Rabbi Akiva is revered as one of the central sages of the Jewish people in the century following the destruction of The Temple in Jerusalem, nearly 2000 years ago. In the Talmud, he is referred to as Rosh LaChachamim, Chief of the Sages. He is known for other things in addition to his leadership in the community of scholars. It was Rabbi Akiva who explained that a great principal of the Torah was to, “love thy neighbor as thyself.” He is also considered to be the spiritual authority behind the rebellion of Bar Kochba against the Roman occupiers. The Bnei Akiva religious Zionist youth movement is named for Rabbi Akiva.

Rabbi Akiva has been an inspiration to me my entire life. I was a member, and later a leader, in Bnei Akiva of Chicago for over a decade before I moved to Israel. In recent years, another attribute of Rabbi Akiva’s life has intensified that inspiration.

At the age of 40, Akiva ben Yosef, was an illiterate shepherd for Kalba Savua, among the richest men in Jerusalem. When Kalba Savua’s daughter noticed his modesty and fine character traits, she offered to marry him if he would agree to begin studying Torah. After 24 years of study, he returned home at the head of 24,000 disciples. As I transitioned from “middle age” to “senior” status, this became more and more significant to me. Arguably, today’s 60 is Rabbi Akiva’s 40.