From Emptiness to Fulfillment

Rabbi Melanie Aron

Wenesday, May 19, 2010 - Shavuot Yizkor

The special reading for Shavuot from the 5 Scrolls is the Book of Ruth. Usually a parallel is drawn between the Jewish people accepting the Torah on Mt. Sinai, and Ruth’s moving speech, “thy people shall be my people and thy God, my God.” It is also seasonally appropriate because the important events in this book take place during the barley and wheat harvest, and because King David, was traditionally thought to have been born and died on Shavuot.

This year in looking at the book of Ruth, I found myself more drawn to Naomi. Her name means pleasantness but when we first meet her in the story, she is bitterness itself.

“Do not call me Naomi,” she replied. “Call me Mara, for Shaddai has made my lot very bitter. I went away full and the Lord had brought me back empty. How can you call me Naomi, when the Lord has dealt harshly with me, when Shaddai has brought misfortunate upon me.” Thus Naomi returned from the country of Moab.”

Naomi’s losses have changed her to the point that she cannot see any good in the things that have happened to her. Though her daughter-in-law cleaves to her, she reports to her friends that she has returned from Moab with nothing. Slowly though as the story continues, Naomi is restored to life. What is it that brings her back to a sense of fullness and joy?

At first there is nothing that energizes her, she is completely passive. At the beginning of the second chapter, it is Ruth who must take the initiative and figure out how they will get food.

Slowly though Naomi responds to the pressing needs of her daughter-in-law and herself. She advises Ruth to continue to glean at Boaz’s field, which she does until the end of the harvest. They must avoid starvation.

Finally, in the third scene in this short story, Naomi lifts herself out of her own concerns and shows caring towards Ruth. She takes the initiative, “Daughter, I must seek a home for you, where you may be happy.” And it is through this caring act for Ruth, that Naomi will ultimately find fulfillment. The story ends with Naomi holding Ruth’s baby Obed, father of Jesse, father of David. The women of the community call out her name Naomi, pleasantness, once again as they did on her return from Moab, but this time she does not refute them.

When Naomi was first bereft of her husband and sons, there was nothing that could comfort her. She needed others to care for her. As she moved forward, she was able to focus on those things that needed to be done, survival. Only with healing was she able to turn her attention to another’s needs, but we also must note that it is with that turn in focus, that her real healing takes place.

As we gather here this afternoon we are at different places along Naomi’s path. Some are in need of the support of family and friends, some are able to motivate themselves to do what they must because of pressing needs, food and shelter, children who need an adult in their lives, other family members who depend on us. When we are able to consider the needs of others- is that a sign that we are already on the road to healing, or is it the first step that leads to the healing road?

One commentary summarizes the book of Ruth as the “Movement from Emptiness to Fulfillment.” It takes place on two levels, the agricultural and the emotional. The story begins in famine and ends with Boaz’s plentiful harvest. It begins with Naomi cut off, and ends in her reconnection. It is Chesed that loyalty and commitment we show in caring for others that makes it happen.