The Unrecognizable Development in the Law1
Moses Meets Rabbi Akiba
(from the Babylonian Talmud [Menahot 29b])
WHEN MOSES REACHED HEAVEN, he beheld the Law written in black fire upon skins of white fire, and he also beheld the Lord seated upon the Throne of Glory and occupied in adding and ornamenting the letters of the Torah with crowns.
He asked, “Why are you now adding these crown-like ornamentations to the letters?”
Whereto the Lord replied, “In days to come there will be born a man named Rabbi Akiba, a scholar in Israel, full of knowledge and wisdom, to whom the secret of these dots and ornamentations will be revealed. He will interpret them, basing upon their interpretations numerous laws and injunctions.”
“If it is your will,” said Moses, “may I be permitted to behold this wise man?”
“Look behind you,” said the Lord.
Moses did as he was bidden, and lo, he saw a house full of students, sitting at the feet of a master who was explaining to them the secrets and mysteries of the Torah. Moses heard their discussions, but could not follow them and was greatly grieved. Thereupon he heard the disciples asking their master, “Whence do you know this?” and Rabbi Akiba replied, “What I have told you has already been explained to Moses the son of Amram, on Mount Sinai.”
When Moses heard these words, he was content.
In his modesty, however, the Prophet turned to God, saying, “Lord of the Universe! You will one day create a man like Rabbi Akiba who will excel me in knowledge and wisdom; why do you not give the Torah to Israel through him instead of me?”
But the Lord replied, “Such is my decree.”
Endnotes
1 Babylonian Talmud Menahot 29b quoted in http://www.acs.ucalgary.ca/~elsegal/JewishRituals/_BasicConcepts.htm apparently a modified translation of Eli Cashdan (London:Soncinno, 1948). ⇑
