My comments below were a gut reaction. I have since learned that Akiva's martyrdom occurs in Berachot 61. As I know he is in Talmud much earlier. I think I may have been wrong in my approach. R. Nachman (A peerless master) called him "The Master of Faith." I always had a sort of "he is over-rated, he is to pragmatic." view of Akiva. However, his influence on the Chassids is all to the good. Perhaps he was somewhat easier to approach than Moshe who one hesitates to think we can comprehend. Regardless, were it not for Akiva so much would be lost.
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Babylonian Talmud, Menachot 29B
Rabbi Yehuda said in the name of Rav: When Moses went up on high, he found the Holy One sitting and tying crowns on the Holy letters [embellishing each letter with calligraphic marks.] He said to the Holy One: “Ruler of the Universe, who is holding back Your hand?” The Holy One answered: “There is a man who will appear at the end of several generations and Akiva the son of Joseph is his name and he will need these crowns, because from each and every thorn [calligraphic mark above the letter] he will derive scores and scores of laws.” He said to Him, “Ruler of the Universe, show this man to me.” The Holy One said, “Turn around!”
So, Moses went and sat in the back of Rabbi Akiva’s class, and had no idea what they were saying. He became weak and disoriented. Soon the class reached an issue and a student asked, “Rebbe, what’s your source for this ruling?” He said, “It’s a law of Moses from Sinai.” Moses was relieved.
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Well, I would note that it is the humble nature of Moshe and the gratification and comfort G*d gives him that make this story powerful. I would argue with anyone who claimed Akiva should be among the seven great ones (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Joseph and David). Akiva is renowned but definitely not comparable to Moshe. Over and over the Torah says "and H'' spoke to Moshe" Moshe's birth, life, and death frame the books after Bereshit. It is into Moshes that the greatness of the Avot flow and so with Israel as a nation.
I think that the whole of the law follows from the presence alone. I think that everything manifests of G*d's being, that his blessing is the alef-beth, that the Torah is so great that Angels and Miracles fill its pages, that justice pours from it lifting the mind and the soul. Reminding us that our noblest purpose is to respond and sanctify, to acknowledge his incomparable works, to fulfill our co-creative purpose and improve ourselves, our community, and our world.
