The story of Ruth, traditionally read during Shavuot, strikes a chord with me at this political moment. Ruth’s dedication to her mother-in-law, Naomi, models what it means to commit to solidarity between one human being to another.
We can imagine Naomi’s dread. In a short period of time, she loses her husband and both of her sons. Amidst her grief, Naomi needs to make a long journey alone, and her social and economic opportunities as a widow are limited. In contrast, Ruth, who is also in mourning, can return to her own clan and rebuild her life on the path of least resistance.
In fact, Ruth’s sister Orpah (who also married one of Naomi’s sons and became a widow) wishes Naomi well while acknowledging the divergence of their lives. Remarkably, our text says Rut davka bah — Ruth cleaved to Naomi. Instead of moving past the scary thing facing someone else, Ruth draws from her place of relative security and affixes herself to the person she deems more vulnerable. Recognizing the precarity of another person’s situation, she refuses to relinquish herself of responsibility.
Cleaving to another human being means that the two entities are entangled — not easily separated. In the oft-quoted sentiment of “wherever you go, I shall go,” Ruth intertwines her entire universe of being with Naomi’s. Despite what’s best for Ruth’s short-term self-interest, she ties the outcomes of their lives to their combined power. Ruth’s solidarity not only enables both of them to survive the trip but also presents them with the opportunity to reencounter love, joy, and family as the story progresses.
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Although we need to safeguard our own health and well-being, we learn from the creation narrative that it is not good for a human being to dwell alone. Solidarity channels the strengths of the self to the benefit of the collective, and it provides us a lifeline when we need extra care. One person audaciously cleaves their universe of being to that of another person so that no one faces the forthcoming challenges alone. The group will prosper and falter along the way, but they will do so while exchanging assets and support.
When I imagine the fear of immigrants today, I think of Naomi. Every day must feel like an unknown journey. Our leaders are seizing our neighbors, whether or not they have a criminal record or legal status. There is no clear timeline or due process, and the conditions are frequently inhumane. I agonize thinking that people in my city stare down these perilous possibilities every day when they wake up. Nothing in the future is certain. Nothing stands on firm footing.God said to Moses before telling him to conduct the census. It says that God opened the book of Bamidbar by proclaiming the words of Psalm 36:7: “Your justice is like the great depths.”
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When I wonder about the adequate response to ICE’s cruelty, I think of Ruth’s solidarity. At 26 Federal Plaza in New York City, volunteers have taken shifts as immigrants go to required hearings. For immigrants, it’s a lose-lose situation. Going to court risks encountering ICE, but skipping a hearing may mean losing the means to gain legal status. When I volunteered for a shift, I introduced myself to a man and asked for his consent to keep him company with the intention of keeping him safe and watching out for ICE. I waited with him and witnessed him speak before the judge. Now, for the hardest part, we left for the subway platform. In my own version of “wherever you go, I shall go,” I kept saying, “I’m right here. We’re almost there.” Even if ICE detained him, I had his name and emergency contact so our legal team could continue to account for his whereabouts and well-being. When we reached the stairs to the 4 train, we both sighed in relief. Seeing someone else in the community in danger, I used what power I had to face the challenges in our midst and help him return home.
Even as so much feels out of control or dependent on the next election, there are ways for us to practice solidarity right now. We can listen, bear witness, refuse to normalize cruelty, offer material or emotional support, check in regularly, or accompany someone on a journey. In doing so, we cleave together our separate existences so that all of us persevere. As our story progresses, we continue to encounter the diversity of strengths, cultures, and perspectives that fill our lives with richness.
The more traditional reading of Ruth’s commitment to Naomi is that it represents her acceptance of Torah. We read it on Shavuot as we celebrate receiving Torah and the responsibilities we derive from wrestling with it. Let us not forget that the Torah mentions caring for the migrant among us more than any other mitzvah. This Shavuot, I pray that these sentiments of solidarity inspire us anew with Ruth’s example as our guide.
Rabbi Adam Graubart is the Director of Education and Family Outreach at SAJ – Judaism that Stands for All in New York City. He was ordained from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in May 2025. During seminary, he served as an intern at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah (CBST) and as a student rabbi at Beth Am, the People’s Temple. He feels especially passionate about affordable housing and LGBTQ rights. He invites those interested in participating in immigration court watch in New York City to join him by signing up here.