San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-08-30
The Romance OF Askiba.


Nineteenth Century.
The last and most famous of the
great Jewish rabbis of the first CEN
tury is r Akiba. According to the
common story he was of GENTLE
origin. He entered into the employ.
ment Of q rich inhabitant OF Jeru-
salem as q shepherd. While 30 en-
gagged he cordially hated the learn
ed class, possibly because of the
contempt often exhibited by them
TO persons of his class. He once
said: When was one of the COM
mon people 1 would say, Oh, that
/ had here the disciple of wise
man, that might bite him like an
ass" (Pesschin. 40 b. But his
hatred to learning was totally
altered by his falling in love with
Rachel, the daughter of his employ
or. He was then q widower, and
had one son. He was q man of noble
exterior as well IS of great mental
powers. His love was returned with
love. But Rachel refused to give
him her hand unless he abandoned
his shepherds staff and became q
scholar.
Though 40 years OF age he accepted
the conditions imposed by his be.
loved, and forthwith enrolled himself
as u pupil of the most distinguished
Jewish teachers of that day. For
twelve years he devoted himself to
intense study, though at first he
learned slowly and with difficulty.
He began his studies some fifteen
years previous to the destruction of
the Temple by Titus. Though his
fellow-studeDts were men of the high
est abilities, Akiba excelled them all.
He carefully learned the traditions of
the fathers, and acquired the skill to
discover proofs for these, or illusions
to them, in passages of the sacred
Scriptures. When on one occasion
he pressed his opponent, r Eliezer
Ben Hyrkanus, hard in argument, r
Jo-hus, the learned blacksmith, said
to ElieZer: "See these are the people
which you despIse." (Jer. Pesach, vi.
Al
In due course Akiba was married
but Rachel's father, KslDa Shebna,
opposed the marriage. and 1t took
place privately. kslba Shsbna
drove the pair from his house. and
disinherited his daughter. The
married pair were accordingly re-
duced to great straits. Their first
child was born upon q heap OF straw.
and Rachel was compelled to cut off
her hair and sell 1T In order to provide
the means of su osis tence. R. Akiba
consoled her on the occasion with
the promise, when 1 uecome rich
/ will buy for thee q golden Jerusa>
lem" He was obliged to separate
himself for several years from her
society while carrying on his studies
at Jerusalem. When he returned to
Bene- Berek, southwest of Jopps, al
ter having completed his studies, in
order to found a college of his own,
multitude went out to meet the then
distinguished rabbi. Rachel, clad in
attire, went also forth to
meet him, and when she saw him
sprang forward and clasped his knees.
His disciples. not knowing who she
was, attempted to trust her away.
But r. Akiba exclaimed: Let her
alone, make room for her; all that 1
am, and that you are, we have to
thank her for" (Nedarim, so Her
father, proud of the fame of his SON.
in.law, now bestowed upon her q rich
dowry. and left r. Askiba his entire
r. Akiba was not un-
of the promise he had made
in the days of poverty. and bestowed
upon his wife magnificent robe
upon which was embroidered in gold
, picture of Jerusalem.