Abba Hilkah's wife: The bejewelled one whose bread brought the rain
When Abba Hilka and his wife both prayed for rain, the rainclouds first appeared in her corner. This was attributed to her donations of bread to the poor.
When he returned from work, she would go out and greet him wearing all her jewellery. He says that she does this so that he wouldn't look at other women. But in acknowledging her sexual allure, he becomes anxious at the effect it would have on the rabbis and so was particular in the order that they entered the house. As he didn't want these strange men alone with her in the house, even momentarily. Despite his sexual jealousy, he acknowledges that strangers would regularly come to the house to receive food from her. He sees giving food is better than giving money. And so, because she provides immediate gratification of desires, the rain comes in her merit.
(Ta’anit 23b)
When he returned from work, she would go out and greet him wearing all her jewellery. He says that she does this so that he wouldn't look at other women. But in acknowledging her sexual allure, he becomes anxious at the effect it would have on the rabbis and so was particular in the order that they entered the house. As he didn't want these strange men alone with her in the house, even momentarily. Despite his sexual jealousy, he acknowledges that strangers would regularly come to the house to receive food from her. He sees giving food is better than giving money. And so, because she provides immediate gratification of desires, the rain comes in her merit.
(Ta’anit 23b)