5 Responses to

1. Yoni Kahan says:

   May 19, 2011 at 2:11 am

   Please explain this comment in view of the tribulations of Rabbi Akiva

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2. Jeremy says:

   May 19, 2011 at 2:16 pm

   If you are referring to how he died, that is the epitome of dying al kiddush Hashem. The reason people try to say Shema before they die is because of Rabbi Akiva. The gemorah even states that when he died, a heavenly voice went out to praise him for dying that way. I really don’t know the answer, but perhaps it happened to teach us what it means to die al kiddush Hashem. It is fitting as some of the most famous teachings on emuna come from Rabbi Akiva (laughing when everyone else was crying while seeing the fox in the ruins of the Beis Hamkidash because he knew the prophecy was true and that it would be rebuilt…) Perhaps he was an exception. I dont know. But this is not a foreign concept. The gemorah in shabbos states that there are no tribulations without prior transgressions. Again, perhaps he was an exception or perhaps Hashem wanted him to suffer to cleanse himself in this world of any sins he did commit. Remember, tzadikim are held to a higher standard. Even Moshe Rabeinu sinned. Again, these are just some thoughts that come to mind. As we learn further, I’m sure this will be covered.

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   • Yoni Kahan says:

     May 22, 2011 at 3:10 pm

     I strongly disagree. See Menachot 29B. In that story, Moshe asks God why Rabbi Akiva suffers such a terrible death.

     God does not answer:
     A) Rabbi Akiva is getting punished in this world so will not be punished in the next world
     B) Tzadikkim are held to a higher standard
     C) So it can be a kappara for others

     God’s answer, instead, is along of the lines of leave me alone. I do what I do and you can’t understand the reasons. The answer is similar to the conclusion of the Book of Job – God does what God does – and who are we (as puny human beings) that can understand or question God?

     So in reality, IMHO, God does what He does. We can’t understand or question it. Or job is to maintain to continue from that point, taking what lessons we can and recognizing that there will be times, when we can’t understand what God does.

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     • Jeremy says:

       May 23, 2011 at 9:53 am

       There are times that we do not understand why God does what He does. At those times, we have to have emuna and know that Hashem has a master plan and does everything for a reason, whether or not we understand it. That does not mean that we are not supposed to look for messages from Hashem. The opposite is true and there are many gemorahs and other texts to back me up without contradicting this gemorah which you quoted.
       Furthermore, there are many commentaries on this gemorah which explain A and B above, but that is beside the point.

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3. Yoni Kahan says:

   May 23, 2011 at 11:01 am

   Following the destruction of the temple, prophecy only remained with imbeciles and children. It’s extremely arrogant for someone to claim to know the reasons for God’s actions.

   When something bad happens, was it God’s will? Beats me. But I have faith in God that he will protect and defend klal yisrael as a whole, even though many individuals suffer along the way.

   Is this classical emunah? Probably not. But I hope and pray that my faith is deeper and sustaining, regardless of terrible events have transpired (and I pray they will cease).

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