In the Desert

The Book of Ruth is a short biblical book that tells the story of a Moabite woman named Ruth who, after her husband dies, follows her Israelite mother-in-law, Naomi. Ruth gleans in the fields of Boaz, a wealthy landowner who is a relative of Naomi's. Ruth and Boaz eventually marry and have a son, Obed, who is the grandfather of King David.

The Book of Ruth is read on Shavuot, the Jewish holiday that commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.

* The Book of Ruth is a story of redemption and hope. Ruth. who is a non-Jew, not only is welcomed by Jews but eventually becomes the ancestor of King David.

* The Book of Ruth is also a story of kindness and generosity. Ruth shows great kindness to Naomi, even though Naomi is not her biological mother. Boaz also shows great kindness to Ruth, by marrying her and providing for her and her son.

* The Book of Ruth is also a story of harvest. The story takes place during the barley harvest, and Ruth's act of gleaning is a reminder of the importance of agriculture and the land. Shavuot, is also a holiday that celebrates the first fruits of the harvest.

Unlike social media- Ruth was not out to get followers or fame. She simply loved genuinely and was loved in return. In her famous words... But Ruth said, "Don't force me to leave you; don't make me go home. Where you go, I go; and where you live, I'Il live. Your people are my people, your God is my god; where you die, I'Il die, and that's where l'll be buried, so help me GOD-not even death itself is going to come between us!"

Happy Shavuot 🌾💛

Celebrating the harvest, abundance, and our beautiful community. Thankful for all the little traditions that bring us back to each other every year. Chag sameach! 🥰

So Chag Shavuot Sameach to all Jewish Converts and those converting, our Gerim Tzedek. Thank you for loving Judaism and Jews so much that you felt compelled to be one of us, and importantly thank you for an excuse to make and eat cheesecake every year.

וַתֹּ֗אמֶר הִנֵּה֙ שָׁ֣בָה יְבִמְתֵּ֔ךְ אֶל־עַמָּ֖הּ וְאֶל־אֱלֹהֶ֑יהָ שׁ֖וּבִי אַחֲרֵ֥י יְבִמְתֵּֽךְ׃

So she said, “See, your sister-in-law has returned to her people and her gods. Go follow your sister-in-law.”

וַתֹּ֤אמֶר רוּת֙ אַל־תִּפְגְּעִי־בִ֔י לְעׇזְבֵ֖ךְ לָשׁ֣וּב מֵאַחֲרָ֑יִךְ כִּ֠י אֶל־אֲשֶׁ֨ר תֵּלְכִ֜י אֵלֵ֗ךְ וּבַאֲשֶׁ֤ר תָּלִ֙ינִי֙ אָלִ֔ין עַמֵּ֣ךְ עַמִּ֔י וֵאלֹהַ֖יִךְ אֱלֹהָֽי׃

Like the command says "You Must Not Wet Your Hands With This Specific Substance", and there's one faction that has decided that since it's practically impossible to not ever touch the thing, your hands won't be touching it if you're wearing gloves. Another sect has decided that it doesn't count if you only handle the substance when it's frozen solid, so your hands don't get wet from touching it. A third one has figured out how to obtain or produce some substance that is essentially identical in every way, but has a slightly different chemical structure, so it's not the same substance.

Shavua Tov! May the coming week bring us peace & good health.

Shabbat Shalom

Have a wonderful weekend.  Stay safe.

TORAH READING

Shabbat Shalom 🤍

So excited to be back making more art!!

Chagim in your mirror are closer than they appear.

DON'T PANIC.

The plan was scuppered by 1942 and lost all chance of getting off the ground thanks to a little something called Pearl Harbor. (Which is fortunate for the Jews in question, because I don't know what would happen when the Japanese eventually discovered that no, Jews don't control the world after all)