I know, said Akiva quietly. You have a beautiful name. Who are you named after?
Our foremother Rachel.
Tell me about her, said Akiva.
Do you really not know who Rachel is? Rachel asked surprised. She was the wife of our forefather Jacob. I hope you know who Jacob is.
Akiva shook his head.
Ill tell you then. Jacob was the son of our forefather Yitzchak and our foremother Rivka. Hiding from his brothers rage, Jacob went to find Lavan, his mothers brother. Lavan had two daughters, the older one Lea and the younger one, Rachel. Jacob fell in love with Rachel at first sight and to marry her, he agrees to serve as a shepherd in Lavans house for seven long years. For Jacob, the seven years passed as if they were seven days because his love for Rachel was so strong.
Seven years for the right to marry. How can that be possible? Akiva asked in disbelief.
Well, Jacob agreed to it and his love for Rachel was so strong that the years flew by.
Rachel was quiet for a few moments collecting her thoughts before continuing.
Listen to what happened next. When the seven years were up, Jacob went to see Lavan and asked for Rachels hand in marriage. Lavan agreed, chose the wedding day and invited many guests. Jacob didnt trust him though and agreed with his bride to be that she would make a special sign to him before the ceremony began. When the wedding day arrived, Lavan tricked Jacob and swapped Rachel for Lea. Jacob only realised what had happened after the wedding when she removed Leas veil, by which time, it was too late. Later, he learned from Rachel, that to save her sister being humiliated before all their guests, Rachel told her sister about their secret sign.
Lavan said that Jacob could work another seven years in his house and then he could finally have Rachel as his wife. Jacob immediately agreed as he and Rachel truly loved one another. Later they had a first-born called Joseph. Sadly, Rachel died whilst giving birth to her second child Benjamin.
Thats a really sad story, Akiva said thoughtfully. It would be very rare today for someone to be capable of what Jacob did then. I would never give my beloved to another. If Rachel loved Jacob so strongly, how could she have let her sister have him?
Our foremother Rachel was a very compassionate woman. She loved Jacob but let her sister have him to save her from humiliation. She cried for days and nights at the thought of Jacob embracing another woman after seven years of waiting but she never regretted what she had done.
To this day, Jews come to pray at Rachels grave in Beth-Lehem17 at their most difficult times in the hope of evoking the mercy of the All-mighty. Our foremother Lea and our forefather Jacob are buried in Hebron18.
Could you do what Rachel did? Akiva asked, meeting Rachels eyes with a searching look.
I dont know, I have never been in love. I dont think there are people like that anymore who are willing to give up everything for the sake of those they love.
Rachel looked thoughtfully in the direction of the river, admiring its current.
Sometimes I think that Rachel didnt love Jacob enough, given what she did, and then at other times I am amazed at how strongly she must have loved him to let her competitor into her own home.
What was Jacobs fate? Akiva asked.
The story of Jacob and his sons is very long. Ill tell you about it sometime but its already getting dark and I must go. I could go one forever about our forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob said Rachel with a soft smile.
I know about forefather Abraham because Shimon talks about him a lot, said Akiva.
Its good that you know about our forefather Abraham. He is the father of Isaac and the grandfather of Jacob. Rachel was pleased. He had a huge tent that stood at the centre of the desert. Abraham received travellers who passed his home and invited them into his tent. He gave them water so they could wash their feet, and then gave them food and drink. In Abrahams day, people worshipped wooden statues and were steeped in paganism. Abraham was the first person who publicly spoke of the existence of the One God. Even in his early childhood, he understood that the world has a one Creator and that people must serve and worship the Creator alone.
You are so young and yet you know so much! Akiva said unable to contain his admiration.
My father says, that everyone should know the history of their people. Its a pity that you know so little about the lives of our forefathers.
I have never had the time or opportunity to study, said Akiva justifying himself. I have spent my life in the meadow herding cattle or in the forest collecting dry wood and now its too late.
Its never too late to learn, said Rachel. If I have time, I will come and see you and tell you about the history of our people. Today is the eve of the Shabbat and preparations in the house are already in full swing. Id better hurry. I am supposed to be helping. Well be preparing food until late in the evening and tomorrow morning well tidy the house and when the Shabbat begins Ill go to the synagogue with my father.
Akiva thanked Rachel who then grabbed her shawl and hurried towards the house. Akiva drove the sheep into the fold for the night. He would have to be up early the next morning with all the work that had to be done on the eve of Shabbat. Lying in his bed at night, Akiva thought about the stories Rachel had told him and barely had time to blink before the dawn light began seeping in through the window. Akiva got up, had something to eat and went off to work.
In the morning of the Shabbat, there were always lots of people on Kalba Savuas estate. The vegetable traders always brought him the best vegetables and the fruit traders the best fruit and the fishermen brought him the freshest fish of their catch. Akiva had long become accustomed to the hustle and bustle of the Shabbat preparations and so paid no attention to the noise and activity. Having fed and watered the sheep, Akiva set off for Shimons house having informed Ezra that he was leaving the estate.
The fish cooked on the coals and fresh flat bread that were served at Mr. Shimons house were particularly delicious.
Akiva, will you have another piece of fish? Asked Shimons wife Dvora. You work hard. You need to keep your strength up.
Have another piece, said Shimon, joining in his wifes encouragement.
Thank you, said Akiva, handing over his plate. We eat very well at Kalba Savuas and work on the estate isnt really that hard. Mr. Shimon, can I ask you something? I would like to say a blessing after the meal also. Will you teach me?
Shimon was delighted and said:
Thats wonderful, yes, Ill gladly help you. If you want to study the Scriptures I can introduce you to the yeshiva students in Jerusalem and theyll teach you the main prayers and teach you the history of the Jewish people.
Wont you teach me? I dont want to have anything to do with the yeshiva students.
Why not? Asked Shimon eating his fish.
Because they look down on the likes of me. Their role is to study the Torah and to help people, right?
Yes, Akiva, thats correct, said Shimon.
But thats not how it is in reality. They think they are better than anyone else and have totally lost touch with the simple folk. They are only kind to rich people. They laugh at the likes of me and treat us with disdain.