Behind | Customs in Ruth

There are several legal/social customs that the book of Ruth assumes. Without the necessary background some of the actions of Ruth, Boaz and others may be confusing. Let’s look at some images that will help clarify the customs behind chapters 2 and 4.

Ruth 2 mentions all the effort Ruth makes to provide for herself and Naomi working in the fields. Grain harvesting was physically exhausting.

Biblical law dictated fields should not be thoroughly “gleaned” during harvesting. Any grain not harvested in a first pass was to be left for the community’s poor (Lev 19:10; Deut 24:21). As a result, Ruth was able to collect grain in Boaz’ field.

Another social custom in Ruth involved a meeting at the city gate, a sandal, and the rights to redeem Ruth and Naomi. An unnamed man refused to accept the responsibility of redemption, and Boaz took up that responsibility. It was ratified by the giving of a sandal.

City gates often included benches and a podium for the leaders of the community. This image shows the city gate of Dan. It’s likely that Boaz’ meeting at the city gate (ch. 4) took place in a setting like this.

Today the elders of Jewish communities gather to discuss the affairs of the community, typically in the synagogue. This group of elders is meeting in the synagogue where the patriarchs are buried in Hebron.