duly witness the Legal Proceedings of the Legacy Estate Transfer as well as a Historic Marriage. The crowds then burst forth in a…
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LEGACIES
Megillat Ruth in Depth -Part 33 Chapter 4, Lesson 4 Boaz now swiftly moves to acquire the entire estate that had formally belonged to his kinsman Elimelech and his children. Yet this acquisition will be about far more than a significant expansion his heirloom plantation portfolio. In purchasing...
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PLEASE REMOVE YOUR SHOES
Megillat Ruth in Depth - Part 32 Chapter 4, Lesson 3 The verbal recusal of the Phantom First-in-Line is insufficient for Boaz. Before moving into the Batters Box, he wants the agreement formalized. Only then will he be ready to Make His Move. Traditionally, transactions were ratified by virtue of…
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ULTIMATUM
Megillat Ruth in Depth - Part 32 Chapter 4, Lesson 2 With no small measure of guile, Boaz cleverly and strategically throws down the Gauntlet: Step Up, or Step Aside he challenges the Phantom relative; its high time for the Real Redeemer to please rise! But are Real Estate and Matrimony really a...
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REMOVE ALL OBSTACLES
Megillat Ruth in Depth - Part 31 Chapter 4, Lesson 1 With great alacrity, Boaz moves to fulfill his promise. But obstacles must first be overcome, as to marry Ruth, first he must get a phantom Uncle Tov to step aside! The righteous do their part and that causes Hashem to do His. Divine Providence...
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HOME FOR HARVEST
Megillat Ruth in Depth - Part 30 Chapter 3, Lesson 12 As dawn is breaking, yet still under the cover of dark Ruth stealthily returns to Naomi's home. A cryptic conversation ensues and the door opens. Ruth tells her wise mother-in-law all that transpired and while she is prepared to return to the...
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THE SECRET OF THE GRAIN
Megillat Ruth in Depth - Part 29 Chapter 3, Lesson 11 (Verses 14 - 16) After a long night of torturous Temptation, succesfully overcome dawn mercifully arrives. Before day fully breaks, and tongues begin to wag... Boaz and Ruth must escape under the cover of dark. But before the leave, Boaz finds...
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Boaz and Ruth’s Vigil in the Dark — the longest night in history!
Megillat Ruth in Depth Part 28- Chapter 3, Lesson 10 "Boaz and Ruth’s Vigil in the Dark" The longest night in history!
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Reassuring Ruth!
Megillat Ruth in Depth Part 27 Chapter 3, Lesson 9 Reassuring Ruth! Boaz must now explain why accepting Ruth’s marriage proposition isn't so simple; although he intends on following through – for now the challenge of a closer relative stands in the way. Knowing that his response will likely...
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Boaz’s Response: Righteous or Racy?
Megillat Ruth in Depth Part 26 Chapter 3, Lesson 8 Boaz’s Response: Righteous or Racy?
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Redeeming Real Estate, Ruth or Souls?
Megillat Ruth in Depth Part 25 Chapter 3, Lesson 7 The brash and brazen nature of her approach notwithstanding, Ruth tactfully conveys her ultimate goal: holy matrimony! She even makes the case for it, because “you’re a redeemer.” Rashi elucidates: “Since it's incumbent upon you to redeem my…
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In the Middle of the Night...
Megillat Ruth in Depth: Chapter 3, Lesson 6 (PT 24) "In the Middle of the Night... Ruth’s shocking nocturnal rendezvous with Boaz... Book of Ruth" , (Chapter 3; 8-9)
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Faithful Follower
Megillat Ruth in Depth: Chapter 3, Lesson 5 (PT 23) The Creative, Yet Faithful, Follower: Setting deep misgivings aside; Ruth chooses to follow Naomi’s spiritual intuition – placing implicit trust her inspired vision and guidance. Yet, for all her faithfulness she does not surrender her own...
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Truth or Dare
Megillat Ruth in Depth: Chapter 3, Lesson 4 (PT 22) "Truth or Dare" Revealing final details of her daring plan, Naomi, in effect seeks to force a historic moment of truth upon Boaz. Despite the likelihood of great indignity and even possible danger, Ruth humbly and respectfully agrees to follow…
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Dressed to the Nines
Megillat Ruth in Depth: Chapter 3, Lesson 3 (PT 21) "Dressed to the Nines" Setting her daring plan into action, the ever detail-oriented Naomi gives her shy and attractive daughter-in-law instructions on how to prepare for her date with destiny. The surprising “meddling mother-in-law” advice:...
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An Inconvenient Truth
Megillat Ruth in Depth: Chapter 3, Lesson 2 (PT 20) "An Inconvenient Truth" The dramatic plot thickens as Naomi begins to detail her daring plan. In addition to superbly clarifying the straightforward meaning and nuances of this seemingly enigmatic verse; an overarching new perspective is...
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Lunch-Date with Destiny
Megillat Ruth in Depth: Chapter 2, Lesson 5 (PT 13) Lunch-Date with Destiny. Our humble heroine is invited to lunch with the plantation employees. She modestly sits away from the raucous male-dominated meal; eats little yet finds herself remarkably satiated. Boaz goes out of his way to make Ruth...
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A Princess of Interest
Megillat Ruth in Depth: Chapter 2, Lesson 4 (PT 12) A Princess of Interest. As the plot thickens, our heroine, the beautiful young pauper-princess Ruth, is overwhelmed by the warm welcome and special attention paid to her by the older wealthy plantation owner Boaz. He in turn reveals why she is a...
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The Divinely Designed Meeting of Destiny
Megillat Ruth in Depth:Chapter 2, Lesson 3 (PT 11) The Divinely Designed Meeting of Destiny. Boaz now meets Ruth face-to-face for the very first time. While there's no “instant magic,” the older judge immediately eases the anxiety of the poverty-stricken younger Princess; while moving to better…
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Divine Design and the Welfare Queen!
Megillat Ruth in Depth: Chapter 2, Lesson 2 (PT 10) Divine Design and the Welfare Queen! In this fascinating class, continuing to study the second chapter of Megillat Rut, we discover how Boaz, Naomi’s affluent cousin, notices the beautiful Moabite Princess who’s been reduced to scrounging for...
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Rich and Powerful Relatives
Megillat Ruth in Depth: Chapter 2, Lesson 1 (PT 9) Rich and Powerful Relatives
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Ruth: Return or Reincarnation?
Megillat Ruth in Depth: Chapter 1, Lesson 8 (PT 8) Ruth: Return or Reincarnation?
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Arrival in Bethlehem
Megillat Ruth in Depth: Chapter 1, Lesson 7 (PT 7) Arrival in Bethlehem
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Ruth's Remarkable Resolve
Megillat Ruth in Depth: Chapter 1, Lesson 6 (PT 6) Ruth's Remarkable Resolve
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The Parting of Princesses
Megillat Ruth in Depth: Chapter 1, Lesson 5 (PT 5) The Parting of Princesses
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Dissuasion of Potential Converts
Megillat Ruth in Depth: Chapter 1, Lesson 4 (PT 4) Dissuasion of Potential Converts
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Journey to Judea: A Fateful Resolve to Return
Megillat Ruth in Depth: Chapter 1, Lesson 3, (PT 3) Journey to Judea: A Fateful Resolve to Return
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Assimilation, Intermarriage and Dissolution
Assimilation, Intermarriage and Dissolution: Megillat Rut in Depth, Chapter 1, Lesson 2 (PT2)
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Self-Preservation and Its Fatal Consequences
Self-Preservation and Its Fatal Consequences: Megillat Rut in Depth, Chapter 1, Lesson 1 (PT 1)
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Truth or Dare
Megillat Ruth in Depth: Chapter 3, Lesson 1 (PT 19) Naomi’s Radical Plan: “Truth or Dare” As a new chapter opens, the narrative undergoes a paradigm shift. Henceforth, it is no longer Ruth the righteous convert driving the process, but rather her aristocratic mother-in-law, Naomi. With the…
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Moabite Misgivings: Did Ruth Regress?!
Megillat Rut in Depth: Chapter 2, Lesson 10 (PT 18) Moabite Misgivings! In the final verses of chapter two, the righteous Ruth is suddenly again entitled Moabite. Is this indicative of moral regression, and why did she change key details in recounting Boaz’s generous offer? This class richly...
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Ruth, Royalty & Redemption
Megillat Rut in Depth: Chapter 2, Lesson 9 (PT 17) Ruth, Royalty and Redemption. Decoding a deceptively casual conversation; we reveal a subtext laden and layered with deep meaning and historical context. The wide-ranging commentary encompasses an extraordinary swath of Torah concepts; including...
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Ruth’s Field Report
Megillat Rut in Depth: Chapter 2, Lesson 8 (PT 16) Ruth’s Field Report. Ruth’s safe return relieves Naomi, yet she anxiously inquires about her daughter-in-law's surprising success; who in turn excitedly reports on the day’s amazing harvest happenings. This careful study of their conversation and...
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Heroine Homecoming!
Megillat Rut in Depth: Chapter 2, Lesson 7 (PT 15) Ruth Returns. Spending the balance of the day diligently collecting gleanings in the harvesting fields, Ruth finds extraordinary success. As the shadows grow longer she happily prepares to head back home to Naomi. These verses contain no verbal...
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Return of Ruth the Royal
Megillat Rut in Depth: Chapter 2, Lesson 6 (PT 14) Ruth’s Return to Royalty. On the heels of an unexpectedly warm welcome and generous lunch invitation, the “pauper princess” modestly rises to resume gathering gleanings. Her alacrity and buoyed spirits is understood to speak volumes. Seeking the...
About this show
The Book of Ruth is one of the five megillot (scrolls), part of the section of the Hebrew Bible called Writings, and is traditionally read on the holiday of Shavuot. It tells the story of Ruth, a widow of Moabite origin who insists on staying with her widowed, Israelite mother-in-law, declaring “wherever you go, I will go... your people shall be my people, and your God my God” (1:16). Ruth’s loyalty leads her to the field of her kinsman, Boaz, whom she ultimately marries. Together they have a child, who later becomes the grandfather of King David.
Hosted by
Rabbi Mendel Kaplan
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