Ruth Rabba Sources Open this page in a new tab

The text of Ruth Rabbah is preserved in medieval manuscripts and later printed editions rather than in manuscripts contemporary with its original compilation. The surviving text therefore represents the product of both its original redaction and subsequent manuscript transmission. Ruth Rabbah is itself a compilation of earlier rabbinic traditions. Among its principal identifiable sources and parallels are the Jerusalem Talmud, Genesis Rabbah, Leviticus Rabbah, Lamentations Rabbah, and Pesikta de-Rav Kahana. Consequently, individual passages may preserve traditions substantially older than the final redaction of Ruth Rabbah itself. The work is written principally in Mishnaic Hebrew, with portions, particularly narrative material, in Jewish Palestinian Aramaic. The linguistic character of the work and the rabbinic authorities cited within it support its origin in the Palestinian rabbinic tradition.

The first printed edition of Ruth Rabbah appeared at Pesaro in 1519 CE, where it was published as Midrash Ruth together with midrashim on the other biblical scrolls. The designation Ruth Rabbah became established in subsequent printed collections of Midrash Rabbah. The traditional printed text derives substantially from this early printed tradition and contains textual problems that make comparison with manuscript witnesses important when evaluating particular readings.

For the Joshua earthquake tradition, the relevant passage occurs in the introductory petihta (proem) to Ruth Rabbah. The passage links Joshua's burial north of Mount Gaash with Hebrew terms for shaking and states that God sought to bring an earthquake upon the world. Because Ruth Rabbah is a much later witness than the events it purports to describe, this passage represents a rabbinic exegetical tradition rather than contemporary historical testimony. Its possible historical value therefore depends upon whether the tradition preserves earlier material independent of the wordplay developed around the name Gaash.