The Ninth Online NGFP Course will launch on May 18th.
Prof. Avigdor Shinan, Midrash professor at Hebrew University, Jerusalem, will study and discuss with us the scroll of Ruth in Midrashic Literature.

From around the 8th or 9th century the Scroll of Ruth (מגילת רות) has been read in most Jewish communities around the world on Shavuot (שבועות). Hence, it is appropriate we study this scroll with the approach of this holiday. This course will provide an opportunity to study the Scroll by reading Midrash Ruth Rabbah.

Ruth Rabbah (רות רבה) is an Aggadic Midrash, which deals with the Scroll of Ruth. The Midrash, divided into eight chapters or sections ("parashiyyot" - פרשיות), covers the whole text of the Biblical book, interpreting it verse by verse, in different and very variegated ways. The treatment of the Scroll is preceded in the Midrash by a very long introduction ("petihata" = פתיחָתא), composed of several proems ("Petichot" - פתיחות). The editor – who lived in Eretz Israel in the sixth century – uses mainly Palestinian sources (such as the Talmud of the Land of Israel – תלמוד ירושלמי) and his work shows no traces of Babylonian influence.

In this short course on Ruth Rabbah we shall read and discuss portions of this Midrash dealing with its (1) treatment of the biblical figures; (2) stories, and (3) proems.