sh'ma

...Even if He takes your soul When the Romans took Rabbi Akiva to be executed, it was time to recite the morning "Sh'ma" (declaration of our total embrace of G-d's unity, from Deuteronomy 6 - Hear O Israel, the L-rd is our G-d, the L-rd is One! And you shall love the L-rd your G-d with all your heart, and all your soul and all your might...) The Romans began to flay his skin with iron combs as he was reciting the "Sh'ma" and taking upon himself the yoke of Heaven. His disciples said to him, "Ou