Week 1
Reading assignment:
Introductory Proems in Midrash Ruth Rabbah
Jewish Enclopedia article on Midrash Ruth Rabbah
Midrash Ruth Rabbah in Hebrew

Shalom to all –

The editor of Ruth Rabbah (6th century, the Land of Israel) opens his Midrash with 6 proems – Petichta [פתיחתא or פתיחה], plural: Petichtaot, all ending with the first verse of the scroll – followed by a long prologue, and only than continues with discussing the scroll, verse by verse. (Similar phenomenon can be seen in the Midrash to the scroll of Lamentation.)

The first week of studying this Midrash will be devoted to 3 of the Petichtaot and the long prologue. (Information about the Petichta – its origin, structure and goal – can be easily found on the internet.)

The participants are advised to study the text (in English translation of course) and be ready to discuss one or more of these issues:

• Do you see any difference in the tone and/or aim of the various Petichtaot?
  

• Please share with us your impression of the 3 Petichtaot. Which one of them you like the most? Why?

• How do you find the Petichtaot and the prologue as an introduction to the Midrash on the scroll of Ruth? What do you expect to find later on in the Midrash?

Good luck and enjoy!

Avigdor Shinan

Week 2
Reading assignment:
Selected units from Midrash Ruth Rabbah

Shalom from Jerusalem!

This week will be devoted to selected units from the Midrash on the first chapter of the scroll of Ruth (especially the ways it midrashize the names of Elimelech's family) and to two stories (out of around 10 which are found in Ruth Rabbah) which deal with relationship between Jews and Gentiles. These stories (texts 7 and 8) are both interesting and intriguing and I look forward to your comment on them. They are not easily understood (as many of the stories of the rabbis) and they serve also – in this course – as an introduction to the other stories of the Midrash which will be dealt with next week.

Questions and issues that I would like to concentrate around:

• The image of Elimelech in the Midrash (as opposed to his biblical description!
  

• The strange names of his sons. Why would anyone call children by names which imply death and disaster?

• Why do you think that the Midrash made Ruth and Orpha sisters and princesses?

• How do you react to stories 7 and 8? Do you like them (do not hesitate to say "no")? Would you use them in any actual situation these days?

Enjoy!

Avigdor Shinan

PS. I got some of your letters, regarding the first week, after composing my final remarks about that week's lesson. I will try and relate to those letters later this week.

Week 3
Reading assignment:
Selected units from Midrash Ruth Rabbah

Shalom from Jerusalem!

Shavuot is approaching and it's time to move from the petichtaot of Midrash Ruth Rabbah and its Midrashic explanations of various verses to some of the the stories which this text contains. I sent you last week 2 such stories (and will relate to your responses later this week) and now I am sending some other stories which can be found in Ruth Rabbah. They differ from each other in many ways, yet they all belong to the same composition called "Midrash Ruth Rabbah" and we must assume that the redactor of this text chose these stories out of many more and put them in his composition in purpose.

Please read these stories.

I wonder if you would like to share with us (a) your understanding of the values they convey, (b) your appreciation of their literary quality and especially (c) the connections that you may find between the Scroll of Ruth and these stories. You may add to your discussion the 2 stories which we read last week. Now you have in your passions 5 out of the 10 stories of this fascinating Midrash!

ENJOY!

Avigdor