instrument was theirs, through which the world was created, as it is
said, 'For I give you good doctrine; forsake ye not my _Torah_' (55).
19. Everything is foreseen, yet free will is given (56); and the world
is judged by grace, yet all is according to the amount of the work"
(57). 20. He used to say, "Everything is given on pledge (58), and a
net is spread for all living (59); the shop is open (60); the dealer
gives credit; the ledger lies open; the hand writes; and whosoever
wishes to borrow may come and borrow; but the collectors regularly
make their daily round, and exact payment from man whether he be
content or not (61); and they have that whereon they can rely in their
demand; and the judgment is a judgment of truth (62); and everything
is prepared for the feast" (63).

(47) Akiba ben Joseph (born about 50 C.E., died about 132) was
the greatest of the _Tannaim_ (teachers mentioned in the
_Mishnah_). He was a "proselyte of righteousness" (_ger
tzedek_). Until middle age, he remained illiterate and averse
to study, but was spurred on to become learned in the _Torah_
by the daughter of the rich Kalba Shabua, whom he subsequently
married. He was the pupil of R. Eliezer ben Hyrcanos, R.
Jochanan ben Chanania, and Nahum of Gimzo. He espoused the
cause of Bar Kochba, acknowledging him as the Messiah, and is
said to have travelled throughout the land stirring up
opposition to Rome. At the fall of Betar, he was captured by
the Romans, and most cruelly put to death, expiring with the
_Shema_ upon his lips. R. Akiba definitely fixed the canon of
the Old Testament. He compiled and systematized the
traditional law, in this respect being the forerunner of R.
Judah ha-Nasi (see chapter II, n. 1), whose _Mishnah_ may be
considered as being derived from that of the school of Akiba.