Read the text of Rus 4
Transcription
Welcome back to NachDaily as we begin the 4th perek of Rus. Iy”H
we’ll finish the perek and megillah in the next shiur.
This perek focuses on the public acquisition of Rus and her
acceptance into Am Yisrael. This was the primary purpose for Shmuel
Hanavi writing Megilas Rus.
In the previous perek, Boaz had committed to redeeming Rus. She
returned home and shared the good news with Naomi while Boaz,
who was head of the Sanhedrin, went there to find out whether or
not Rus’s true redeemer, known as Ploni Almoni or Tov, would be
interested in being her goel. The Malbim explains that Hashem’s
providence had arranged for the redeemer to pass by the
Sanhedrin at that exact moment, saving Boaz from having to look for
him.
The Rav M’Bartenura explains that although Hashem desires to
redeem Am Yisrael, we don’t know when that will happen. But there
is a closer redeemer: if Am Yisrael is worthy and has zechusim, merits,
and we all do teshuva, then the Geula would happen immediately.
It’s known that the Lubavitcher Rebbe at one point would sign his
letters, “Alter letsuhva, Alter Hageulah.” Immediate teshuva equals
immediate redemption.
Boaz called over Ploni Almoni and asked him to stand in front of 10
men. Malbim adds that Boaz wanted to do it in front of a minyan so
that when the legal issues were clarified, they could hold the
wedding immediately. The Alshich notes however, that Boaz
especially wanted to publicize the halacha allowing one to marry a
female convert from Moav.
Rashi explains that the possible redeemer is called Ploni Almoni,
which is equivalent to John Doe, because scripture didn’t want to
embarrass him for not marrying Rus, although this was also an insult
to Tov, saying that he was empty- headed of Divrei Torah because
he didn’t know that it was permissible to marry a female convert
from Maov.
Boaz informs the redeemer that Naomi has come back from Moav
and her property is for sale. “You have the opportunity to acquire it
for yourself, because you are the closest living relative to Elimelech. If
you choose not to, I’m next in line and I will.”
Verse 4 says, “Im tigal, g’al. V’im lo yigal hagidah li, v’aida ki ain
zulas’cha lig’ole, v’anochi acharecha – If you’re willing to redeem it,
than redeem. But if you won’t redeem it, tell me.”
The Rav MiBartenurah explains that Hashem says if you have your
own zechusim then Tov, good, you’ll be redeemed. But if not I will
ultimately redeem you. I will be forced to redeem my nation
because of the vow that I made long ago.
Initially, Ploni Almoni answers that he will redeem Elimelech’s
property. However, when Boaz informs him that Rus has to come
along with it, he declines.
The Rav MiBartenura explains that in a deeper sense, Elimelech’s
field being available represents the removal of the harsh decrees
which will be removed from Am Yisrael at the end of days in the
times of Mashiach. Even if we have no merits left, Hashem, the
Creator of all, promises that He will redeem us! Not because we
deserve it, not for our sake, but for His, because every moment that
the Jewish nation is in galus it’s considered a chilul Hashem,
desecration of God’s name. We must take this lesson to heart,
increase our emunah, and never give up!
In verse 6, Ploni Almoni says, “Then I cannot redeem it for myself” lest
I mar my own inheritance. You take over my redemption right, for I
am unable to redeem.
There are obviously many explanations as to why Ploni Almoni initially
said yes, then said no. The simplest reason is because he didn’t
believe that a Moavi woman could marry into the Jewish nation. But
the question really is, why didn’t he trust Boaz, who was the Tzaddik
and head possek of the generation?
The Maharsha answers in Yevamos 77a. that Ploni Almoni trusted
Boaz, but what would be the halachic status of children born from
such a woman? The Sifsei Chochomim adds that Boaz didn’t have
any children, and therefore wasn’t bothered by this. The Targum and
Alshich explain that Ploni Almoni was currently married, and was
concerned that bringing home another wife would destroy his
marital harmony.
Stay tuned to the next episode of NachDaily, as we finish Megilas Rus
and actually see the Neshama of Mashiach being drawn into this
world.
Thank you for listening, and have a wonderful day.
we’ll finish the perek and megillah in the next shiur.
This perek focuses on the public acquisition of Rus and her
acceptance into Am Yisrael. This was the primary purpose for Shmuel
Hanavi writing Megilas Rus.
In the previous perek, Boaz had committed to redeeming Rus. She
returned home and shared the good news with Naomi while Boaz,
who was head of the Sanhedrin, went there to find out whether or
not Rus’s true redeemer, known as Ploni Almoni or Tov, would be
interested in being her goel. The Malbim explains that Hashem’s
providence had arranged for the redeemer to pass by the
Sanhedrin at that exact moment, saving Boaz from having to look for
him.
The Rav M’Bartenura explains that although Hashem desires to
redeem Am Yisrael, we don’t know when that will happen. But there
is a closer redeemer: if Am Yisrael is worthy and has zechusim, merits,
and we all do teshuva, then the Geula would happen immediately.
It’s known that the Lubavitcher Rebbe at one point would sign his
letters, “Alter letsuhva, Alter Hageulah.” Immediate teshuva equals
immediate redemption.
Boaz called over Ploni Almoni and asked him to stand in front of 10
men. Malbim adds that Boaz wanted to do it in front of a minyan so
that when the legal issues were clarified, they could hold the
wedding immediately. The Alshich notes however, that Boaz
especially wanted to publicize the halacha allowing one to marry a
female convert from Moav.
Rashi explains that the possible redeemer is called Ploni Almoni,
which is equivalent to John Doe, because scripture didn’t want to
embarrass him for not marrying Rus, although this was also an insult
to Tov, saying that he was empty- headed of Divrei Torah because
he didn’t know that it was permissible to marry a female convert
from Maov.
Boaz informs the redeemer that Naomi has come back from Moav
and her property is for sale. “You have the opportunity to acquire it
for yourself, because you are the closest living relative to Elimelech. If
you choose not to, I’m next in line and I will.”
Verse 4 says, “Im tigal, g’al. V’im lo yigal hagidah li, v’aida ki ain
zulas’cha lig’ole, v’anochi acharecha – If you’re willing to redeem it,
than redeem. But if you won’t redeem it, tell me.”
The Rav MiBartenurah explains that Hashem says if you have your
own zechusim then Tov, good, you’ll be redeemed. But if not I will
ultimately redeem you. I will be forced to redeem my nation
because of the vow that I made long ago.
Initially, Ploni Almoni answers that he will redeem Elimelech’s
property. However, when Boaz informs him that Rus has to come
along with it, he declines.
The Rav MiBartenura explains that in a deeper sense, Elimelech’s
field being available represents the removal of the harsh decrees
which will be removed from Am Yisrael at the end of days in the
times of Mashiach. Even if we have no merits left, Hashem, the
Creator of all, promises that He will redeem us! Not because we
deserve it, not for our sake, but for His, because every moment that
the Jewish nation is in galus it’s considered a chilul Hashem,
desecration of God’s name. We must take this lesson to heart,
increase our emunah, and never give up!
In verse 6, Ploni Almoni says, “Then I cannot redeem it for myself” lest
I mar my own inheritance. You take over my redemption right, for I
am unable to redeem.
There are obviously many explanations as to why Ploni Almoni initially
said yes, then said no. The simplest reason is because he didn’t
believe that a Moavi woman could marry into the Jewish nation. But
the question really is, why didn’t he trust Boaz, who was the Tzaddik
and head possek of the generation?
The Maharsha answers in Yevamos 77a. that Ploni Almoni trusted
Boaz, but what would be the halachic status of children born from
such a woman? The Sifsei Chochomim adds that Boaz didn’t have
any children, and therefore wasn’t bothered by this. The Targum and
Alshich explain that Ploni Almoni was currently married, and was
concerned that bringing home another wife would destroy his
marital harmony.
Stay tuned to the next episode of NachDaily, as we finish Megilas Rus
and actually see the Neshama of Mashiach being drawn into this
world.
Thank you for listening, and have a wonderful day.