HEBREW

LITERATURE
ISRAEL
 GEOGRAPHY
Lies at the eastern end of the
Mediterranean Sea. It is
bordered by Egypt on the west,
Syria and Jordan on the east,
and Lebanon on the north.
Its maritime plain is extremely
fertile.
• The Jordan, the only important river, flows
from the north through Lake Hule (Waters of
Merom) and Lake Kinneret (also called Sea of
Galilee or Sea of Tiberias), finally entering the
Dead Sea 1,349ft (411m) below sea level-the
worlds lowest land elevation.
• The Southern Negev region,
which comprises almost half the
total area, is largely a desert.
ETYMOLOGY
• According to the Hebrew
Bible the name “Israel” was
given to the patriarch Jacob
(“persevere with God”) after
he successfully wrestled with
an angel of God.
INFORMATION
• Land area: 7, 849 sq mi
(20, 329 sq km; total area:
8, 019 sq mi (20, 770 sq
km)
• Capital: Jerusalem
• Government: Parliamentary
Democracy
HEBREW LITERATURE
Tanakh- most important work (Jewish
Bible)
Mishna- complied around 200 CE, is the
primary rabbinic codification of laws as
derived from the Torah.
Talmud- collection of treatises which are
chiefly dedicated to the laws and legends
of the Jews; regarded as an extensive
commentary on the Bible.
Biblical Period
• Ancient Hebrew
historiography
• Greater part of the Bible is
history
• Written in rhythmic prose
• Prophecy is written on the
parallelistic form of poetry.
Post-Biblical Period
• Extension of the Biblical Period
• SEPTUAGINT, Greek translation of the
Bible, is the cornerstone of the literature
of the Jews.
• Most popular literature is the HALAKAH,
from the Hebrew Halak, meaning to go or
a rule to go by.
• Another is the HAGGADAH, from higgid,
to tell, talks about folklore, ethics, poetry
and science.
 Middle Ages
• Literal interpretation of the
Koran
• Adapted from Western cultures
Bible
• Collection of 66 books but for the
Catholics, 72 books
• Dates ranging from 750 BC to AD 100
• Most widely read book in the world
ASSIGNMENT
Kindly read The Story of
Ruth and make yourself
familiar with every characters
and their characterization.
THE STORY OF RUTH
 There was a great famine in Israel during
the time when judges ruled. Many people
relocated to foreign lands to find food for their
families. A man from Bethlehem named
Elimelek took his wife Naomi and his two sons
Mahlon and Kilion went to Moab to find food
and ended up staying there to live. Elimelek
died and Naomi continued to live with her two
sons who married Moabite women named
Orpah and Ruth. Both sons also passed away
leaving Naomi with her two foreign daughter-
in-laws.
Naomi heard that the Lord helped the
people of Israel and food had been
provided back home. She decided to go
back to Bethlehem in Judah and told
Orpah and Ruth to stay in Moab and find
new husbands. While Orpah returned to
her mothers home, Ruth clung to Naomi
and told her that she will stay with her and
that Naomi's God and people will be her
God and people.
Upon returning the Bethlehem,
Ruth decided to go into the fields
during the barley harvest to pick
up leftover grains. Ruth worked
behind the harvesters in a field
that belonged to a man named
Boaz who was a relative of her
father-in-law Elimelek.
When Boaz heard that Naomi had
returned with Ruth and that Ruth was
gleaning the leftover grain, he went to
Ruth and told her she could work safely in
his fields and get a drink from his water
jars when she was thirsty. Ruth questioned
his kindness and Boaz responded that he
had heard of Ruth's kindness toward
Naomi and that the Lord God of Israel
would bless her and reward her.
Ruth worked very hard in the fields to
provide enough barley to sell and to keep
some for her and Naomi. After the harvest,
Naomi encouraged Ruth to meet Boaz on
the threshing floor and to lie down at his
feet when he was done working. When
Boaz woke and noticed Ruth he blessed
her for her kindness and noble character.
Boaz then gave Ruth six measures of
barley for her to take home to Naomi.
Boaz went before his friends and elders to
purchase the land that had belonged to
Elimelek and was now Naomi's. He did
this so that he could also acquire Naomi
and Ruth. Boaz was now able to marry
Ruth. Boaz and Ruth had a son named
Obed and a grandson named Jesse who
would be the father of David and from
whose genealogy would come the Savior
Jesus Christ. 
Activity 1

As you’ve read The Story

of Ruth, cite the story
elements of the short
story using this graphic
organizer.
Who are the important Who is your favorite
characters in the story? character? Why?

the story?
What is the setting What is the plot of
of the story?

Title
What is the problem What is the theme of
in the story? the story?

What is the solution to What is another way that the

problem could have been
the problem?
solved?
Activity 2
Mail their Heart
Write a letter to your future-in-
laws. Write down what they may
expect from you as a partner of
their child and your expectation
to them.
 QUIZ
1. Why did Elimelech and his family go to Moab?
2. Who was the first to die in Moab?
3. Why did Naomi encourage her daughters-in-laws to
stay in Moab?
4. At what season did Ruth and Naomi return to
Bethlehem?
5. What did Ruth do in the field of Boaz?
6. What did Boaz ask Ruth to do?
7. What had Boaz heard about Ruth?
8. To whom was Boaz a kinsman?
9. Who was Ruth great-grandson?
10. Who went back to her people?
Prepared by:
Rona B. Ponayo
BSED3- English