Akiba established an Academy at Bene Barak. There was a wonderful fascination about the man that attracted hundreds of students to him--tradition says thousands. That was in part due to the enthusiasm of his _faith_. An instance of his faith is illustrated in his visit to Rome, with some of his colleagues, to intercede on behalf of his people. They burst into tears at beholding Rome's splendor, mentally contrasting it with Jerusalem's desolation. He met their tears with a hopeful smile: "The present ruined condition of our beloved land foretold by the Prophets, only assures me of the fulfilment of their brighter prophecies of our ultimate triumph." Alas, even faith may have its drawbacks! Akiba's deep conviction that the restoration of Judea's independence was at hand, to be effected by the advent of the Messiah, induced him to encourage the revolt that was quietly but steadily spreading among his disaffected brethren. Hadrian, little understanding the spirit of this people, reported to the Senate after making a circuit through the Roman provinces, that all was peace. He was both foolish and cruel enough to display his absolute power and Israel's complete subjection, not only by altogether withdrawing permission to rebuild the Jewish Temple, but by ordering a heathen shrine to be reared on its site, thus completely to paganize Jerusalem. This was the last straw. The aged Rabbi Joshua went to implore the emperor to desist from this wanton project, but in vain. It was one of the last acts of the Patriarch's life. When he died it was said good counsel ceased in Israel. Like Antiochus of old, Hadrian wished to obliterate Judaism--and Christianity, too, for that matter,--and make the idolatrous worship of Serapis universal. NOTES AND REFERENCES. _Masora_ is the technical term for the notes on the traditional Scripture text by the Fathers of the Synagogue. The original text has been thus preserved intact in these scrupulous and reverent hands. See article, "Masora," Isidore Harris, _Jewish Quarterly Review_, Vol. i. _Akiba_: The blessing that charity brings to the giver was a favorite idea of Akiba--a _Mitzvah_! Simon b. Shetach was called the "Restorer of the Law"; Hillel the "Regenerator of the Law"; Akiba the "Father of Rabbinic Judaism." In deciding the Canon of Scripture (p. 22), Akiba's influence kept _Song of Songs_ and _Esther_ in the Bible, but unfortunately kept _Ecclesiasticus_ out of it. _Theme for discussion_: Should Akiba's method of law deduction be called casuistic? CHAPTER XXIX. LAST STRUGGLE FOR LIBERTY. Bar Cochba.