// 845.371.2222 YISKAH GOLD ability to overcome challenges and build himself up into the leader of the generation? Rebbi Akiva, the symbol of resilience. Twenty four thousand talmidim. The future sages and teachers of the generation. The pride and hope of their Rabbi and their people. All of them gone, taken by the plague. The nation was in mourning, the world was desolate. Who will teach Torah? How will the word of Hashem continue to spread? Once again, Rebbi Akiva pulled himself up by his bootstraps. Instead of sinking into the mire of depression, he started all over again. With joy and dedication, hope and energy. The five students that he taught and imbued became the future of Klal Yisroel. Reb Meir, Reb Yehudah, Reb Shimon, Reb Yosi, and Reb Elazar. The Torah we learn, is theirs. Almost all of Shas is based on their teachings. Rebbi Akiva the symbol of renewal. 8 He was a gangster. His strength was legendary, the might of his fists feared by all. Tall, broad, and muscular, he roughed it in the streets, living through the power of his brawn. Daring and fearless, he often did what nobody would dream of trying. He once sold himself to a group of cannibals. (Gather round Guys! Great menu planned for tonight!) When the hour to eat their meal arrived, they granted him (as all pious cannibals do) his last wish. He asked to be allowed to give each of them one and a half lashes. They agreed to his bizarre request. Placing a stone into a sack, he dealt each of them one lash with such power, they remained immobilized on the floor. Seeing the fury in their eyes, (Hey! We’re just innocent cannibals!) he explained: “I still owe each of you one half of a lash!,” (a deal is a deal, aint 149
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTY1MDA0