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It's Worth it to be a Jew for Just One Second!

By: SFW Students & Alumna
Devorah Teitelbaum (SFW '09)

       There is a famous question we can ask about Shavuot. Why is it that the holiday of Shavuot is the opportune time to read Megillat Rut? The popular answer is that just as the Jews were mekabel the Torah, were given tests, and stuck with Judaism regardless, so did Rut, and therefore we read about her today.

       However, is this really a good enough reason to read an entire book about her? There are plenty of stories of converts to Judaism who had it rough, including Yitro. What makes Rut so special?

       The answer lies in the fact that she was able to outshine and surpass the acceptance of the Torah displayed by the Jews at Har Sinai.

       There is a famous Gemara in Shabbos 88b. The Gemara says that, at Har Sinai, Hashem held the mountain over our heads and said to us, "If you accept the Torah, great. If not, I bury you right here."

       The Ba'alei Tosafot ask a question that should have been obvious. In the order of events that the Gemara relates, this suspended mountain incident comes only after we already said "Na'aseh V'nishma"- after we have already committed ourselves to G-d! Even so, Hashem finds it necessary to ensure once more that we will in fact keep the Torah. Why? Isn't one guarantee enough?

       Tosafot explain that among all the mind-blowing events of Har Sinai, one of them was by far the most intimidating- The Fire of Gehenom. Hashem wanted to tell the Jews, "Know exactly what you are signing up for. Here are the consequences if you don't follow through with my commandments precisely."

       When the Jews saw this after they already pledged themselves to Hashem, Hashem feared that this Fire would cause them to back out from their pledge, and so He needed a security, and that is what made the mountain threat necessary.

      Rut's mother-in-law, Naomi, tried again and again to convince Rut not to accept Judaism, even going as far as to explain to her all the gruesome deaths that are dealt out by a Jewish court. Rut replied, "No! If something bad happens to me, so be it." She did not say, "I'll do my best." She did not say, "I'll avoid it." She stuck with it.

       The Shem Mi'Shmuel brings an answer to our original question, and we can learn something incredible and tremendous from it. Rut had the same challenge the Jews at Har Sinai faced. They both had revealed to them the scary consequences of what happens if they did not follow through with their promises. And while the Jews were about to back out, and needed a little more convincing, Rut said, "Good! It does not matter what happens to me! It's worth it to be a Jew for just one second!"

       It's worth it to be a Jew for just one second!

       Why is it that we can't appreciate our Judaism and all its beauty on the same level that Rut saw so openly and obviously? Why is it that we see it as a task, a responsibility and not as a labor of love? Why are we not excited to be on the same team as the Creator of the whole universe?!

       This is the reason that we read about Rut on Shavuot! Rut’s accepting of Hashem and the Torah totally trumped us! She surpassed our faith and determination, and so when we need an example of what it means to love Judaism, and to accept Hashem into our lives, we look at her.

       Let's take this life-altering message of Rut and Shavuot so that we can rise above mediocrity to bring ourselves closer to our Creator and thereby closer to the geulah.