Anonymity or Eternity - editor's title (1956)
1. The Book of Ruth read on Shavuot is a beautiful and inspiring story, instructive to us in many ways. The story itself is fairly simple, and most of us are, or should be, well acquainted with it. The cast of characters is well-known: Boaz, Ruth, and Naomi as the major characters, and Orpah, Elimelech, Machlon, and Kilion as the minor characters. 2. But there is one personage who makes a brief appearance in this book whom we may designate as the “mystery man.” The Bible doesn’t even give him a name. He is an anonymous and therefore mysterious character. You recall that Boaz was determined to marry this young widow of his cousin, this Moabite girl Ruth who had embraced Judaism. Now, since Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi owned the land left to them by their husbands, marriage would mean that these lands would be transferred to the new husbands. Let us remember that in those days, real estate had more than commercial value – it meant the family inheritance, and sentiment was supported by law in making every attempt to keep property within the family or as close to it as possible. Now, while Boaz was a first cousin, there was a nearer relative – the brother of Elimelech, who was the father of her late husband. Before Boaz could marry her and take possession of the family property, he must have the closer relative’s consent (this relative is called the go’el, or redeemer, for he redeems the family’s possessions). Boaz, therefore, met this man, offered him priority in purchasing the lands of father and sons. He seemed willing to do this, regardless of price. But when Boaz told him that he would also have to marry Ruth if he should redeem the land, this go’el hesitated, then refused. I can’t do it, he said. Boaz was then next in line for the right of redemption, and that he did, and, of course, he married Ruth too, and from them, four generations later, came one of the greatest Jews who ever lived, King David. 3. Who is this relative who missed the opportunity of his li…
