After years of reading and commenting, I want to share some of my thoughts about Jewish life and law.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
A quick thought about Rabbi Akiva
It is out of season I know, but it occurred to me that 1000 pairs (couples?) of students died for each additional year Rabbi Akiva stayed away after from Rachel after he became a Talmid Chacham.
Just floated to your blog after seeing a comment you made on Hirhurim.
I gave a drasha on this topic. I think the answer to your question is seen in the Aggadata (TB Nedarim 50a) - when Rabbi Akiva returned after 14 years with his 24000 students, they repudiated Akiva's wife: "So she went to see him, but the disciples wished to repulse her. ‘Make way for her,’ he told them, ‘for my [learning] and yours are hers.’"(translation Soncino)
Hence I think the Gemara is telling us that the nature of the students' sin was related to Akiva's absence from his wife.
1 comment:
Hi Larry,
Just floated to your blog after seeing a comment you made on Hirhurim.
I gave a drasha on this topic. I think the answer to your question is seen in the Aggadata (TB Nedarim 50a) - when Rabbi Akiva returned after 14 years with his 24000 students, they repudiated Akiva's wife: "So she went to see him, but the disciples wished to repulse her. ‘Make way for her,’ he told them, ‘for my [learning] and yours are hers.’"(translation Soncino)
Hence I think the Gemara is telling us that the nature of the students' sin was related to Akiva's absence from his wife.
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