Shavuot 5769--Standing at Mount Sinai

On Shavuot, which this year begins on Thursday night, May 28, we read the book of Ruth. The book orbits around the stories of two women, Naomi and Ruth, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, and the relationship they create. Ruth, a Moabite, marries Naomi’s son, an Israelite. After the untimely death of her husband, Ruth pledges her loyalty to Naomi and chooses to journey with her away from Moab and back to the land of Naomi’s people.

The story of Ruth is an ancient story and the soul bearing line she delivers to her mother-in-law is one that has been remembered for generations. Ruth says, “Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16). With these famous words, Ruth pledges herself to her mother-in-law and to Naomi’s people. Ruth, we are taught, is the first convert to Judaism.

What is most striking about Ruth’s pledge of loyalty is the order of the verse:

• I am with you
• I will journey with you
• I will live with you
• Your people will become my own
• Your God will become my own

There are many roads into Jewish life. Our Jewish identities are often based on the choices we make along the way: The families and places from which we come, the schools and camps we attend, the places we travel to and settle in, the people we know, and the beliefs we hold central. The story of Ruth emphasizes what we all know to be true: At different stages in our lives these components hold different weight. Being Jewish does not always center around belief, ideology, or location. But, sometimes it does. Being Jewish does not always center around community, family, and friends. But sometimes it does.

Ruth understands the complexity of creating a Jewish life She understands that sometimes a close relationship with another person allows us to open our hearts to those things that person holds dear. Sometimes a move to a place brings us unexpectedly into a new Jewish community. Sometimes an existential yearning develops into a course of study, or a search for meaning leads us to a prayer practice. Life is full of doors. It is up to us which doors we choose to see, to open, and to walk through.

On this Shavuot, I invite you to consider Ruth’s pledge to Naomi anew. Ruth speaks of deep relationships, personal growth, created community, articulated meaning, and spiritual curiosity.

Which aspects of this pledge resonate closest to your current life experiences? What fills your life?

Which aspects of this pledge feel far from where you are right now? What is missing from your life?

On Shavuot, we stand again at Mount Sinai and receive Torah anew. We have the ability to articulate the Torah of our lives. We have the ability to choose what we will value and what will shape our existence. On this Shavuot, as you stand at Sinai once again, open your heart to choosing your life anew. Who knows where it might take you!