Humbled Widows Who Chose Community Over Individualism & Isolation: The Accounts of Naomi and Ruth

Tragedy can happen quickly and death is always unexpected, and the death of a husband is often unbearable: but how we judge matters afterwards is what truly matters. The Quadosh Scriptures (Holy Scriptures) gives us the most meaningful life experiences of the people that existed during those times, who encountered situations that most could not begin to manage—but with wisdom and over-standing we are guided to tailor our lives to prevent unwanted outcomes, or navigate through them.

Naomi and Ruth are notable and admirable women in the accounts of the southern kingdom of Yisrael; one a Native-born Yisraelite and the other a Sojourning Moabite; who both faced the tragic deaths of their husbands and choices thereafter. What is unique about these women, is that they understood the importance of community and especially living amongst the peoples who followed the laws, statues, and judgements of the Almighty YEHOWAH.

Imagine if they remained in the Lands of Moab, during those times, life without a husband could lead to a life of turmoil, loss of respect, and even death; so they chose the path back to Yisrael, back home, to surround themselves with the community and familiar territory. Was it a mistake or were they Spiritually hardwired to do what is right and expected of them in the sight of YAH!?

In today’s times, and with the hardships of the world, women have become the way makers for themselves and the family at times, “doing it all on their own”, and making decisions without the leadership and guidance of a man; this could be viewed as the fulfilment of the prophecy Yirmiyahu (Jer.) 31:22. Some had to be strong, but others chose the life of hardship, maybe because of resentment, maybe for independence. In Yisrael, and in most all Eastern cultures, a woman was rarely left alone to make her own decisions and fend for themselves. In fact, she could not be acknowledged unless she had a man to speak for her. This is why BeMidbar (Num.) 30 is very important. What many Western cultures push as ‘Women’s Rights”, "Women's' Liberation", were non-existent prior to and during the times of Abraham and Sarah, and it is still present in many Eastern cultures today. With careful consideration, some societies allow women to control their own paths, and though this could be a defining moment, most are left with uncertainty and delusion. Yisraelite women are not exempt from this, as we are an Eastern Cultured people. Though we’ve lost our way through years of slavery, being displaced, trials and tribulations, it does not mean that our culture was made to change, we know that YEHOWAH changes not so that we are not destroyed, (Malakhai 3:6) but how do we reintegrate into our customs and cultures, when it is bombarded by heathenistic ways. The path is simple, but many avoid it, and it leads to clandestine futures.

Returning to our Yisraelite culture is simple, as we already have all of the rules and regulations to follow. In Teheleim 133, it is apparent that YEHOWAH desires for us to be together, in Oneness. YEHOWAH and Melekh Daweid’s (King David) minds were one in the same, so we must conclude that the call for unity is also a call from YAH. Naomi and Ruth were made widows within the same timeframe, they fled the land of Yisrael to follow their husbands to the Lands of Moab as obedient wives, and yet a tragic fate met them all. Maybe their husbands were stricken, because they chose to go to other lands as opposed to staying behind in their communities during a time of famine; who knows? Yet, we do know that no one can escape judgement, but what comes after is truly beautiful. Remembering, that woman could not make their own decisions during those times, Naomi and Ruth had no choice but to follow their husband’s desires, but once their husbands were no more, they knew that there is only one place to go—home!

Retrospectively, Naomi was much older than her Daughters-in-Law, and in the respects to her age at the time she didn’t refuse the idea of remarrying, yet in respect for her Daughters-in-Law rather than to await for the Duties of A Husbands Brother, she encouraged her Daughters-in-Law to return to their own people and remarry rather than to stay alone. Though they came from different customs and paths; Ruth was inclined to respect the ways of the Yisraelites’ and take her chances with following her Mother-in-Law back to Yisrael after the demise of their husbands. Naomi did not desire to perish in the Lands of Moab or try to make it on her own. She understood that this was the time to return to her Native Born lands, or today, where there are Yisraelite communities, and to be around her people under the Divine structure of YAH Almighty.

Though we are not in our land as of yet, it is very wise to be around people that in the very least acknowledge YAH and are following HIS laws to the best of understanding. Ruth was no different, though her future was uncertain, she chose a life of living in a law-governed society as opposed to the lawless lands that she was accustomed to, around foreigners, unaccountable. Ruth chose differently from her sister, and this choice created a great connection between Naomi and herself. In these days and times, some women would have been like Ruth’s sister and taken their own chances, but wisdom follows where the spirit aligns in righteousness. Community is integral in our way of life, and YEHOWAH assured to include laws that would protect the widows, strangers, and orphans.

YEHOWAH is just, and declared this statute for the governance of HIS people, “When thou gatherest the grapes of thy vineyard, thou shalt not glean it afterward: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow” Devaureim 24:21. How wonderful is it that The Almighty gave us righteous instruction on how to look-out and care for the causes of the widows, strangers, and orphans! Naomi was a widow, and Ruth a stranger and a widow, and these people were given protection even from The Almighty. However, what happens to the widows, strangers, and orphans that reject communal living or desire to live amongst foreigners? Most suffer immensely without anyone to plead their causes. “Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz. And Ruth the Moabitish said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace.” Ruth 2:1-2. Naomi and Ruth received blessings from simply respecting the laws and trusting in them, and that could be why Ruth was granted favor during this experience.

Consequently, the rejection of communal living is not a part of our way of life, in fact it is frowned upon. Most Eastern cultures look at living far from thy kindred as being an “outcast”. Western society has normalized self-isolation and personal vindication, but this was never the design for Yisrael. Today, we have many Yisraelites, both men and women, that ostracize themselves from others, making statements and claiming that, “YEHOWAH desires for them to be alone”, but with wisdom and knowledge of the scriptures, we find that this ideology is unfounded. In fact, “For YEHOWAH thy POWER walketh in the midst of thy makaneh (camp), to deliver thee; therefore shall thy makaneh be Quadosh: that HE see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee.” Devaureim 23:14. Here we witness that YEHOWAH dwells with us in camps and communities. While we find that some makanote (camps) are unjust, it doesn’t signify that we make the choice to abhor communal living. We just have to utilize due diligence, righteousness, and trust that YEHOWAH does not desire for one to be alone so that we may find a righteous makaneh, community, and a place to be amongst like-minded peoples.

Furthermore, we even have High Quadosh Days [wahYekra (Lev.) 23:39-43] dedicated to makaneh and communal living, so why do most Yisraelites desire to separate themselves? Is it righteousness? Lo! It could be seen as selfishness, evil, in the sight of YAH. We need one another to sharpen one another, together we stand, and divided we fall. Do we truly adhere to the words of YEHOWAH or are we self-righteously proclaiming ways that are not approved of and saying we are moved by The Creator? We must align our thoughts and choices by the laws, statutes, and judgments of YEHOWAH, (not emotions), especially those that are widowed, orphaned, and strangers, so that we can be blessed by the hands of YAH through our own people. Naomi and Ruth desired to keep the laws and they made sure that they adhered to them, they understood that remaining in the Lands of Moab was a choice and returning to Yisrael was also a choice. In righteousness, they chose the paths that would lead to a better future. Thankfully to this decision by Ruth, our Melekh King Daweid, came through her. Proving that righteousness, patience, and adherence to the laws, statutes, and judgements of YEHOWAH, will always lead to victory and high esteem.

Concluding, Naomi and Ruth didn’t bemoan their situations, they didn’t chose emotions over spiritual logics. They knew the law and stuck with it, trusting in YAH. If they stayed in the Lands of Moab, they could have easily perished because there was no one to plead their causes or protect them. In righteousness, YEHOWAH helped them along the way and aligned them to a destiny of comfort in their times of suffering. These women didn’t complain or have a need to cry out because they knew that they had the law on their sides and could hold their own peoples accountable by the very same law. They didn’t have to grow weary or hungry because there was food left for them in the fields as commanded by YAH from their Yisraelite brothers and sisters. We thank YAH for wisdom, knowledge, and over-standing and most importantly, we acknowledge the women who have the desires to live by The Quadosh Scriptures. By the standards of our Forefathers and Mothers, we witness that the decision of personal seclusion and separatism are not in righteousness nor is it the desire of YEHOWAH. In Modernity, we must always refer to our ancestors who encountered similar situations as our own and apply knowledge and wisdom to make for better choices, a better future.

Shalom le kol!

~Tai'Leone Yisrael~