Tomb Mark of Rabbi Akiva, Tiberias
Rabbi Akiva was a poor shepherd attending Kalbasavua. Falling in love with his daughter, Rachel, she convinced him, at 40, to study and become a Jewish Scholar. Twenty-four years later, he had thousands of students, yet remained humble and grateful to his wife. Rabbi Akiva actively supported the second Jewish revolt against the Romans and labeled its commander, Shimon Bar-Kokhba, as Messiah. Eventually, he was martyred by the Romans in Caesarea, yet buried in Tiberias by local tradition. His wife, Rachel, is also said to be buried in Tiberias.
Touring the Tomb Mark of Rabbi Akiva in Tiberias
Rabbi Akiva’s tomb mark is in upper Tiberias, at the end of “Hagvura” street. The site is open for all, every day, free of charge. Next to Rabbi Akiva’s tomb mark is another tomb mark of Rabbi Moshe Hayyim Luzzatto (the Ramchal), a Rabbi and Kabbalist from the 18th century.
A tour of Rabbi Akiva and the Ramchal Tomb Marks can be combined with a tour of Tiberias and a guided day tour of the Galilee.