Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/196

 The Book of Coiesis

178

At the

last

Akiba was coming back with joy

thought

of

being once

in

more united with

his heart at his

devoted

wife, and being able to alleviate her hardships and give her

happiness in return for

But just as he in

set foot

all

her deprivations and sacrifices.

within the door, he heard his Rachel

conversation with a neighbor, and the latter say, "It serves

thee right for having married beneath thee; thy husband has

forsaken thee and will never return". And the brave Rachel answered, "If only he would hearken to me, he would remain away another twelve years in order to study and grow, and

become the leader in Israel that I know he can be". When Akiba heard these brave words he thought, "I will do her bidding; surely this is her desire". So without a word he went away again, and remained another twelve years. During these years his knowledge grew in every direction, and the fame of the new rabbi spread far and wide. His teachers and colleagues came to respect his opinions and seek his advice, and at last he was looked upon by all who knew him as the wisest man and the true spiritual leader of all Israel. But his real name was as yet unknown. Then one day word came that the great rabbi was coming to the city in which Rachel dwelt. The news penetrated even to her hovel, and with it her heart beat fast. Somehow the thought grew upon her, that this great rabbi would prove to be her husband, gone now these twenty- four vears. Trembling and expectant she went out with the crowds to greet the master. At last she beheld him among all his disciples, and lo, it was he. Sobbing for joy she fell to the ground and kissed his feet. Indignantly the disciples sought to push the seeming beggar away. But the master raised her in his arms before all the ])eoi)le and kissed her tenderly and reverently. And softly the words fell from his lips, "Let her be. All the knowledge which I have, and all which you have, are due to her alone". So Rachel's husl)and came back to her, the ereat Rabbi Akiba, the wisest man of his