ruth and mary Magdalene
Uploaded by joeydaprof (2101) on Jun 12, 2006 |
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[B] Explain the importance of Ruth (Judaism) and Mary Magdalene (Christianity) to the lived tradition of their respective Religious Traditions, with specific references to variants where applicable?
The importance of Rus [as it is spelt in the Jewish Tradition] and Mary Magdalene in their respective faiths can be seen in the way different variant have interpreted their stories into lived tradition [how you apply the stories in to our life or use the stories as an example]. Rus’s story applying mainly to the Orthodox variant of Judaism plays an integral role Jewish ritual and understanding of the past. Mary Magdalene’s, on the other hand, is interpreted differently in the three Christian variants of Lutheran, Catholic and Orthodox but the importance of her story is evident and how the variants receive and live out her message.
According to a lecture by Tsiporah Heller "Great Women: Rus and Naomi" on www.torah.org, the book of Rus takes place in a time of anarchy where religion was lost to many of those in Israel. It was during a famine which is stated in the Midrash [text expression of Halakah] to have been sent by God as a “test of faith”. Judaism interprets the story of Rus as an example of laws [Mitzvoth and Halakah] and ways of conduct within the Jewish faith which are challenging but have to be adhered to. Rus is an example of a foreigner who accepted and lived out the rules but is symbolically Israel and how they should follow the laws of Yahweh. This is illustrated for example in Rus’ statements of commitment to Naomi.
"Where you go, I'll go": According to the Midrash this refers to the travel limitation laws during “Shabbat” and that Rus is agreeing and committing to such laws as should the Jew in times of Shabbat.
"Where you sleep, I'll sleep:" This verse refers to laws of "yichud," which regulate the time in which men and women can sleep together and Rus is pledging to the Jewish limitations of when she can sleep with a man in the same way in which the Jewish people should follow this law.
In Ruth 1:16-18, Ruth commits herself fully to Judaism, in the same way through lived tradition so should a Jew.
According to the Midrash Rus while she gleans in the field of Boaz is on bended knee as not to expose her legs and thus displays an important Jewish quality of "tsniut" [modesty], Rus honouring such a quality is significant because she is a Moabite, a race known for promiscuity and her actions signify how she has left past ways behind and has totally committed herself to Judaism. Rus connection to Boaz is important in the Torah law of "yibum," [levirate marriage] and Rus following through such laws exemplifies a way a woman must conduct herself. According to Tsiporah Heller “Rus created for herself a life of dignity which inspires us to assess our own surroundings and to transcend their less desirable aspects” Rus in lived tradition encourages contemporary Orthodox Jewish women to stay committed to the laws of Judaism, give up any prior bad habits and live a dignified life.
Rus is rewarded by her commitment, chesed, to the Jewish life and laws and is therefore rewarded by having her status restored; she brings honour back to the family of Naomi and becomes the descendant of Israel’s infamous King David. In the lived tradition Rus symbolises that Yahweh will reward all of whom are chesed, even foreigners and the lowliest of people. Rus is meant to serve as reminder of chesed in living tradition and that people should be like Rus and always remain faithful and loyal to Yahweh.
According to Rabbi Aryeh Winter, also of www.torah.org, Rus teaches to give charity and be self-sacrificing, as she was by staying by Naomi and staying faithful to her, even though she could have retuned to her people. Rus’ shows the Jewish people that being charitable and self-sacrificing will bring them blessings, as Rus was blessed when she bore a son, the ancestor of King David.
Rabbi Yehudah Prero states that Rus acts of kindness are to be emulated by the Jewish people especially during the time of Shavu’os when the Megilla Rus is read in the synagogue. Shavu’os marks the anniversary of Yahweh giving Israel the Torah and the Jewish people are to follow Rus as an example in reaccepting and reaffirming the belief in the Torah with the same commitment and loyalty as she had.
It is evident that Rus is important in practicing lived tradition as there is a lot of meaning for the Jewish people to apply in their lives from the Megilla Rus. Rus is instructive of Halakah from the Midrash, she is also representative of how Israel should act and what are the effects of such action and she is also a reminder to the Jewish people of how they should accept the Torah.
Mary Magdalene is important to the way in which people should conduct themselves in certain situations and like Rus references to Mary Magdalene in the bible are instructive of the lived tradition.
The Missouri Lutheran Synod commented, that Mary from Magdala was viewed most importantly for, along with several other women, being a committed and loyal supporter of Christ, who in Luke 8: 2, “used [her] own resources to help Jesus and his disciples.” Also, for witnessing the crucifixion of the Lord, observing Jesus' burial and for being the first to see the resurrected Lord and to proclaim the message of the good news.
In remembrance of Mary Magdalene’s faithfulness to Jesus Lutheran followers are encouraged to learn to give thanks to God for the mercy he showed Mary and the mercy he continues to show the Christian people. The Lutheran variant interprets Mary Magdalene through her actions; and believes she shows them way to the crucified and risen Lord, being the first person to tell others of Jesus' resurrection.
Her faithful discipleship in following Jesus, supporting his ministry, and remaining loyal through the crucifixion is to be emulated by those in the Christian Luthern denomination. Mary Magdalene proclaiming and witnessing the resurrection is how a Lutheran must also spread the Good Word of the Lord. Mary experienced the Lord's mercy, compassion, forgiveness, life and salvation and this demonstrates his grace towards his believers.
In the Lutheran observance of July 22 as the day to commemorate Mary Magdalene, the Missouri Luthern Synod encourages that people should focus on Jesus, whom Mary Magdalene had focused on. “Mary Magdalene encourages by example to stand at the foot of the cross and to witness the empty tomb, that we may there seek and find–as she did–our life and salvation in Christ alone.”
The Lutheran variant, generally in terms of lived tradition emphasis the importance of Mary Magdalene as a faithful disciple of Christ and her actions and commitment are to followed by those in the Luthern denomination.
The Roman Catholic, on the other hand, has traditionally considered Mary Magdalene to be the sinner Mary of Luke 7:36-50, “In that town was a woman who lived a sinful life”, the infamous repentant prostitute who washed the feet of Jesus with her tears and dried them with her hair. Also the sister of Martha and the resurrected Lazarus, of Luke 10:38-42 and John 11. Mary Magdalene has been made a Saint in the Roman Catholic Church and is known as the Queen of Penitents. In terms of lived tradition, the Catholic variant emulate Mary Magdalene as the sinner who changed her ways, and when a Catholic turns from sin they should be like Mary and be truly repentant and change. Mary Magdalene is valued for the deep sorrow she felt as she turned from her ‘evil’ life, and a repentant Catholic in the same way should feel a deep sorrow for the sins they had committed. “He had chosen first to show himself to Mary Magdalene the repentant sinner” [link from www.newadventdictionary.org], Mary being the first to witness the Risen Lord, exemplifies that the Lord loves and honours all those who turn away from sin and Catholics value this aspect of Mary’s story that they shall receive salvation and grace when the turn away from sin.
The Catholic Church emphasises, in lived tradition, the idea that Mary Magdalene was a repentant prostitute whose transformation into a devoted follower of Christ should be copied.
The Eastern Orthodox again emphasises a different version of Mary Magdalene in their lived tradition. The Orthodox Church rejects the tainted view concerning the life of Mary Magdalene which is herald to be a more westernised view of events. According to Karen Rae Keck the Orthodox Church incorporates an extra-biblical Christian tradition concerning Mary Magdalene. She is believed to be woman of wealth and social status. Following Jesus Christ's death and resurrection, she used her position to gain an invitation to a banquet given by Emperor Tiberius Caesar. When she met him, she held a plain egg in her hand and exclaimed "Christ is risen!" Caesar laughed, and said that Christ rising from the dead was as likely as the egg in her hand turning red while she held it. Before he finished speaking, the egg in her hand turned a bright red, and she continued proclaiming the Gospel to the entire imperial house. To the Eastern Orthodox followers Mary’s courage in proclaiming the Good News of the Lord to a Roman emperor would have been a quality to incorporate into their own lives, the Orthodox Christians strongly believe in the proclamation and celebration of the resurrection which they have derived from the actions of Mary. The Orthodox variant also believe Mary Magdalene travelled to Ephesus to teach, and was valued by the Orthodox church as a great leader, teacher and follower of Christ, in their own lives Orthodox followers use Mary as an example to teach, lead and follow the words of Christ. There is a large emphasis amongst Eastern Orthodox Christians to proclaim the resurrection and Easter in Orthodox in viewed with great respect, and in respect to Mary and her proclamation Orthodox Christians still colour their Easter eggs red. The eggs represent new life, and Christ bursting forth from the tomb. This began one tradition of colouring Easter eggs
The Orthodox Christians in their lived tradition, value Mary Magdalene’s proclamation of the Good News.
Rus is important in the Jewish faith for her actions and the significance they have in instructing Jewish people in their lived tradition on how they must honour the laws of Judaism, what is considered honourable conduct and how they should chesed to the teaching of the Torah as Rus was. Though Christianity has differing interpretations of how Mary Magdalene is instructive for lived tradition they all value aspects of Mary that are important to the daily lives of people in the Christian faith. Whether it be the Lutheran interpretation of being a good and committed disciple, the Catholic concept of the truly penitent sinner of the Orthodox emphasis on the proclaiming the Good news of resurrection, all are instructive and useful to the different variants on how a Christian should conduct themselves, encouraging in all ways a good form of behaviour. |
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