[Buggman]

Okay. But at this point in the discussion, the question is whether illegal immigrants, who know perfectly well that they are engaged in an illegal action, qualify as peaceful, lawful soujorners or as criminal invaders. I presume that Elimelech did not start out his soujorn by violating the laws of Moab, so how does the way he was treated affect the discussion here?

Shalom

[xzins]

A different time in history is important, but that doesn’t change the issue of openness versus closedness. In a time of nation-states and borders and tight control, there are laws about the movement of one people into the territory of another.

Moreover, Ruth had marriage rights in a land not her own by virtue of her marriage to Naomi’s son. Those rights were honored even though she were a foreigner.