“And will give me bread to eat, and a garment to wear” (Genesis 28:20) – Akilas the proselyte entered to Rabbi Eliezer, he said to him: ‘Is this all the benefit of the proselyte, as it is stated: “And loves the stranger, to give him food and a garment”?’ (Deuteronomy 10:18). He said to him: ‘Is it insignificant in your eyes, the item regarding which this elder pondered, as it is stated: “And will give me bread to eat, and a garment to wear”?
But this proselyte comes and He extends it to him on a reed.’12With no effort on his part. He entered to Rabbi Yehoshua. [Variant reading: Akilas the proselyte came and asked Rabbi Eliezer, he said to him: ‘The fondness that the Holy One blessed be He was fond of the proselyte, as it is stated: “And loves the stranger, to give him food and a garment.” How many peacocks do I have, how many pheasants do I have?
I pay no attention even to my servants.’ He reprimanded him, and he went to Rabbi Yehoshua. His students said to him: ‘The item regarding which this elder pondered, you extend it to him on a reed? He came before Rabbi Yehoshua].
He began placating him with words: “Bread” – this is Torah, as it is written: “Come, partake of my bread” (Proverbs 9:5). “Garment” – this is a cloak. If a person merits Torah, he merits a cloak.13The cloak of a Torah scholar. Moreover, they marry their daughters into the priesthood, and their descendants were High Priests and would offer up burnt offerings upon the altar.
Another matter, “bread” – this is the showbread; “and a garment” – these are the priestly vestments. That was in the Temple, but in the outlying areas, “bread” – this is ḥalla, “and a garment” – these are the first shearing. They said: ‘Were it not for the forbearance that Rabbi Yehoshua demonstrated with Akilas the proselyte, he would have returned to his evil ways. He read in his regard: “One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty”’ (Proverbs 16:32).