Part 1 can be seen at:
http://www.atorahminute.com/womensCorner/2010-04-29Rahel, whose whole being was devoted to her husband's growth in Torah, answered the evil question without any hesitation. She replied: "I wish he could hear me and remain in his Yeshiba twelve more years!". Hearing his wife's words and her verbal permission, Ribbi 'Aqiba turned back to continue his learning.
Twelve years later, he returned to his hometown, accompanied by 24,000 disciples! When Rahel heard the news about her husband, she ran outside to greet him. She refused the kind offer of her neighbors to borrow nice clothing. When she saw him she fell upon her face, while his students tried to push her away. Ribbi 'Aqiba said to them: "Leave her alone. My Torah knowledge and yours are all hers!"
Rahel's father, Kalba Sabuwa, also heard about the arrival of the outstanding Torah scholar. Not knowing who he really was, he decided to go to him. He was hoping the scholar will be able to help him find an opening to annul the vow he had made, over two decades previously, to disown his daughter, Rahel. Ribbi 'Aqiba asked him if he would have made his vow if his son-in-law was a knowledgeable man. Kalba Sabuwa replied: "Even if he knew one chapter or one single halacha, I wouldn't have made that vow". Ribbi 'Aqiba humbly said: "I am that man..." His father in law fell upon his face and kissed his feet. He gave Ribbi 'Aqiba and Rahel half his wealth.
Now Ribbi 'Aqiba was able to fulfill his promise to his beloved wife, a promise he had made, to comfort her, when they lived in extreme poverty. He gave her a gold ornament of Jerusalem, which women were accustomed to wear.
My dear friends, many lessons can be learnt from this extraordinary story. Each one of us can derive her own personal one. If we would only remember, that every single one of us possesses the hidden power to leave indelible impressions on those around us: the ability to change an illiterate shepherd into a Torah giant.
