The Martyrdom of R. Akiva

When they took R. Akiva out to be executed, it was time for the recitation of the Shema‘. And they were raking his flesh with iron combs, and he was [reciting the Shema‘, thereby] accepting upon himself the yoke of heaven. His students said to him, “Our teacher, even now, [as you suffer, you recite the Shema‘]?” He said to them, “All my days I have been troubled by the verse: With all your soul (Deuteronomy 6:5), [meaning]: Even if God takes your soul. I said to myself, ‘When will the opportunity be afforded me to fulfill this verse?’ Now that it has been afforded me, shall I not fulfill it?” He prolonged [his uttering of the word] One (Deuteronomy 6:4) until his soul left [his body as he uttered his final word]: One. A voice descended [from heaven] and said, “Happy are you, R. Akiva, that your soul left [your body] as [you uttered], ‘One.’”

The ministering angels said before the Holy One, “This is Torah and this its reward?” [As it is stated,] From death, by Your hand, O Lord, from death [of the world (Psalm 17:14); Your hand, God, kills and does not save. God] said [the end of the verse to the ministering angels]: Whose portion is in this life (ibid.). [And then] a Divine Voice emerged and said, “Happy are you, R. Akiva, as you are destined for life in the World to Come, [as your portion is already in eternal life”].