Naomi’s Journey: From Heartbreak to Holiness

From Privilege to Poverty: Naomi’s Spiritual Fall

Naomi was the wife of Elimelech, a wealthy and prominent leader in Beit Lechem. During a severe famine, Elimelech, Naomi, and their sons, Machlon and Kilyon, left the Land of Israel and settled in Moav. Over the following decade, Naomi lost everything—her husband, her two sons, and all her wealth.

The sages explain that Elimelech’s downfall was spiritual as much as material. Rashi notes that although he was a great man and supporter of his generation, he left Beit Lechem because of his stinginess—he didn’t want to open his home to the poor (Rashi on Ruth 1:1). The Midrash elaborates: Elimelech fled to avoid the needy who came knocking during the famine (Ruth Rabbah 1:4).

As a judge and leader, Elimelech failed to inspire teshuvah (repentance) or pray for national forgiveness during a time of crisis. His passive response to communal suffering led to Divine punishment (Midrash Tanchuma, Shemini 9; Bava Batra 91b). Machlon and Kilyon followed their father’s lead, marrying Moabite women without proper conversion and giving up on returning to Beit Lechem (Tanchuma, Behar 3). Naomi was left alone, widowed, childless, and destitute.

From Naomi to Mara: A Name Reflects Her Pain

When Naomi returned to Beit Lechem, the local women barely recognized her. The Midrash describes their shock: once clothed in soft wool and fine shoes, Naomi now wore rags and walked barefoot, her complexion green from hunger. “Is this Naomi?” they asked (Ruth Rabbah 3:6).

Naomi responded, “Do not call me Naomi (the name 'Naomi' means pleasant in Hebrew); call me Mara (bitter), for Hashem has dealt bitterly with me.” She acknowledged that her former name no longer reflected her reality. Her life had become a symbol of suffering.

A Legacy of Righteousness: Naomi’s Lasting Impact

Though her present was bleak, Naomi’s past was marked by kindness and nobility. According to the Midrash, the verse “She extends her hand to the poor” from Eishet Chayil refers to Naomi, who fed the hungry and lent her jewelry to the young women of Beit Lechem (Ruth Rabbah 3:6). She is counted among 23 righteous and spiritually great women in Jewish tradition (Midrash Tadsheh; Ruth Rabbah 2:5). Her deeds were truly in harmony with her name, Naomi, pleasantness.

Naomi’s greatest impact came through Ruth. Though she urged Ruth to remain in Moav, Naomi carefully explained the expectations of a Jewish life: honoring Shabbat boundaries, avoiding seclusion with men, accepting the 613 mitzvot (Divine commandments), renouncing idolatry, and understanding the role of the Beit Din (rabbinical court). Ruth accepted every word with unwavering devotion.

Seeing Ruth’s sincerity, Naomi began teaching her the halachot (Jewish laws) for converts. She taught her to avoid lewd establishments like circuses and theaters and embrace both mitzvot and Jewish values (Ruth Rabbah 2:22).

Naomi is also linked to another verse in Eishet Chayil: “She stretches out her hand to the needy.” By guiding Ruth’s conversion, Naomi brought her under the wings of the Shechinah (Divine Presence). She instructed Ruth to “bathe and anoint herself,” symbolizing spiritual purification from idol worship and a new path in mitzvot and righteousness (Ruth Rabbah 5:12).

Naomi’s life reminds us that even in moments of despair, spiritual greatness and eternal legacy can emerge. Her faith, guidance, and resilience continue to inspire generations of Jews.