Once Rabbi Akiva was sent to Rome with a delegation of five
rabbis. At the high of its power Rome
was impressive. They saw baths, artwork,
circuses, museums, statues, palaces and military outposts. The Roman hosts asked, “Akiva are you
impressed?”
“No.”
They were shocked.
Akiva then explained: “When we were walking in the square
there was a statue of the emperor. Then
it began to rain. The slaves on duty
guarding the statue took velvet robes and covered the statue so that it would
not get wet. I am not impressed with a
city where statues wear robes and human beings wear rags."
Such is our mandate, to "Feed the poor and clothe the naked." -Micah
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