For the source text click/tap here: Nedarim 50
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Our daf is the source for one of the greatest Talmudic love stories – Rabbi Akiva and Rachel.
Rachel was the daughter of Bar Kalba Savua, who came from one of the wealthiest and most politically powerful families in Israel during the time of the destruction of the Second Temple. Akiva, a 40-year-old shepherd who worked for Bar Kalba Savua, asked Rachel to marry him. She agreed to do so if he promised to devote himself to the study of Torah after their wedding. Akiva agreed to do so, and they secretly married.
Upon learning of this Bar Kalba Savua threw Rachel out of his house and disowned her, condemning her to a life of poverty while Akiva studied. The Talmud relates that Akiva returned after 12 years of study, but before entering his house he heard his wife say that she would be willing to have her husband continue to learn for another 12 years. Taking her on her word, he returned to the beit midrash for another 12 years, returning home with 24,000 pairs of students.
We explore the man and the legend.