Ruth and Mary Magdalene
Uploaded by joeydaprof on Jun 12, 2006
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...