6th century midrash on the book of Ruth (did I get that right?)
Yes.
I haven't studied all of Ruth Rabbah yet, but I don't think they're saying "only" -- they're saying that this is an important teaching from the book of Ruth. I would think that the themes of faith and of doing the right thing even when it's the heard thing are also important. Also, the small coda at the end -- that Ruth the Moabite is the grandmother of King David -- is something I would expect the rabbis to consider important. :-)
(no subject)
Yes.
I haven't studied all of Ruth Rabbah yet, but I don't think they're saying "only" -- they're saying that this is an important teaching from the book of Ruth. I would think that the themes of faith and of doing the right thing even when it's the heard thing are also important. Also, the small coda at the end -- that Ruth the Moabite is the grandmother of King David -- is something I would expect the rabbis to consider important. :-)