Akiva son of Joseph (50–135 C.E.). One of the
leading figures of Rabbinic Judaism in the decades after the destruction of the
Second Temple. In some ways, “Judaism” could just as easily be named
“Akivaism.” He was largely responsible for the traditions recorded in the
Mishnah. He was also believed to engage in mystical practices. He maintained
that the most important principle in the Torah was to show love to your
neighbor, although he simultaneously held that study was greater than deeds. He
promoted the Rabbinic doctrine that the entire Torah was given by God at Mount
Sinai. Akiva was flayed to death by the Romans toward the end of the Bar Kochva
Revolt.
Courtesy: Professor Shai Cherry
