tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526791019741945652.post3314515935155810381..comments2023-06-19T09:00:10.503-05:00Comments on Chabad Jewish Learning Institute: Review of Lesson Four (Portraits in Leadership)Rabbi Shmuly Alteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12546789464883033246noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526791019741945652.post-69913545257486965702010-02-25T11:56:24.440-06:002010-02-25T11:56:24.440-06:00Now, I get a glimspe in class of the kind of narsi...Now, I get a glimspe in class of the kind of narsike (sp) that Moses had to put up with in the desert... Oi Vay (said in Jackie Mason voice).<br /><br />Your teaching on Rabbi Akiva. His spouse sent him to study the Torah for 12 years. Once he was more studied his family became wealthy regardless of their background. Some students were concerned about 12 years of study away from his family. Not to be socio-centeric, in ancient times absence from family for extended periods of time was not unusual. <br /><br />The Roman example is: "The Making of he Roman Army From Republic to Empire" by Dr. Lawrence Keppie, Barnes Noble 1994, page p173 states, I quote: The Roman army of the Empire was a professional force of legionaries, auxiliaries and fleet personel who enlisted for extended periods and who regarded the army as a lifetime's occupation. Enlistment was not 'for the duration' of a particular war, but for 25 years (26 in the navy), and men were sometimes retained even longer." p173<br /><br />Josephus the Jewish historian, wrote "If one looks at the Roman military system, one will recognise that the possession of a large empire has come into their hands as the prize of their valor, not as a gift of fortune. For this people does not wait for the outbreak of war to practice with weapons nor do they sit idle in peacetime...rather they seem to have been born with weapons in their hands." IBID, Jacket cover.<br /><br />Personally, I have not seen any Romans around but there appear to be some Jews who Torah Study.<br /><br />Another source: "HADRIAN'S WALL in the days of the Romans" by Ronald Embleton and Frank Graham, Wren's Park Publishing 1984 page 22<br /><br />"Auxiliaries served for 25 years" page 22 "When an Auxiliary was released at the end of his service, he was presented with a bronze diploma giving the details of his service and granting him Roman citizenship." page 23, IBID<br /><br />Some bronze fragments of this dipolma are found but sadly no Roman citizens. I digress. <br /><br />Rabbi Akiva appeared with 24,000 disciples or about four legions in Roman terms. A force to be reckoned with, however, they all died in a plague. Rabbi Akiva remained true to his Faith and the Torah.<br /><br />I enjoyed the lesson about Rabbi Akiva because his study of the Torah endured and his oppressors did not, even though, the Roman's appearred to have all the power, and clearly they did not.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com