by Rabbi Richard Wolpoe
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are that of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the Union for Traditional Judaism, unless otherwise indicated.
There used to be a popular game show called “You Don’t Say” and it was introduced thus: “It’s not what you say that counts, it’s what you DON’T say!”
Question: What don’t we lain on Shavuot?
We do lain the Book of Ruth. Ruth embraced Judea first and then God. “Ameich ami Vaylokayich Elokay” – your people is my people and your God my God (Ruth 1:16) Ruth’s Judaism was a commitment to join the people of Israel, not just the God of Israel.
To be a “Mamlechet Cohanim v’Goy Qadosh” – a kingdom of priests and a holy people (Exodus 19:6) means to serve God via the society, the peoplehood, the nation.
And we do read the above passuq!
But what don’t we lain? We start “baHodesh Hashlishi” – in the third month” (Exodus 19:1) and we don’t read the story of Yitro. Why? Did not Yitro also embrace God above all other gods?
Indeed Yitro did. So why not lain it? Because Yitro became a prototypical “Ben No’ach” good guy. He embraced the one true God. But when it came to embracing Israel and its destiny, Yitro rejected that. What does the passuq before “baHodesh hashlishi” state? “Vayelech lo el artzo” – he went to his land. (Exodus 18:27).
Yitro was into the theology of our God, but when it came to Israel and Mattan Torah – vayelech lo el artzo.
But Ruth davqa vah – clung to her (Ruth 1:14). She refused to leave Naomi, her family, the tribe of Judah, and the Jewish People. Ruth’s embrace was total and not partial.
And we embrace the reading of this National Destiny of Torah, and reject reading the personal odyssey of the individual who – while embracing God – refuses to join the national destiny and goes it alone.
Chag Same’ach!
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Rabbi Richard Wolpoe is a longtime board member of the Union for Traditional Judaism and faculty of the Institute for Traditional Judaism. Rabbi Wolpoe graduated Yeshiva of Hartford and then attended both Yeshivat Ner Yisrael in Baltimore and in Toronto, before graduating Yeshiva College, with a major in History, in 1973.
He continued his studies, receiving semikha (rabbinic ordination) from Yeshiva University’s Yeshivat Rabbeinu Yitzchak Elchanan (RIETS). He previously served as Rabbi at Congregation Beth Jacob of Astoria and Congregation Ohav Sholaum of Washington Heights-Inwood.
Rabbi Wolpoe is also a mashgiach in Bergen County and a contributor to Nishma.org.
Born in Hartford, Conn., Rabbi Wolpoe now lives in Teaneck with his wife Ramona and two children, Chana Yocheved and Zvi.