Shavuot, running and apology....

As Reform Jews, we link the rite of passage of Confirmation with the Festival of Shavuot. In part, the holiday celebrates the receiving of the Ten Commandments. Shavuot occurs seven weeks after Pesach in order to teach us that in Judaism, the Exodus from Egypt is directly tied to the receiving of the Torah. In other words, in the tradition that guides our lives, there is no freedom without responsibility.

To further illustrate this truth, we read the Book of Ruth on Shavuot as well. In it, a poor, old Israelite widow, Naomi, is joined in friendship by her Moabite daughter-in-law Ruth, who supports and sustains her on her lonely journey back to Canaan. Leaving her family behind and sacrificing a certain future for the unknown, Ruth declares: “Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God." Ruth’s commitment to Naomi and to Judaism is rewarded further when a distant relative of Naomi, a man named Boaz, allows Ruth to glean fruit from the corners of his fields, marries her and, with her, creates a child. This child, Obed, becomes the father of Jesse, who is the father of King David, the greatest ruler our people has ever known. During his rule, not only is peace established, but his reign brings with it the promise of ultimate peace, as the Messiah, the redeemer of all of humanity, is to descend from David and herald a time of peace on earth for all people.

This brief, four chapter story teaches us many lessons about the essence of Jewish life. Most importantly, the Book of Ruth teaches us that we never know what person, word, deed or event may influence and alter our lives forever. Acts of kindness in the story have ripple effects for eternity. Boaz’s redemption of Ruth from isolation and poverty to prosperity and joy yield possibilities for the redemption not only of the Jewish people, but of the world. May this holiday of Shavuot, time of receiving our Torah, remind us of all of the great gifts that we have received and connect us ever stronger to our foundation, our Tree of Life.