Tomb of Rabbi Akiva

If you are looking for sites during your travel in Israel that will enhance your overall experience, consider making the Tomb of Rabbi Akiva one of your stops. Beginning as a poor, uneducated shepherd, he became a wealthy man and a great sage with over 24,000 students. He also shared a wonderful love story with his wife, Rachel, who married him against her father's wishes because of Akiva's lack of wealth. Rachel supported Akiva in his studies and remained dedicated to him to the end. Rabbi Akiva was later put to death by the Romans because of his support for Bar Kokhba, the 2^nd century CE rebel leader. Tradition states that Akiva's body was miraculously transported back to Tiberias for burial with his students who had died in a plague. Located on the mountain, his tomb looks out over the Kinneret and Tiberias. Rabbi Akiva's tomb actually became a traditional and special place to pray for rain during drought years. This site has been recognized to be an exceptionally sacred Jewish Israel tour destination because Rabbi Isaac Luria (the Ari) visited Rabbi Akiva's tomb.