It is related that before many days passed Rabbi Akiba was seized and put into prison. Pappos likewise was seized and put next to Rabbi Akiba, who said unto him: ‘O Pappos, why wast thou brought here?’ He replied: ‘Happy art thou, Akiba, that thou wast seized because of the words of the Torah; woe unto Pappos who was seized because of vain things.’ Rabbi Akiba was led forth to be put to death at the time for reading the Shema’. While they tore his flesh with iron combs, he took upon himself the yoke of the kingdom of heaven. His pupils asked: ‘O master, thus far?’ He replied: ‘All my life have I been distressed about this verse: “With all thy soul”[20] (even if He takes away thy soul); I used to say: When shall I have the opportunity to fulfil it? Shall I not fulfil it now that the opportunity is come?’ He prolonged the word _One_, so that his soul departed while he uttered the word _One_. A heavenly voice came forth, and said: ‘Happy art thou, Rabbi Akiba, because thy soul departed at the word _One_.’ The ministering angels said unto the Holy One, blessed be He: ‘Is this the Torah, and this the reward thereof? _Is Thy hand governed by men, O Lord?_’[21] He replied unto them: ‘_Their portion is in eternal life._’[22] A heavenly voice came forth, and said: ‘Happy art thou, Rabbi Akiba; thou art ready for the life of the world to come.’ 2. A Controversy on the Merits of Charity[23] Turnus Rufus[24] asked Rabbi Akiba: ‘If your God loves the poor, why does he not sustain them?’ He replied: ‘That we may be delivered from the punishment of Gehenna.’ Turnus Rufus said: ‘That would condemn you to Gehenna. I shall give thee a parable. A king of flesh and blood is wroth against his servant, casts him into a dungeon, and decrees that none shall give him food or drink. A man, however, comes, and gives him food and drink. When the king hears of it, will he not be angry with him? Ye are called servants, as it is written: “For unto Me the children of Israel are servants.”’[25] Rabbi Akiba replied: ‘This is not so; let me give thee a parable. A king of flesh and blood is wroth against his son, casts him into a dungeon, and commands that none shall give him food or drink. A man, however, comes and gives him food and drink. When the king hears of it, will he not send him gifts? We are called children, as it is written: “Ye are the children of the Lord your God.”’[26] But Turnus Rufus said unto him: ‘Ye are called children, and ye are likewise called servants: when ye do God’s will, ye are called children; but when ye do not God’s will, ye are called servants. At present, however, ye are not doing God’s will.’ Rabbi Akiba replied: ‘Nevertheless it is written: “Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house?”[27] Now to which time do the words _bring the poor that are cast out to thy house_ apply? Certainly to the present time, and yet it is written: “Is it not