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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.’