When r. Eliezer fell ill, and the disciples came (despite the excommunication) to visit him. Seeing the teacher's suffering, they began to cry. One r. Akiba stood smiling happily.
-What are you happy about? - the comrades ask.
-What are you crying about? - R answers with a question. Akiba.
- How can we not cry at the sight of the sorrow in which the Torah is before us in the person of the sick r. Eliezer?
- For the same reason I am happy. Seeing until now that our teacher’s wine never turns sour, flax is not knocked out by hail, oil does not go bitter and honey does not ferment, I was worried by the thought whether his earthly well-being would not serve as a reward for him instead of bliss in the future life? Now, seeing him in such sorrow, I am calm for him.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru