Ruth Rabbah

Ruth Rabbah (Hebrew: רות רבה) is an haggadic and homiletic interpretation of the Book of Ruth, which, like that of the four other scrolls ("megillot"), is included in the Midrash Rabbot. This midrash, divided into eight chapters or sections ("parashiyyot"), covers the whole text of the Biblical book, interpreting it verse by verse, now in its literal, now in an allegorical, sense. The first chapter terminates with Ruth i. 2; the second, with i. 17; the third, with i. 21; the fourth, with ii. 9; the fifth, with iii. 7; the sixth, with iii. 13; the seventh, with iv. 15; and the eighth, comprising only two verses, with iv. 19, verses 16 and 17 of ch. iv. being omitted. Like Ekah Rabbati, the commentary proper on the Book of Ruth is preceded by a long introduction ("petiḥta"), which consists of several proems having no connection with one another.