Track 1 Study Guide

If you choose track one, plan on reading Ruth one chapter at a time and answering the questions on your own or in a group. If you choose track two, try and coordinate your readings of chapters with the Torah portion highlighted in this study guide.

Chapter 1:

1. Identify the following characters:
• Elimelech
• Naomi
• Mahlon and Chilion
• Ruth
• Orpah
2. Why did Elimelech and his family go to the country of Moab? Why did members of the family return to Bethlehem?
3. What does Naomi say to her daughters-in-law as she began to go back to Judah? Why does she say this?
4. How do Ruth and Orpah respond to Naomi's command in number 3?
5. How do you think Naomi's sees her relationship with God during this time?
6. What does Ruth mean when she speaks of Naomi's people being "my people"?
7. Naomi tells the people to call her "Marah," which means bitterness, however we never hear that name again. Why do you think this is so?

Chapter 2:

1. How does Naomi know of Boaz?
2. Why does Ruth go to "see" Boaz? How does Boaz respond to her arrival?
3. What specific things does Boaz do when Ruth gleans at his field? Why do you think Boaz showed such kindness towards Ruth at the beginning?
4. How does Naomi react to the experience that Ruth had with Boaz?

Chapter 3:

1. What does Naomi tell Ruth that she "must" do? Who does Naomi recommend?
2. What is the plan that Naomi has for Ruth's encounter with Boaz?
3. How does Boaz react to the sight of Ruth? Why do you think this occurs?

Chapter 4:

1. What is the "situation" Boaz speaks to the elders about?
2. How does Boaz plan to deal with issue spoken of in question 1?
3. From verses 7-10, we are given some background into ancient practices in Israel. What practices do we hear of? How does the story relate to them?
4. What do the people and the elders say to Boaz upon his annoucement?
5. What biblical figure do we know descends from Ruth from this chapter? Why does the story end with this fact?