Worshippers start their pilgrimage through the streets of Jerusalem to the Kotel long before sunrise the first day of Shavuot. The heart seems to beat along with the clippity-clop of thousands of shoes beating against the stones of the narrow pathways of the Jewish Quarter, and one's neshama is whisked upward and onward with excitement, spiritually elevated, mixed with the atmosphere which is filled with the voices of yeshiva students studying within the Old City walls. The streets are dark, lit only by the mellow light gently flowing out from the open windows of study houses.
It's of the utmost necessity to be at the Wall when the sun's first morning rays burst over the Eastern horizon. That's the mystical moments when everyone waits in anticipation for the sounds! The sounds of many voices singing and rejoicing! Jubilant songs are heard rising up in the streets of Jerusalem! Songs of the bridegroom, a song of the bride! Suddenly the words of the prophets come alive and are active!
Hundreds of Yeshiva students appear on the steps descending to the Wall, arm n'arm, dancing and rejoicing after their night of studying led by rabbis holding the Torah scrolls! Thousands rise up to join them as they approach the Wall and all are released into the freedom of the spirit as Israel the bride is united as one with Hashem the groom under the chuppah, the shadow of the Wall.
Yet, it's all a practice run for the real thing that is to come!
FROM MEGILLAT RUTH
The ancient Hebrews were forbidden to intermarry with Moabites because the Moabites failed to have mercy on the Hebrews when they made their exodus from Mitzrayim. Therefore, the question arises as to how Ruth, the Moabitess, could have any inheritance in Israel. Why did Boaz pursue securing her family inheritance only for her to become part of the lineage of King David & the Messiah? Was Ruth really a convert? If so, why is she continued to be referred to as "Ruth, the Moabitess" which is a derogatory reference?
In my study on Shavuot, the Hebrew text seems to clarify who this remarkable woman was in the eyes of man and Hashem. See if you can find the ONE Hebrew letter that changes the meaning of the Moabitess:
Moab – מואב (mo ahv) – the nation
Moabite – מואבי (mo ah vi) – a male citizen of Moab
Moabite – מואבית (mo ah vit) – a female citizen of Moab
Ruth the Moabitess – רות המואביה (root ha mo ah vi yah) – Ruth the Moabitess of Adonai
This form of the word Moabitess, מואביה (moavi yah) in Hebrew, is only found in reference to Ruth in the Tenach.
In many cases, a yud-heh added to the end of a Biblical name means something or someone is a possession of Hashem.
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