Reading Megillas Rus on Shavuos

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Reading Megillas Ruth:[1]

It is customary to read the Megillah of Rut on [the second day of[2]] Shavuos being that it is the time of Matan Torah.[3] Nevertheless, a blessing is not recited over the reading. [The Chabad custom is not to read Megillas Ruth during the Davening of Shavuos.[4] It is however read in private within the saying of the Tikkun Leil Shavuos.]

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[1] Admur 494:13; Rama 490:9; Yalkut Shimoni Rus 596; Abudarham; Mateh Moshe 693

[2] Mateh Moshe 693; P”M 490 A”A 8; See Kaf Hachaim 494:58; Yeshuos Yaakov 490:1

The reason: As the main giving of the Torah was on the 7th of Sivan, as well as that on the first day people are tired from being awake the entire night. [P”M ibid] Alternatively, it is because David passed away on the second day of Shavuos. [See Poskim in next footnote]

In Eretz Yisrael: In Eretz Yisrael the custom is to read Ruth on the first day.

[3] The reason: This is read to teach us that the Torah was only given out of pain and suffering, just like occurred to Ruth when she converted. [Admur ibid; M”A 490:8] Alternatively, the reason is because Dovid Hamelech was born and passed away on Shavuos, and the Megila of Ruth was written in his merit, to document his lineage. [Birkeiy Yosef 494:11; Shaareiy Teshuvah 494:2 in name of Bechor Shur p. 221; Likkutei Sichos 8:21]

[4] Piskeiy Hasiddur 166 based on omission of Admur in Siddur; Hamelech Bemesibo 1:171; Sichas Chag Hashavuos 1958:37; Hisvadyus 1988 3:419; See Shulchan Menachem 2:254; Otzer Minhagei Chabad p. 305-306; So is also the custom of Ger, to not read Megillas Rus during the day. [Nitei Gavriel 23:2]

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