Despite the connections of Ruth and Judith to the wisdom the of the Proverbs 31 woman and Esther’s implicit association, yet because Ruth and Esther do not follow Torah like Judith their actions are not righteous. Judith follows the dietary laws noted in the Torah. Judith “…gave her maid a skin of wine and a flask of oil, and filled a gag with roasted gain, dried fig cakes and fine bread; she wrapped up all her dishes and gave them to her to carry” (Judith, 10:5). Judith follows the Torah, therefore has God on her side when she leaves the city gates. Ruth is a Moabite woman, who should not be intermarrying with Jews after the exile. Also, God is not mentioned and does not explicitly act. Ruth openly clings to Naomi in chapter 1 verses 15-17,
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Fasting and following dietary restrictions are ways in which Jews set themselves apart, while being mindful of God’s presence within their lives. Yet, in times where the community has fallen away from Torah, God can work with those who are open and fearful of God. Dietary law is an outward way to show one is Jewish. Additionally, mourning rituals also outwardly show one’s Jewish identity. Although Ruth’s husband has died, the text does not mention mourning yet Ruth and Naomi do follow the levirate law. Following the levirate law during the time of the judges, or governmental chaos, shows through the action of Ruth, Naomi and Boaz that they were following God. When Judith follows God’s law. She mourns, for she is a widow, with “sackcloth around her waist” (Judith, 8:4-5). Esther’s parents have died and she is under the care and protection of Mordecai (Esther 2:7). The reader, though the actions of Mordecai, can infer that Mordecai does follow Torah and Esther does not for the sake of sacrifice. When someone, like Esther, chooses to open herself to God, God can work through her. For fearing God and not the circumstances, allows God to bring each woman into redemption. Ruth and Esther are woman of valor who ultimately fear the Lord over their circumstances allowing God to work through them to
Fasting and following dietary restrictions are ways in which Jews set themselves apart, while being mindful of God’s presence within their lives. Yet, in times where the community has fallen away from Torah, God can work with those who are open and fearful of God. Dietary law is an outward way to show one is Jewish. Additionally, mourning rituals also outwardly show one’s Jewish identity. Although Ruth’s husband has died, the text does not mention mourning yet Ruth and Naomi do follow the levirate law. Following the levirate law during the time of the judges, or governmental chaos, shows through the action of Ruth, Naomi and Boaz that they were following God. When Judith follows God’s law. She mourns, for she is a widow, with “sackcloth around her waist” (Judith, 8:4-5). Esther’s parents have died and she is under the care and protection of Mordecai (Esther 2:7). The reader, though the actions of Mordecai, can infer that Mordecai does follow Torah and Esther does not for the sake of sacrifice. When someone, like Esther, chooses to open herself to God, God can work through her. For fearing God and not the circumstances, allows God to bring each woman into redemption. Ruth and Esther are woman of valor who ultimately fear the Lord over their circumstances allowing God to work through them to