Rabbi Hutzpit the Interpreter
Rabbi Hutzpit the Interpreter, one of the Ten Martyrs, was a venerable sage executed at the age of 130. He bravely challenged the Roman Emperor, upholding his faith even in the face of death.
Rabbi Hutzpit the Interpreter was one hundred and thirty years old when he was led out for execution. He was beautiful in form and appearance, possessing a majestic countenance, resembling an angel of the Lord of Hosts.
They came and reported to the king about his beauty and the majesty of his old age, saying to him: “By your life, my lord, have mercy on this old man.” The emperor asked Rabbi Hutzpit: “How old are you?” He replied: “One hundred and thirty years minus one day, and I earnestly request that you wait for me until my days are complete.”
The emperor said to him: “What difference does it make to you if you die today or tomorrow?” He replied: “I wish to fulfill two more commandments: one, to recite the Shema in the morning and evening, and two, to crown over myself the great, awesome, and unique Name.”
The emperor said to him: “Stubborn and audacious, how long will you trust in your God? For my ancestors destroyed His house, and cast the corpses of His servants around Jerusalem, with no one to bury them?” When Rabbi Hutzpit heard such blasphemous words, he wept bitterly and seized his garments, tearing them over the desecration of the blessed Name of God.
He said to the emperor: “What will you do on the last day, when the Lord visits judgment upon Rome and upon your idols?” The king said to his ministers: “How long shall I argue with this old man!” Immediately, he commanded to kill him, and they stoned him and hanged him.
His ministers and sages came and pleaded with the king to agree to bury him, for they pitied his old age. The king agreed to bury him, and his disciples came and buried him and eulogized him with a great and very solemn eulogy.