שְׁ לַח־לְ ךָ֣ אֲ נָ שִׁ֗ ים ֙ וְ יָתֻ ֙רו אֶ ת ־ אֶ ֣ רֶ ץ כְּ נַ֔ עַ ן )שלח יג, ב(
“Send men to scout the Land of Canaan” (Numbers 13:2)
First Reading: Ruth and the Ministry of Tourism
Extending the Festivals
On each of the festivals we read one of the books of the Tanach known as a Megillah (literally, a scroll): Ruth on Shavu’ot, Ecclesiastes on Sukkot, and Song of Songs on Pesach. The melody with which we read these three books in public is identical.
In the Mussaf of the festivals we say, “Carry over for us the blessing of Your festivals for good life and peace, for joy and merriment” (ִּ יאֵ נוּ וְהַ ש ה' אֱלקֵ ינו ּ אֶ ת בִּרְ כַּת עֲ דֶ יך מו .ִים לְחַי בִים טו ם .ָֹ לו ׁ וּלְש .ִ מְ חָ ה לְ ש ן וּלְש וּלְש), implying that the joy of each festival continues until the next one arrives so Shavu’ot extends to Sukkot. Accordingly, the reading of the book of Ruth and its relevance extends throughout the summer (likewise, Ecclesiastes extends until we read the Song of Songs, and Song of Songs until we read Ruth).
The Meaning of Ruth’s Name
There are several reasons why her name is Ruth. One is that she merited progeny, namely King David, who satisfied God, as in the phrase, “my cup overflows”
