A Project Genesis website

JewishAnswers.org

Ask the Rabbi: answers from Project Genesis rabbis

,

Ruth and Boaz

Question

Why did Naomi tell Ruth to lie down at Boaz’s feet?

Answer

Naomi knew that Boaz was in line to marry Ruth; some relative was supposed to do this because her husband had died childless. Advising Ruth to lie down at Boaz’s feet was a dramatic way to call his attention to the situation and get him to marry her, after the one closer relative declined to do it.