Akiva ben Joseph, << ah KEE vah behn JOH zuhf >> (A.D. 50?-135?), was a rabbi who profoundly influenced the development of Jewish law. His name is also spelled Akiba. He emphasized the importance for every Jew of studying the Torah, the first five books of the Bible. Akiva believed that each word and letter of the Bible was significant. He sought lessons from the spelling itself as well as from the wording of the text. He collected and explained legal traditions along with interpretations of the Bible. This work became the basis of the Mishnah, the fundamental code of Jewish law. Akiva was known for his modesty, optimism, concern for the poor, and love of Israel. He is the subject of many stories in Jewish literature.
Akiva was born in Judea in central Palestine. After the Roman rulers of Judea issued decrees forbidding the practice of Judaism, Akiva went to Rome on behalf of the Jewish community. However, the Romans did not relent. In 132, the Jews revolted under the leadership of the warrior Bar Kokhba. The Romans crushed the revolt in 135. They arrested Akiva and executed him for practicing his religion.
