Shavuot, Yitro and Ruth - Those Who Walk Away and Those Who Stay

The story of Shavuot intersects with the story of two non-Jewish figures: Yitro, Moshe's father-in-law, and Ruth, whose story is read on Shavuot.

The most compelling moment in the story of Ruth is also the beginning of her story when despite her mother-in-law's pleas, she refuses to go.

There is a contrasting moment in the parsha or section in which the giving of the Ten Commandments is described which is known as Parshas Yitro. Parshas Yitro begins with Yitro visiting Moshe accompanied by Moshe's wife and sons. And yet in the more recent parsha readings in the Shabbosim around Shavuot which described the dedication of the Leviim, there is no mention of Moshe's sons. A genealogy states merely that the descendants of Moshe and Aaron are Aaron's sons. 

In Parshas Behalaoscha, there is a brief reference to Moshe marrying a 'Cushite' woman who does not appear to jibe with the previous description of Moshe's wife and there is also an exchange between Moshe and his father-in-law in which Moshe pleads with him to remain with the Jewish people. While his father-in-law seeks to return to his people. While the outcome is not described, in Parshas Yitro, we are told briefly before the giving of the Torah 'vayesalach lo", Moshe sends him or allows him to go. 

Similarly Moshe's wife, who initially appeared to be accompanying him to Egypt until a mysterious incident occurs, is described in that parsha as "aharei shiluchecho" or after she was sent away.

While there are ambiguities in what exactly happens with Yisro (some commentaries claim that Yisro accompanied the Jews and there are different versions of the narrative and perhaps of even who it refers to) and Moshe's sons (some claim that they remain with him and he seeks to have them succeed him) there is no further mention of his sons in the Torah. And while some of Yisro's descendants live in Israel, they do not appear to be part of the Jewish people.

In contrast, Ruth not only joins the Jewish people, but becomes the ancestress of King David and of the entire royal dynasty and all that comes with it. 

Ruth, unlike Yitro and Moshe's wife, refused to be sent away. Told to go, she responded with the passionate, "Do not entreat me to leave you, to turn from following you, for wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people and your God my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried."

Traditionally, aspiring converts were rejected, not out of cruelty, but as a test of moral commitment. Those who were truly 'in it' for more than social acceptance would not 'take no for an answer'. 

Yitro was a man of great wisdom. His advice to Moshe helps form the basis for a system of government. But there is a parable in Pirkei Avot/Sayings of the Fathers about someone whose wisdom is greater than his deeds. That person is compared to a tree whose branches outnumber its roots. It appears glorious but when the wind blows, it topples over. In contrast, someone whose deeds outnumber his wisdom is like a tree with few branches but deep roots.

Ruth offered deeds, Yisro offered wisdom. And while the Torah is given in Parshas Yisro, right before it, we are curtly told that Yisro left. Like so many others who were offered the Torah, he couldn't make the commitment. Ruth showed that it takes more than wisdom , it takes action and commitment.