Brachot 48a tells the following charming story (translation from the William Davidson edition of the Talmud): “The Gemara relates that Abaye and Rava—when they were children—were seated before Rabba. Rabba said to them: ‘To whom does one recite blessings?’ They said to him: “To God, the All-Merciful.” Rabba asked them: ‘And where does the All-Merciful reside?’ Rava pointed to the ceiling. Abaye went outside and pointed towards heaven. Rabba said to them: “You will both become Sages.”” It is as the popular saying goes: “A cucumber can be recognized from its blossoming stage.” Similarly, a great person can be recognized even from a young age.
Children Perceiving Hashem
Most importantly, this story teaches that even small children can grasp the idea of Hashem. emunah and connection with Hashem are innate, implanted in the Torah the Malach teaches every child (Niddah 30b) and our fundamental selves. Every human being is created b’tzelem Elokim and the divine breath—as described in Bereishit, perakim 1 and 2.
Even those with limitations are capable of perceiving Hashem’s identity. My daughter, Chaya Zippora—who has Down’s Syndrome—as a little girl was sitting with our family enjoying the Shabbat afternoon meal when the Shabbat timer turned off the lights. Chaya Zippora looked up to Shamayim and charmingly said, “Hashem, it’s Shabbos, You should not be turning off lights!”
The Abaye-Rava Machloket
Binyamin understands Abaye and Rava arguing about whether Hashem comes to us or if we go to Hashem. They are both correct. For example, Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik (Shiurim L’Zecher Abba Mari, zt”l, 1:66-68) sets forth that on Shabbat, Hashem comes to us, and on Yom Tov, we go to Hashem. It is for this reason that we omit “Lecha Dodi” on Yom Tov.
Another example Rav Soloveitchik offers is that Hashem comes to us in a beit knesset, but we go to Hashem in the Beit Hamikdash. Binyamin says that Rava perceives Hashem as entering the home. Abaye sees the need to go outside to connect with our Creator. Alternatively, the young Abaye and Rava disagree on whether we connect with Hashem at home or outside the house. Of course, both perceptions are accurate.
Rabba’s Reaction
Rabba understood the magnificent synergy between Abaye and Rava that manifested itself already when the pair were young children. He encouraged both of them to continue with their disagreements. Together, they made a profound contribution to Torah learning.
Hashem’s Weekly Shoutout to Abaye
As is evident to every Talmud student, Abaye and Rava would not have scaled to such great heights without the other. They magnificently complement each other to enrich Torah learning for eternity. We never find tension between the two, as we do between Rav Yochanan and Reish Lakish (Bava Metzia 84a). Rather, they disagree harmoniously.
Abaye never expresses annoyance with Rava, despite the typical Talmudic debate beginning with Abaye followed by Rava’s challenge and disagreement. Never does Abaye lose patience and persistence. Although we follow Rava in all cases but six (the famous “yaal kegam,” Bava Metzia 22b), Abaye never gives up or expresses even a hint of jealousy.
For this reason, I suggest that Hashem visits Abaye weekly and Rava only once a year—as told in Taanit 21b-22a. Abaye deserves special recognition and divine applause for his selfless devotion to Torah learning.
The Power of Encouragement
Rabba set his two young pupils on an exalted path with his encouraging words. Rabba deserves great credit, for who knows if the pupils would have reached such a high level without his encouragement.
It is similar to Noach’s father, Lemech, encouraging Noach by proclaiming that this child will greatly contribute to mankind (plowing equipment; Bereishit 5:29 with Rashi).“Moded anavim Hashem—Hashem encourages the humble,” (Tehillim 147:6). Our mandate is to follow Hashem’s example (“… vehalachta bedrachav,” Devarim 28:9 and Sotah 14a) and encourage others. The power of encouragement can be profound, as Rabba’s example shows.
Conclusion: Botzin Botzin
The Gemara concludes, “Botzin botzin mekatfei yedia—one can discern the quality of a pumpkin from its early stages of development.” This insight does not preclude free will. If anything, the opposite is true. Sukkah 52a teaches that the greater the person, the greater his temptation to go wrong.
Undoubtedly, Rava and Abaye were challenged by the yetzer hara to veer off their wonderful path. Their great achievement is that they never submitted to the yetzer hara, making them worthy of regular divine visits and a very special place in the heart of every Jew.
Postscript: Buried Next to Each Other
Abaye and Rava are buried next to each other in graves that we can visit even today. What a fitting culmination of a beautiful pair of Jews who set a model of proper Torah learning and comportment!
Rabbi Jachter serves as the rav of Congregation Shaarei Orah, rebbe at Torah Academy of Bergen County and a get administrator with the Beth Din of Elizabeth. Rabbi Jachter’s 18 books may be purchased at Amazon and Judaica House.
