רב רחומי
The story of Rav Rachumi
Points:
1. The context: this story is told in the middle of a discussion about how often do men need to come to their wives. There is a specific question about חכמים (Torah learners).
2. Questions to think about:
- What do you think about Rav Rachumi?
- What is going on in his wife's head/life? What is going on in his own head/life?
- Why is this story taking place on Erev Yom Kipur?
- What is the message for Yom Kipur that we can see in this story?
3. Subtext:
רחומי
in Hebrew רחמים is mercy/compassion. In Aramaic רחמנא it is used for prayer and as a name of god. The word womb in Hebrew is also רחם.
What is the connection between all these meanings? Does this name suit the hero of the story?
הספנים אחת לששה חדשים דברי ר' אליעזר: אמר רב ברונא אמר רב הלכה כר"א אמר רב אדא בר אהבה אמר רב זו דברי ר' אליעזר אבל חכמים אומרים התלמידים יוצאין לת"ת ב' וג' שנים שלא ברשות אמר רבא סמכו רבנן אדרב אדא בר אהבה ועבדי עובדא בנפשייהו כי הא דרב רחומי הוה שכיח קמיה דרבא במחוזא הוה רגיל דהוה אתי לביתיה כל מעלי יומא דכיפורי יומא חד משכתיה שמעתא הוה מסכיא דביתהו השתא אתי השתא אתי לא אתא חלש דעתה אחית דמעתא מעינה הוה יתיב באיגרא אפחית איגרא מתותיה ונח נפשיה
M:...for sailors, once every six months - these are the words of Rabbi Eliezer.
G: Rav Beruna said in the name of Rav: The halachah follows Rabbi Eliezer. Rav Ada bar Ahavah, however, stated in the name of Rav: This is the view of Rabbi Eliezer only, but the Sages ruled: Students may go away to study Torah for two or three years without the consent [of their wives]. Rava said: The Rabbis relied on the position of Rav Ada bar Ahavah and acted at the risk of [losing] their lives. Thus Rav Rehumi who was frequenting [the school] of Rava at Mahoza used to return home on the Eve of every Kippur. On one occasion he was so attracted by his subject [that he forgot to return home]. His wife was expecting [him every moment, saying.] 'He is coming soon... he is coming soon...' As he did not arrive, she became depressed/lost her mind, a tear began to flow from her eye. He was [at that moment] sitting on a roof. The roof collapsed under him and he was killed.
רב תמרי מפומבדיתא מגיע לסורא
Rav Tamari From Pumbedita visits Sura
Points:
1. Context: this story is told in the middle of a discussion on if udders that are roasted are kosher or not (are they meat and milk cooked together). Bavel has two big rabinnic centers one is in the city of Sura and the other is in Pumbedita. In this discussion there are different traditions about the udders. In Sura they don't eat them and in Pumbedita they do.
2. Notice in the story:
- When is this story taking place?
- Where is this story taking place?
- In what state is Rav Tamari?
- How do the people of Sura treat him?