Rabba, Rav Yosef and the Rosh Yeshiva Seat
The Sages choose Rav Yosef's vast knowledge over Rabba's genius to lead the yeshiva, but Rav Yosef steps aside for twenty-two years and later solves Abaye's question.
Meanwhile, the current Rosh HaYeshiva passed away. It was agreed that certainly either Rabba or Rav Yosef would be appointed to this illustrious position. However, it was unclear who should be chosen. Rav Yosef’s breadth of encyclopedic Torah knowledge surpassed Rabba’s. Yet, Rabba’s sheer genius was incomparable. The rabbis ruled that since in those days,the majority of Torah remained oral, the Rosh HaYeshiva should be the one with the unparalleled encyclopedic knowledge. Rav Yosef nevertheless refused the appointment. Rabba became the Rosh HaYeshiva. During Rabba’s tenure, Rav Yosef refused any display of honor, so as not to diminish the respect due to the reigning Rosh HaYeshiva. Twenty-two years later, Rabba passed away and Rav Yosef became Rosh HaYeshiva. He served for two and half years until his passing. At that point, Abaya became Rosh HaYeshiva to be eventually followed by Rava.