Rabbi Akiva is one of the most monumental figures in Jewish history. But as the saying goes- behind every great man there is a great woman. This could not ring truer than for Rabbi Akiva’s wife, Rachel.

Rabbi Akiva had humble beginnings. Born into a destitute family, he never received an education and at 40 years old, he could still not read the Aleph Bet (Hebrew alphabet.) He worked as a shepherd for a wealthy man named Kalba Savua, whose daughter Rachel, took notice of Akiva’s character and fell in love with him. When Kalba Savua discovered that his daughter was betrothed to a poor, uneducated shepherd, he cut her off completely, leaving the new couple impoverished.

But Rachel loved him still and stood by her man.

The Talmud recounts the couples degree of poverty. During the winter they would take shelter in a storehouse and sleep on piles of straw. But they were warmed and strengthened by their love. Akiva would pull the stalks of straw tangled in Rachel’s hair and promised her:

“If I had the means I would place on your head a Jerusalem of Gold, a type of crown.”

Akiva intended to fulfill his promise. At the behest of his wife Rachel, Akiva set off to learn Torah and Jewish law and didn’t return for 12 years. Finally when Akiva arrived home, he heard neighbors accosting his wife. They mocked and tormented her claiming that she deserved to be disinherited by her father, because she married an unsuitable man- one who had left her for all these years.

Rachel retorted, “If he listens to me, he should be there for another twelve years.” Upon hearing this, Akiva returned to his studies, understanding that he had his wife’s blessing. Another 12 years later, Akiva returned home once again, but this time with 24,000 students following behind him.

Everyone ran to greet this new great leader, including his wife Rachel. When she presented herself before him, the other men pushed her away, not recognizing who she was because of her poor, disheveled appearance. Rabbi Akiva stopped them and proclaimed,

“Leave her…Both my Torah knowledge and yours are hers.”

Rabbi Akiva made good on his promise to his wife, adorning her with a gold crown engraved with the city of Jerusalem. His life ended tragically when he was brutally murdered by the Romans but his time on earth allowed for some of the greatest secrets and wisdom of Judaism to be revealed and taught. Rabbi Akiva had nothing to offer a rich man’s daughter, but Rachel saw beyond societal status and recognized the man Akiva was and would be. Not his potential, but his true essence.

It was due to Rachel’s sacrifice- not just of an easy, affluent lifestyle but years of home life with her husband. But she did it anyway. Rachel surrendered to something greater- deep love with a great man and a contribution to her people and Judaism that she knew only she and her husband could make.