The Jewish advance., 1879-08-08

teach all Israel that no one man should
ever again insist that the majority should
adopt his opinion, for all religious disci-
pline would then be destroyed. All the
students of the Law knew that the sages
of Yabna had accommodated Rabbi
Eliezer, but he himself did not yet know
anything of the matter, for not one man
could be found among all the sages who
was willing to make this known to Rabbi
Eliezer. [ then said to the sages
l am ready, send me. [ will 60 and
tell him of this, lest the matter be made
known to him by some of the ignorant
people, when he will become angered and
pray to heaven for vengeance against us"
In mourners garments and with bro
ken heart, went to the city of Lud, the
dwelling place Of Rabbi Eliezer, en-
tered his house and sat down on the
ground at distance Of four yards from
him. AS soon as he saw me he said to
me:
Akiba what means this mourn
ing ?"
Rabbi RI replied, with sorrowful
countenance, Rabbi it seems to me
that the sages of Israel have separated
themselves from you.'
He then comprehended what had been
decreed upon him; he sighed terribly,
wept bitterly, removed his shoes, tore
his garments, and sat down upon the
ground. At the same moment the heav-
ems were darkened with clouds, the sun
light disappeared, the earth clad itself
in robes of mourning, and all it's produc-
tions and trees lifted their voices in
tunes of sorrow and affliction.
After the lapse of many days we heard.
that hes was sick, and was confined 10 hrs
bed II fa His ao visit ii M.
15d1l a. els Sllsds with an indignant
countenance and with angry looks, be-
cause we had stayed away from him un-
til now. He said to US
!" I will be greatly astonished if ye die
the common death of all men, or if We
be visited after the visitation of all the
world"
Rabbi p | said to him, Rabbi what
death has been decreed for me ?"
4" For you, alas fearful and terrible
death has been decreed for you. You
will die cruel death by the hands of
tyrants, a death so unnatural that the
like of it never has been seen under the
heavens Akiba Akiba loved you
dearly, and you was the one to offend
me-you. With all my might [ tried to
gain you admission into all the chambers
of the Law, and to reveal to you it's Sc
crets and holy mysteries with all my
soul desired to teach you all the secrets
of the universe, and to initiate you into
the mysteries of nature. Butyou would
not lend me your ear, nor receive in
structlon at my mouth, so that the foun-
tain of wisdom flowing through my heart
has remained sealed unto this day; and
now | am standing at the edge of my
grave, this is not the time for me to teach
you the mysteries of wisdom, and my
secret will be buried with me in the
earth"
Then Rabbi Yeshua arose and said
THE ban of accommodation is re-
moved"
We all responded and said
"The ban of excommunication is with
drawn and removed !"
But | continued to cry bitterly, and my
soul refused to be consoled for the loss
of my precious teacher; teacher to
whom none could be found equal in
knowledge among ali the sages of Israel;
and there was no one among the rem
nant of our scribes who could answer my
questions, and explain every mysterious
point in religion, and every intricate
point of law, like he. My only conso-
lation was the certainty that [ would die
as a martyr for the sanctifcation of
Gods name and for the honor of his holv
law.
(To be concZuded.)