Rabbi Akiva

Sage of the Talmud

Holtz Barry W.

A compelling and lucid account of the life and teachings of a founder of rabbinic Judaism and one of the most beloved heroes of Jewish history.

Born in the Land of Israel around the year 50 C.E., Rabbi Akiva was the greatest rabbi of his time and one of the most important influences on Judaism as we know it today. Traditional sources tell how he was raised in poverty and unschooled in religious tradition but began to learn the Torah as an adult. In the aftermath of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 C.E., he helped shape a new direction for Judaism through his brilliance and his character. Mystic, legalist, theologian, and interpreter, he disputed with his colleagues in dramatic fashion yet was admired and beloved by his peers. Executed by Roman authorities for his insistence on teaching Torah in public, he became the exemplar of Jewish martyrdom.

Drawing on the latest historical and literary scholarship, this book goes beyond older biographies, untangling a complex assortment of ancient sources to present a clear and nuanced portrait of Talmudic hero Rabbi Akiva.

About the Author

Barry W. Holtz is Theodore and Florence Baumritter Professor of Jewish Education at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. He is author of five previous books and the recipient of a National Jewish Book Award. He lives in New York City.

Reviews

"Here is Rabbi Akiva as most readers have never seen him before: in the context of his time and through the lens of contemporary scholarship. More than a standard biography of a Talmudic sage, this is a story about how a new generation of scholars understands Judaism's ancient rabbinic texts" – Jonathan D. Sarna, University Professor, Brandeis University

"Barry Holtz is ever the master educator and storyteller. He has poured 'new wine into old bottles', and performed the difficult task of providing an original and insightful understanding of the incomparable Rabbi Akiva" – David Ellenson, Director, Schusterman Center for Israel Studies, Brandeis University

"Original... takes the best of contemporary scholarship into account" – Jeffrey Rubenstein, author of "Talmudic Stories: Narrative Art, Composition, and Culture"

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