10 Questions
What did Hadrian do to the Jews?
ban them from keeping the Torah.
How many Rabbis did Hadrian kill?
10
How are they known in Hebrew?
Asara harugei malchut
When do we recount this tradgedy?
Tisha b'av and Yom Kippur
How would the murder of these great Rabbis effect the state of the Jewish people?
They would feel even more down without guidance.
What was Hadrian's exscuse why he killed the Rabbis?
To punish the Jews for the 10 brothers selling Joseph as a slave.
What did the Romans do to Rabbi Yishmael?
They peeled the skin of his face
How did they murder Rabbi Akiva?
With iron combs.
What was the last thing he said?
The shema.
How did they torture Rabbi Chananya?
They burnt him alive and wrapped damp wool on his chest to prolong his agony.
Study Notes
Hadrian's Persecution of the Jews
- Hadrian's brutal persecution of the Jews led to the execution of many prominent Rabbis
- During his reign, Hadrian killed 10 Rabbis, known as the "Ten Martyrs" in Hebrew
- The tragedy is recounted on the 9th of Av, a day of mourning in the Jewish calendar
The Murder of the Rabbis
- Hadrian's excuse for killing the Rabbis was that they were promoting Jewish nationalism and rebellion against Roman rule
- Rabbi Yishmael was skinned alive by the Romans
- Rabbi Akiva was brutally tortured by having his skin ripped off with iron combs, and his last words were "The Lord is One"
Torture and Execution
- Rabbi Chananya was wrapped in a Torah scroll and set on fire, a slow and agonizing death
Learn about the brutal persecution of Jews by Hadrian, including the execution of prominent Rabbis and its significance in the Jewish calendar. Discover the Roman Emperor's motives behind the killings and the tragic fate of the Rabbis.
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