The path of Rebbe Akiva's life is pretty amazing. It would appear that there is no more moving love story in all of Chaza"l than the story of Rebbe Akiva and Rochel. The daughter of the wealthy Kalva Savua and the simple shepherd.
Chaza"l describe their great poverty, how they lived in a silo as Rochel pulled straw from his hair and he from hers. Is there a greater love story? But their love was directed to the study of Torah, as Rochel waited twelve years for Rebbe Akiva's return, and then another twelve during which he studied Torah and turned into the greatest Torah scholar and teacher of Israel. Rebbe Akiva returned after twenty-four years at the head of his 24,000 students when his wife Rochel was already old and he was at the pinnacle of his greatness.
Chaza"l describe how she fell at his feet and his students tried to push her away. Rebbe Akiva ordered them to leave her alone, "What is mine and what is yours, is hers." There is no more amazing song of love than this song, this story. From this story we get a glimpse of the stature of Rebbe Akiva, that he knew that pure love must emanate from holy roots and not, God forbid, from impurity. It was from this understanding that he rose to the highest of levels.
כ"ג
Chaza"l describe their great poverty, how they lived in a silo as Rochel pulled straw from his hair and he from hers. Is there a greater love story? But their love was directed to the study of Torah, as Rochel waited twelve years for Rebbe Akiva's return, and then another twelve during which he studied Torah and turned into the greatest Torah scholar and teacher of Israel. Rebbe Akiva returned after twenty-four years at the head of his 24,000 students when his wife Rochel was already old and he was at the pinnacle of his greatness.
Chaza"l describe how she fell at his feet and his students tried to push her away. Rebbe Akiva ordered them to leave her alone, "What is mine and what is yours, is hers." There is no more amazing song of love than this song, this story. From this story we get a glimpse of the stature of Rebbe Akiva, that he knew that pure love must emanate from holy roots and not, God forbid, from impurity. It was from this understanding that he rose to the highest of levels.
כ"ג
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