How would you feel if you spent your entire life working on an important project only to have it torn away in a flash? Rebbe Akiva put all his energies into building 24,000 talmidim, investing into their learning and overall growth in preparation for them to lead klal Yisrael, carrying on the torch of Torah to the next generation. Yet, sadly, in a split second, his student perished by plague before his very eyes.
How do you think Rebbe Akiva felt considering, that according to some, he had not begun to educate his underlings until the age of 80 when he was already an elderly man? Surely, the saintly scholar had felt despair with an underlying urge to abandon hope after bearing such awful devastation as he saw his life's work implode, vanishing in a poof!
Conversely, Rebbe Akiva rose with a zeal to push ahead at his mission saying, "I will develop new intellectuals tasked with passing on the mantle of Torah to tomorrow's youth." True to his word, Rebbe Akiva sought out five fresh minds, passionately teaching the men Torah thought at the highest of levels. This perseverance and commitment is the basis for the bulk of today's Torah. Rebbe Akiva refused to relinquish hope, creating a crucial generational lesson relevant in today's modern society. Despite a life goal evaporating, especially when everything points in the direction of absolute ruin and throwing in the towel seems the best bet, take a page from Rebbe Akiva's book and try the contrary by advancing on the dreams once yearned.
Oftentimes, in life we take on spiritual goals, for example joining a Torah class. Yet, without warning our passion may fizzle. Similarly, one may opt to Pray with more concentration, but as the week concludes we find ourselves back at square one. At such a turning point one should dig deeper thinking, "I am not going to give up and fall into a sorrowful state because my plans fell through." Instead fill your mind with optimism and drive believing, "I will take a leap and conquer my obstacle." If it is a learning commitment, renewed devotion to prayer, or increasing acts of kindness, one can triumph. B'ezrat Hashem, with a commitment like Rebbe Akiva we will desire to see our goals completed and sore in spiritual accomplishments never even giving ourselves the option to lose all hope.
Rabbi Yaakov Moskowitz is a motivational speaker who has inspired Jews around the world through his engaging lectures and videos on a wide array of practical Jewish topics. To receive Rabbi Moskowitz’s short clips, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Never Give Up
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