40. And they were asking him THE LAW of footwear of Yibum (the levirate rite) - IF IT BECOMES DEFILED. As his soul left him, he announced, It is pure. Rabbi Akiva was not there WHEN HE DIED. As the day of Shabbat ended, Rabbi Akiva found him dead. As he ripped his clothes and tore his flesh, the blood started to roll over his beard. He wept and shouted as he stepped outside, and said, Heavens, O heavens, tell the sun and the moon that the light that shone more than they is darkened.