Akiva Ben Yosef

(ca. 50 - OK. 132)
Born in Lydda in Palestine (now Lod, Israel). As a young man was a shepherd, aged 40 years enrolled in the Academy Eliezer Ben Hirkan in Lydda. Teachers were also Akiva Joshua ben Hananiah, and Nahum of Giemsa. Akiva, who called the father of Rabbinic Judaism, has become the teacher of his time, and many of his students became prominent sages (among them Meir and Shimon ben Yohai). Akiva supported Bar-Kochba revolt against Rome. He violated the edicts of Hadrian forbade the execution of the laws of Judaism and their study, for which he was thrown into prison, and was martyred c.. 132. Akiva - one of the ten martyrs mentioned in the Jewish penitential prayer.

Rabbi Akiva was a great interpreter of systematists and Halacha (rabbinical law). Akiva is also known for his philosophical reflections. Thus, the legend Tanna said that of the four that are included in 'Pardes' (ie. the scope of philosophical speculation), only Rabbi Akiva returned unharmed. Among the sayings of revealing his religious philosophy, the following: "Everything is predetermined, but each person is given freedom (the will) ',' loved by a man, because made in the image, as has been said (in Scripture): 'the image of God He made man."