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News Background
Who is Akiva?
Adapted from Rabbi Berel Wein
Rabbi Akiva is one of the most beloved figures in Jewish history. The Talmud states: “Akiva ben Yosef is famous from one end of the world to the other!”
Rabbi Akiva’s reputation did not only journey from one end of the world to the other; it has also journeyed for almost two millennium in the Jewish heart and soul. Rabbi Akiva later suffered a martyr’s death after the failed Bar Kochba’s rebellion against the Romans in 140.
Originally a struggling outsider, Akiva had no family lineage or privileged ancestry. Descended from converts to Judaism, he was an ignoramus who hated scholars and worked as a simple shepherd for the first forty years of his life. Once he noted water droplets slowly eroding a stone in the field. He saw it as a lesson that the persistent words of Torah study can melt even a heart of stone.
In a dramatic story of love and devotion, his wife Rachel, who married him against her wealthy father’s wishes, convinced him to go study Torah. Giving up the rich comforts of her maiden Kalbah Savuah residence, she and Akiva lived in dire poverty, sleeping on straw. Rabbi Akiva later crowned his wife Rachel with a “Jerusalem of Gold” tiara to express his gratitude. He told his students: “All that I have, and that you have, is hers!”
Rabbi Akiva taught Torah to very many students. Tragically, 24,000 of his students died during the Sefira period between the holidays of Pesach and Shavuot, their lack of mutual love and respect triggered the plague. This tragic event is the source of the mourning period during this time when no wedding celebrations are held.
Rabbi Akiva restarted his Yeshiva again with only five students, who later became the greatest sages, transmitting the tradition from their time until today. Rabbi Akiva’s resilience in continuing to disseminate Torah after such a devastating tragedy speaks volumes about his character and greatness.
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Sinus Strikes Big Yeshiva
Bnai Brak, Iyar 17 (Special to TTT)– Thousands of Yeshiva students have succumbed to a severe epidemic that hit all divisions of the Akiva Talmudic Academy.
Unless the situation improves by tomorrow, it will be 33 days since the tragedy began.
Among the world’s most advanced Torah schools, ATA has grown to 24,000 students in less than 25 years.
A statement by the Yeshiva dean reads: "Love your fellow as yourself: this is the basis of the whole Torah.
Medical Alert
Medical experts are warning: “This isn’t your regular sinus of mucus in the ear, nose and throat cavities that can be treated with cough medicine. These students are suffering from an acute and highly dangerous and destructive “Sinus Chinam” strain infection.
Rather than a physical respiratory ailment, Sinus C. is a serious spiritual disorder that causes enmity and ill feeling. There are virtually no physical symptoms, but it can lead to askera complications and eventually to death, G-d forbid.”
The death toll keeps mounting each day. All wedding celebrations and musical events have been canceled due to the tragedy.
Problems in Human Emotions
Dear A.,
This real nice guy who works for my Dad is shy and sheepish. He never went to Hebrew school, but is definitely educable if given the opportunity. He certainly has my permission to grow and learn, more and more.
Dad’s the problem. Prominent in the uppity circles, Dad thinks I can do better. He is adamantly opposed to us getting married and warns that he’ll throw me out of the house. What should I do?
Rachel S. Jerusalem
Dear Rachel,
Your support and encouragement will make him go far, and eventually, Dad will come around.
Dear Sir:
I come from a very prominent Yerushalmi family with great yichus. My daughter eloped with an illiterate “farbissener am haaretz,” an ignoramus who once worked for me. My daughter’s grasping at straws!
Now the bum left her. My daughter is all alone, a living widow.
She desperately needs assistance, but I have promised I’d never help her. Would you know of a Rabbinic heter for my situation?
Kalbah S.
Dear Kalbah,
Now that you’re actually facing your problem, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to discover how it’s all changed.
Dear Rabbi A.
Our family and community have always followed the traditional Nusach Myway in all of our prayers and customs. But now that I am learning at a big Yeshiva, I have unfortunately discovered that some students rebel and follow their so-called Nusach Otherway.
Why must these reshaim go against the established minhag? Their strange ways and aberrations from the authoritative Nusach Myway are repulsive.
Shouldn’t we all follow Myway for the sake of achdus and unity in Klal Yisroel?
L. Noahgu
Dear Lo Noahgu,
The lack of mutual respect in our institutions is a matter of life and death. We must learn to appreciate and respect other viewpoints within the Torah spectrum, they all are the living expressions of G-d.
Something to Sleep On
by Rachel A.
It’s that time of the year when brides are out shopping to furnish their new homes. It all depends on how much they can afford for luxuries, but brides dream of the most exquisite canopy beds, embroidered satin, down comforters, sham pillows with elegant drapery and lace curtains.
Personally, I grew up amid fancy fashion and finery. One of Dad’s friends was so wealthy, he wouldn't walk on the sidewalk unless it was carpeted! They’d roll out the red carpet for B. Z. Hakeses wherever he went, and they then donated it all to charity.
Dad wanted the very best for his little girl. He expected to match me up with a distinguished young man of his choosing and set me up in a dream house.
But alas, I disappointed Dad. Turned off by all the pomp and circumstance, I found that upper society is false and vain.
Fortunately, my fiancé and I share simple tastes, an appreciation of hard work, and sensitivity to the needs of the less fortunate. Yes, some are poorer than us.
Those rich fancy beds are comfortable, but there's much more to life than just sleeping. Designer labels are just an outer trimming. The main thing in marriage is mutual love and respect, and an understanding husband who’s willing to learn.
We’re presently poor, but at least our marriage is stable.
For my bedroom set, I chose a bottom-of-the-line mattress with a straw pattern. Hay! It sometimes gives us a bad hair day, but we help each other. The natural design allows us to share the little we have with those less fortunate. (Just try to cut up and share a big firm top-of-the-line bed.)
Soft, flexible and versatile. It can easily be redesigned.
Dear Editor,
Does the Yeshiva world push women into a corner like this?
Mrs. R. A.
Dear R.
Unfortunately some don’t appreciate the selfless work of our devoted mothers and wives. You certainly are the cornerstone of our lives and deserve all the credit. Ours and theirs is really yours!