Rabban Gamaliel, R. Eliezer son of Azariah, R Joshua and R. Akiba were journeying together across the country. They heard a great noise in the Emperor's palace in Rome, although they were stil1 120 Sabbath leagues (tehum) away from it. Three of the rabbis began to weep, while R. Akiba began to laugh. They turned to R. Akiba and said: "Why do you laugh?"

And he replied: "Why do you weep?"

Then the three said: "behold, these heathens are worshiping idols and yet they are living in peace and comfort, whilst we Jews have seen our sanctuary burned and we are lying under the heel of the heathen. Is there not reason for us to weep?"

Then R. Akiba said: "For the very same reason do I laugh and rejoice, for I say to myself, If God is showing so much mercy to these people, how much more will He show unto us! This is why I laughed."