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Why does Naomi tell Boaz "has not abandoned his kindness from the living and the dead" when referring to his treatment of Ruth? The shiur argues this refers to chesed (חסד) of yibum - Boaz can perpetuate the deceased husbands' memory through levirate-like marriage. Ruth acts as Naomi's surrogate, serving both her own interests and Naomi's goal of continuing Elimelech's lineage.
The shiur analyzes a complex passage in Megillat Ruth, beginning with the question of why the text emphasizes that Ruth was satisfied with less food than expected and was allowed to take the remainder home. Rabbi Zweig explains that according to the laws of a worker (po'el), one can eat until satisfied, and if miraculously satisfied with less, the remainder can be taken home. However, one cannot deliberately eat less than needed for satisfaction just to take food home - that would be like taking extra sugar packets from a restaurant when only using one. The shiur then examines Ruth 2:20, where Naomi declares that Boaz "has not abandoned his kindness from the living and the dead." The phrase "from the dead" (me'hasim) is puzzling since Machlon and Chilion are deceased. Rather than the Midrashic interpretation about burial shrouds, Rabbi Zweig suggests this refers to the chesed (חסד) of yibum - by establishing a relationship with Ruth, Boaz can perpetuate the memory of the deceased husbands through levirate-like marriage.
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Ruth 2:20
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Why does Ruth connect marriage to Boaz with field redemption when these are typically separate matters? The shiur reveals that marrying Ruth ensures the redeemed field preserves Machlon's legacy rather than transferring to the redeemer's ownership. This theme of hakamas hashem—establishing others' names—emerges as the key to malchus, explaining why Dovid's lineage flows through this union.
