I’ve often wondered how they would respond to the various challenges we face today as I pondered their actions and personalities in their own times.

Ruth, the Moabitess

Ruth is, of course, not a Hebrew woman, but for me she represents the integrity of Israelite women both today and in biblical times. At school, we would prepare ceremonies for every Jewish holiday, and at Shavuot those preparations would traditionally include the Book of Ruth. I remember the day our teacher announced that our class had been chosen to prepare the Shavuot ceremony. I sat quietly in class while our teacher chose children for the various roles, and I prayed that I would be Ruth. My prayer was answered when the teacher chose me to play Ruth! Then she told me a number of things that to this day fill me with pride. She said that my appearance reminded her of Ruth. I had long, wavy brown hair, large almond-brown eyes, and a look of innocence. From that moment on, I identified with Ruth, in soul and spirit. She became...

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