Ruth Rabbah

Ruth Rabbah (Hebrew: רות רבה) is an haggadic and homiletic interpretation of the Book of Ruth, which, like that of the four other scrolls ("megillot"), is included in the Midrash Rabbot. This midrash, divided into eight chapters or sections ("parashiyyot"), covers the whole text of the Biblical book, interpreting it verse by verse, now in its literal, now in an allegorical, sense. The first chapter terminates with Ruth i. 2; the second, with i. 17; the third, with i. 21; the fourth, with ii. 9; the fifth, with iii. 7; the sixth, with iii. 13; the seventh, with iv. 15; and the eighth, comprising only two verses, with iv. 19, verses 16 and 17 of ch. iv. being omitted. Like Ekah Rabbati, the commentary proper on the Book of Ruth is preceded by a long introduction (petiḥta), which consists of several proems having no connection with one another.

Introduction and proems

The commentary itself, except in ch. i. and vii., where it follows directly upon the Biblical text, is generally introduced by one or more proems. It is composed in the spirit of the Palestinian haggadists, its main sources being the Jerusalem Talmud, Bereshit Rabbah, Wayiḳra Rabbah, and Ekah Rabbati. It would seem, moreover, that its author was opposed to the Babylonian Talmud; for in his interpretation of iv. 7—a passage which is omitted in the printed editions—he disparages that work. It is true that parallel passages are found in Shir ha-Shirim Rabbah, which this midrash closely resembles as regards arrangement and mode of interpretation, and in Ḳohelet Rabbah. But as to the former, nothing proves that it is anterior to Ruth Rabbah, while the latter is recognized by modern scholars to be posterior to this midrash.