Commentary for Nedarim 99:8

דמן דסרוקיתא ומן מטרוניתא

For he once gave four it to sailors, and told them to bring him something [that he needed]. But they found only a hollow <i>log</i> on the sea shore, which they brought to him, saying, 'Sit on this and wait'.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' [Lit., 'make this a tarrying place' (Goldschmidt); or 'Let our master make this (a tarrying place)', Rashi.] ');">¹⁴</span> It was found to be full of <i>denarii</i>. For it once happened that a ship sunk and all the treasures thereof were placed in that <i>log</i>, and it was found at that time. [iv] From the serokita.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' 'Aruch translates: Ishmaelite traders. The phrase is missing in 'En Jacob and unnoticed by the commentaries, and is obviously a corrupt dittography of [H] (Jast.) ');">¹⁵</span> [v] From a matron.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' A large sum of money was once needed for the school house. R. Akiba borrowed it from a matron, and at her request gave the Almighty and the sea as sureties for its punctual repayment. But when the money fell due, R. Akiba was unwell. Thereupon the matron stood at the edge of the sea did exclaimed, 'Sovereign of the Universe! Thou knowest that to Thee and to the sea have I entrusted my money'. In reply, He inspired the Emperor's daughter with a mad fit, in the course of which she threw a chest full of treasures into the sea, which was washed up at the matron's feet. On his recovery, he brought her the money, with apologies for the delay: but she told him what had happened, and sent him away with many gifts. ');">¹⁶</span> [vi]

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