Rabbi Akiva was a shepherd-turned-sage who flourished during the era of the destruction of the Second Temple. Encouraged by his wife, Rachel, and famous for teaching that “love your fellow as yourself” is the cardinal rule of the Torah, he left an indelible mark on Talmudic tradition, in which he and his students are often quoted. He died a martyr’s end at the hands of the Romans, whom he defied by teaching Torah in public.
Rabbi Akiva (Akiba) Stories
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Tinneius Rufus, the Roman ambassador to Judea at the beginning of the second century, asked Rabbi Akiva, “Why does G‑d hate us?"
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The students broke into tears. Looking up, they noticed that Rabbi Akiva was laughing.
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“On the day your daughter enters the bridal chamber,” the astrologers said to Rabbi Akiva, “a snake will bite her and she will die.”
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Said the fox to the fiishes: “Why don’t you come out onto the dry land? We’ll live together, as my ancestors lived with your ancestors . . .”
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Related Topics
- Akiba ben Joseph (59)
- Jewish History (46)
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