Komentarz do Rut 2:5

To whom does this maiden belong. Was it the practice of Bo’az to inquire about women? Rather, [because] he saw her modest and wise behavior [he was curious about her. He observed that] two ears she would glean but three she would not glean;⁸As prescribed by the Mishnah (Pe’ah 6:5). The Torah in Vayikra 19:9 awards the fallen ears of grain and forgotten sheaves to the poor. Thus her exemplary behavior and her knowledge of the law caught the attention of Bo’az and he therefore inquired about her. and she would glean the standing ears while standing and the lying ones while sitting, in order to avoid bending over.⁹Maseches Shabbos 113b.

“Whose girl is that…” The meaning of the question, “Whose girl is that,” is, “Is she fitting to enter the community of Israel?” “The servant in charge of the reapers replied…” This verse repeats, “The servant in charge of the reapers,” though in the first phrase it says, “...said to his servant who was in charge of the reapers…” It should have said, “He said to him, ‘A Moabite girl…’”¹⁶Without the repetition of the whole phrase, “The servant in charge of the reapers.” However, it seems that Boaz asked the question in the way one might ask a trusted member of his household, in charge of others. That is why it says, “He said to his servant,” who was in charge of the reapers. And since the servant was sharp and understood Boaz’s intention to marry Ruth, he answered ‘As a servant in charge of the reapers…’ That is, he made himself out to be ordinary, like the other servants standing among the reapers. He then showed his wisdom by speaking the truth, “without anything perverse on his lips,” (Mal. 2:6) or any prejudice attached to himself.