שמע ישראל ד' אלקינו ד' אחד
When the Romans led Rabbi Akiva to his execution (for teaching Torah), it was his time to recite Krias Shema. They subjected him to inhumane torture by scraping off his skin with metal combs. Meanwhile, he was engaged in Kabbolas Ol Malchus Shomayim, accepting upon himself the yoke of the Heavenly Kingdom. His students watched in horror as their revered, saintly Rebbe calmly focused on the spiritual sphere, while ignoring his physical pain. His students asked, “Must one go so far?” (Is it necessary to suffer so much in showing one’s devotion to Hashem? How far should mesiras nefesh, self-sacrifice…