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Examples
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One interpretation is appropriate for the tableau in the Bible: she is called Orpah because she turned her back (oref) on her mother-in-law (Ruth Rabbah 2: 9).
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This led the Rabbis to call Orpah “the one who kissed,” and Ruth, “the one who clung” (BT Sotah 42b).
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Orpah, in all her bookish wisdom, is trying to change that.
Books men want 2009
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Professionally, I am thankful that the Orpah question will cease to exist next year!
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Orpah decided to return to her family, but Ruth spoke to Naomi the oath of her commitment.
Do You Know Who I Am? Angela Thomas 2010
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The reason why the Rabbis depict Orpah in such a negative light apparently lies in their perception of her as the antagonist of Ruth.
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The Rabbis present the latter as a paragon of modesty (see the entry: “Ruth”), while Orpah becomes a symbol of promiscuity.
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And also: “[She was named] Orpah, for she deserved to have her neck broken [because of her actions], like the heifer who is so treated” (Ruth Zuta 1: 4; although the specific act to which this criticism is directed is not given by the midrash).
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In the version of the midrash in BT Sanhedrin (fol. 95a), Orpah also aided her son, Ishbi-benob, in his battle with David and Abishai, and even died during the course of this fight.
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R. Meir emphasizes the fact that Orpah and Ruth did not convert during their marriages to the two brothers, but remained Moabitesses, which is one of the reasons given for the punishment meted out to the brothers (Ruth Rabbah 2: 9); another tradition has them converting during the course of their marriages, but maintains that Orpah returned to her people and her god (Zohar Hadash, Ruth, 78a).
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