Prepare for Yom Kippur by exploring the story of Rabbi Akiva, the greatest figure of the early rabbinic period. Rabbi Akiva died a martyr's death at the hands of the Romans in the early years of the second century of the Common Era. His death--with the Shema on his lips--became the model for martyrs throughout Jewish history, and his story is even included in poetic form in the traditional liturgy for Yom Kippur.

We will look at the early sources that tell of Akiva's death and explore the enduring underlying themes of his biography as they are expressed in the last moments of his life. Copies of Dr. Holtz's recently published Rabbi Akiva: Sage of the Talmud will be available for purchase and signing. 

For more information and to RSVP, please click here.