Ruth: From Alienation to Monarchy

by Yael Ziegler

In this fluent and penetrating study of the Book of Ruth, Yael Ziegler provides a masterful primer on how to read biblical narratives with sensitivity and depth, using recent methodological breakthroughs in the study of Tanakh. Beyond providing an eye-opening reading of a familiar biblical book, the author creatively demonstrates that midrashic readings can reveal deep strata of textual meaning, and combines these insights with classical and contemporary scholarship to uncover the religious messages of this beautifully crafted story. In Ruth: From Alienation and Monarchy, modern techniques of literary analysis and rabbinic homilies merge to yield common insights into themes such as leadership, redemption, identity, and social morality.

The Book of Ruth, with its focus on the exemplary behavior of Ruth and Boaz, stands at the crossroads between society’s downward trajectory during the era of the Judges and its ascent during the era of the monarchy. It teaches the timeless lesson of how two individuals can act in accordance with their own conscience and, through small acts of kindness and humanity, change the course of history and restore hope and unity to a nation.

Genres: Judaism, Jewish, Judaica

648 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 15, 2015

Reviews

[Zack · Rating 5 out of 5]

This commentary is concerned primarily to take a literary-theological approach to understanding the text of Ruth, extensively taking into account rabbinic sources (ancient, medieval, and modern). As a Reformed and Presbyterian Christian preacher, I found this volume indispensable to my sermon series through Ruth, “The Search for a Redeemer” (2021). The attention to exegetical considerations is much appreciated, though I would have liked to have the Hebrew characters (rather than transliterated Roman characters) in the text. I especially appreciated the presentation of the Ruth narrative as a foil to the latter chapters of Judges - as an answer to the problem posed by the closing verse of Judges (Israel’s need for a king) - and the clear (but helpfully thorough) treatment of the difficult legal material in 4:1-12. The summary of recent scholarship on the “Ruth corpus” is very helpful and well executed as well. Ziegler has produced an invaluable resource for both Jewish and Christian exegetes.

[Seth Speiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yael gives a masterful in-depth yet accessible analysis of the Book of Ruth. She integrates and interconnects other biblical stories and by doing so adds greater dimension and depth to the seemingly 'simple' story of Ruth. I truly enjoyed her writing style, her thorough research, clear presentation, and fantastic ideas and insights. I wish I could find other writers like her, who could elucidate the rest of the biblical canon. I highly recommend this book.

[Chava · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I wasn't intimidated by the size of the book (515 pages), then the introduction with the description of the methodology and the author's assertion that the book "represents an attempt to fuse together traditional interpretations with scholarly ones," and that she "systematically applied literary poetic tools along with an insistence that the reading must yield a deeper appreciation of the religious-theological meaning of the narrative" assured me of a challenging read. But the material was presented in an organized, meticulously researched, and clear manner, and it brought out so many interesting points and parallels that a simple reading of the Book of Ruth would not reveal.

It changed the way I looked at the Book of Ruth and gave me questions to ponder, like why isn't it the Book of Naomi when the action centers around her issues.

Very highly recommended.

[Avi Eisenman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, insightful, and detailed analysis of the book of Ruth. This book is very long, so I'd recommend not trying to read it all at once. That said, it is very well written and engaging and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Asher Zeiger]

Absolutely outstanding piece of biblical scholarship! CANnot recommend highly enough for anyone interested in textual analysis of the Tanach.

[Elisheva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous book, academically honest, well written and easy to read.

[Shari (Shira) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the perfect book for Shavuot! Ziegler provides so many fascinating insights and revelations about the Roth story.

[The Jewish Book Council]

Review by Avraham Bronstein for the Jewish Book Council.