ר' עקיבא ור' טרפון — עמיתים או רב ותלמיד?

In the world of the Tannaitic beit midrash it is usually clear who was the master and who was his disciple. Yet in the Talmud (B. Ketubot) the inter-relationship between Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Tarpon is presented in a vague and ambiguous manner.The article reviews the sources in which these two Sages of the Yavne generation appear together and presents the connection between them as an evolving relationship. According to various indices, including formulations typical of disciples, phrases signifying honor, etc., it is possible to identify a process beginning with R. Tarpon in a position superior to R. Akiva and ending with both figures of almost identical status, in a relationship of near equals. This phenomenon is quite clearly evident in Tannaitic sources close in time and place to the era under study. Similar examples may also be found among later generations of Tannaitic sages.If indeed the sources reflect a gradual process of shifting status – from disciple to colleague – this would suggest that the rabbinical society during the Tannaitic period allowed for class mobility and was founded on ability and personal achievement (in contrast to the world of the Amoraic beit midrash). It can be assumed that disciples usually met their masters’ expectations and rose gradually in rabbinic society, yet R. Akiva's unusual breakthrough indicates the possibility of deviating from the framework of gradual progress. In addition, this study argues for the reliability of these ancient sources, as the precise formulations of Tannaitic sources reflect a phenomenon unique to the period preceding their redaction.