Rabbi Akiba Throws the Emperor's Medicine into a Pigsty

Midrash Aggadah Exempla of the Rabbis, No. 13

Curated by The Jewish Mythology Team · Published January 6, 2025

The Emperor asks R. Akiba:—“Why is it said, God gives wisdom to the wise and not to the fool ?" R. Akiba simulates illness; the Emperor sends medicine worth a iooo denars.

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R. Akiba throws it into the pig-sty. The Emperor is very much annoyed, and R, Akiba shows that only the wise can appreciate wisdom.

Themes

Wisdom Kings Rome Healing

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