In Giving, We Receive

By RABBI DAVID ROSENN

On Shavuot, we read the Book of Ruth, a story about foreigners and refugees benefiting from the kindness of others. The first kindness is Ruth's, who, after her husband has died, pledges to stay by the side of her mother-in-law Naomi as Naomi heads back penniless to the land of Israel. Ruth's famous words of devotion are the best known passage in the story:

Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live; your people shall be my people and your God shall be my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. (Ruth 1:16-17)

When they arrive in the land of Israel, Ruth and Naomi approach the property of a local landowner named Boaz, who allows them to collect sheaves of barley from his field. Boaz shows special kindness to Ruth, protecting her from the molestations of the field workers and providing her with extra provisions.

Eventually, Boaz marries Ruth, thus putting an end to her precarious economic situation.

On the face of it, Boaz provides enormous help to Ruth and Naomi. But the Sages drew a different conclusion from the story:

It was taught in the name of Rabbi Yehoshua: The poor person at the door does more for the homeowner than the homeowner does for the poor person at the door. How do we know it? The verse says: "The man's name who I helped today is Boaz." (Ruth 2:19). Ruth did not say "who helped me," but "who I helped."

(Vayikra Rabbah 34:8)

How did Ruth help Boaz? Do you agree with Rabbi Yehoshua's claim that beggars do more for those who contribute to them more than the other way around? What do people who ask for and accept our help give to us?