Rabbah and Rav Yosef's 22-Year Question
A question troubled Rabbah and Rav Yosef for the 22 years Rabbah led the yeshiva, until Hashem let the newly appointed Rav Yosef solve it.
The Gemara relates that there was a question that plagued Rabbah and Rav Yosef for 22 years. Rashi notes that the number 22 was not coincidental. Rabbah served as rosh yeshiva for 22 years before he passed away. During his entire tenure, this particular thorny question remained unanswered. Upon Rabbah’s petirah, Rav Yosef, who was blind, was appointed rosh yeshiva. Perhaps people viewed him as less of a talmid chacham compared to Rabbah. Rashi explains that Hashem wanted Rav Yosef to develop a reputation as an accomplished scholar as well. Therefore, Hashem granted him insight to solve the previously unresolved question.