The Ten Martyrs
The Ten Martyrs were ten Tannaim (Mishnaic sages) who were killed for the sanctification of G-d's name by the government. It is traditionally accepted that the reason for this was because they were equivalent in their generation to the ten tribes who sold Joseph the Righteous, and therefore they were killed. Among these Tannaim were Rabbi Yishmael the High Priest, Rabbi Akiva ben Yosef, Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel, Rabbi Chanina ben Teradion, Rabbi Elazar ben Shamua, Rabbi Yeshevav the Scribe, Rabbi Chutzpit the Interpreter, and according to some opinions, also Rabbi Chanina the Deputy High Priest.
The Well-being of the Government[edit | edit source]
In Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers), the saying is brought: "Pray for the well-being of the government, for without fear of it, people would swallow each other alive."
The need to ensure the "well-being of the government" as a prerequisite for proper Torah study is emphasized when the authors of the sayings in our Mishnah are "Rabbi Chanina the Deputy High Priest" and Rabbi Chanina ben Teradion:
These two Tannaim are among the "Ten Martyrs": Rabbi Chanina ben Teradion - according to all opinions, and Rabbi Chanina the Deputy High Priest - according to one opinion. That is, both suffered from the "government" which treated them with terrible cruelty unmatched in all of Jewish history, which is why the matter of the "Ten Martyrs" is an event that is especially emphasized in all generations. Despite all this, the importance of the "well-being of the government" as a prerequisite and preparation for proper Torah study is evident in the words of these Tannaim, for without fear of it, people would swallow each other alive.
When the fear of government is removed, a situation arises where people swallow each other alive, there is no order or discipline, and each person does what is right in their own eyes. In such a situation, it is impossible to study Torah with settled mind, because of the fear of not knowing what might happen the next moment.
However, when there is fear of government, then the country is conducted with order and discipline, and even when the government itself behaves in an undesirable manner to the most severe extent of the "Ten Martyrs," this too is done with order, etc., a decree from the government Above, and as a result - a decree from the government below, and it is not in a manner where each person does what is right in their own eyes. Since this is the case, it negates the fear of "people swallowing each other alive," which could potentially happen at every step.
The Elevation Through Death for the Sanctification of G-d's Name[edit | edit source]
The matter of self-sacrifice for the sanctification of G-d's name is even more elevated than teaching the masses.
We find this concept, among other places, in the matter of Nefilat Apayim (falling on one's face during prayer), where through the merit of the Ten Martyrs, an elevation of Mayin Nukvin (feminine waters) is made to fulfill the requests in the prayers of all Israel. And even though one of the Ten Martyrs is Rabbi Akiva, whose greatness was exceptional, to the extent that we find he is compared to the Holy One, Blessed be He - nevertheless, this was accomplished not because of Rabbi Akiva's special qualities, but because of the virtue of self-sacrifice specifically.