"Joy, joy, to thee, that thou art imprisoned for studying God's law; but
woe, woe is mine that I am here through vanity."
When Rabbi Akiba was led forth to execution, it was just at the time of
the morning service.
"'Hear, O Israel! the Lord our God, the Lord is one,'" he exclaimed in a
loud and firm voice.
The torturers tore his flesh with pointed cards, yet still he repeated,
"The Lord is one."
"Always did I say," he continued, "that 'with all thy soul,' meant even
though life should be demanded of thee, and I wondered whether I should
ever be able to so observe it. Now see, to-day, I do so; 'the Lord is
one.'"
With these word he died.
* * * * *
Elishah ben Abuyah, a most learned man, became in after-life an
apostate. Rabbi Meir had been one of his pupils, and he never failed in
the great love which he bore for his teacher.
It happened upon one occasion when Rabbi Meir was lecturing in the
college, that some students entered and said to him:--
"Thy teacher, Elishah, is riding by on horseback on this holy Sabbath
day."
Rabbi Meir left the college, and overtaking Elishah walked along by his
horse's side.