Rabbi Ḥananya ben Ḥakhinai and Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai went to study Torah with Rabbi Akiva in Bnei Brak. They remained there thirteen years. Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai would send [messages] and ascertain what was happening in his house. Rabbi Ḥananya would not send and ascertain what was happening in his house.
His wife sent him [a message] and said to him: ‘Your daughter has grown; come and marry her off.’ Nevertheless, only when Rabbi Akiva foresaw through the Divine Spirit19Rabbi Akiva perceived that Rabbi Ḥananya had a grown daughter. and said to them: ‘Anyone who has a grown daughter should go and marry her off,’ [Rabbi Ḥananya] knew what he was saying, rose, asked permission, and went. He sought to enter his house but found that he had turned to a different corner.20There had been significant construction in the city and due to all the new houses and courtyards, he was unable to locate his residence.
What did he do? He went and sat near where the women were drawing water. He heard the voice of the young women saying: ‘Daughter of Ḥanina, fill your jug and go up.’ What did he do?
He followed her until she entered his house. He entered after her suddenly and his wife just managed to see him and her soul departed. He said before Him: ‘Master of the universe, this poor woman, is this her reward after thirteen years that she waited for me?’ At that moment, her soul returned to her body.21This incident teaches that it is improper to enter even one’s own home without warning.
It is brought here because it is related to the bells on the robe of the High Priest, of which it is said: “Its sound shall be heard when he goes into the Sanctuary before the Lord” (Exodus 28:35; Etz Yosef). Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai said: There are four matters that the Holy One blessed be He hates, and I, too, do not like them: One who grasps the member and urinates; one who engages in marital relations naked; one who says intimate matters that are between him and his wife in public; and one who enters his house suddenly, and it goes without saying the house of another.
Rav said: Do not enter the city suddenly and do not enter the house suddenly. If your daughter has grown, emancipate your slave and give her to him.22Marry off your daughter quickly, even if it means emancipating your slave and marrying her off to him. Rabbi Yoḥanan, when he would enter to inquire after the welfare of Rabbi Ḥanina, he would make a sound, on the basis of: “Its sound shall be heard [when he goes into the Sanctuary before the Lord]” (Exodus 28:35).