The answer is: Winnowing barley

Ruth 3:2

Boaz at the threshing floor is a vivid picture of ancient agricultural life, where the harvest was not just an economic necessity, but a time of celebration and communal activity. The threshing floor, usually located on elevated ground for wind support, played a crucial role in separating grain from chaff. When Boaz was winnowing barley, he was participating in a process that was vital to ensuring food security for his community. Interestingly, during biblical times, the act was often seen symbolically as a representation of divine judgment—separating the valuable from the worthless—a concept that resonates throughout many scriptural narratives.

This backdrop sets the stage for Ruth's bold actions Junctitudinally styled in societal norms; a woman approaching a man was a striking deviation from convention. But Ruth's motivations were much more than romance; she was pursuing security and sustenance for herself and her mother-in-law, Naomi. Boaz, treated here as a righteous and caring figure, highlights the practice of kinship redeemers—where family members were expected to support one another, offering a fascinating insight into the web of social responsibility woven through ancient Israelite communities.

Fun tidbit: Did you know that the Hebrew word for winnowing, “zira,” reflects not just the physical action of grain separation, but also hints at spiritual processes of clarity? Boaz's actions carried not only practical benefits but were steeped in cultural implications of love, redemption, and faithfulness—a heartwarming lead-up to what unfolds between him and Ruth!