Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/197

 The Wooing of Rcbckah

179

day, the leader of Israel in the period of alniost trial.

And

its

greatest

Rachel had her reward.

But this was not the end. Among the crowd who had come to greet the great rabbi was Kalba Sabua. Little did he dream that the man whom he sought to honor was his own son-in-law, whom he had driven away in anger. He had intended to ask the great rabbi to free him from his cruel vow, to his

if

this

daughter

but his

vow

were

possible.

in all her misery,

held him back.

could find some

way

to

His heart had gone out and he longed to help her,

Now

release

perhaps the wise rabbi

him from the vow.

And

when he asked the rabbi, and the latter answered, *'Hadst thou known that thy son-in-law would become a renowned rabbi, wouldst thou have made thy vow?" he replied, "Had I

thought that he would be able to learn even one chapter

would have been satisfied". "I am thy sonAkiba simply. For a moment the rich man stared in amazement. Then he, too, threw himself at the feet of his son-in-law and begged forgiveness. But Rabbi Akiba raised him up with words of comfort and "It was all God's will", he said, "all for the best". cheer. of the Torah.

I

in-law", said Rabbi

And

thereafter they lived happily together.

The fortune

of

Kalba Sabua became Akiba's and Rachel's in time. The poverty and suft'tring of their early days were succeeded by plenty and happiness. Nor did they fail to give of their abundance to the poor. Of Rabbi Akiba we shall hear from time to time. But of his noble wife, Rachel, we know no more Nor do we need to learn more. Her story and her example are typical of the Jewish wife and mother, just as are those of Sarah and Rebekah. And of her, and of them, and of all true Jewish wives and mothers we may say,

Many

daughters have done Rut thou excellest them all.

But

to return to

Rebekah.

valiantly,

Not every maiden, even among