Episode Details

In this episode of Sages of the Talmud, I’m joined by Morty Roth to explore the life of Rabbi Akiva, one of the most influential figures in Jewish history.

My goal in this conversation is not to retell a familiar story, but to extract the lessons that matter for real life. We explore what it means to begin without certainty, how to respond when years of effort are suddenly lost, and how to keep growing when starting over feels overwhelming. Rabbi Akiva’s life offers a powerful framework for perseverance, humility, and steady personal growth over time.

If you’re looking for practical insight on how to keep moving forward in your own spiritual or personal development, this episode is for you.

Join the Conversation!
Be part of our growing community—join the Shema Podcast for the Perplexed WhatsApp group to share feedback, discuss episodes, and suggest future topics. Click here to sign up.

Download the Sages of the Talmud Study Guide
Deepen your learning with the Sages of the Talmud companion study guide. This evergreen resource provides historical timelines, key sages, and a glossary of essential terms — designed to follow along with the entire series and revisit anytime. Free to download and always relevant. Click here to get your copy.