The Book of Ruth

The book of Ruth is one of the five megillot (scrolls) found in the section of the Hebrew Bible called Writings and is traditionally read on the holiday of Shavuot. It tells the story of Ruth, a widow of Moabite origin, who insists on staying with her widowed, Israelite mother-in-law, declaring “Wherever you go, I will go... your people shall be my people, and your God my God” (1:16). Ruth’s loyalty leads her to the field of her kinsman, Boaz, whom she ultimately marries. Together they have a child, who later becomes the grandfather of King David.