Rabbi Nachum Ish Gamzu

'''Rebbe Nachum Ish Gamzu''' was a second generation Tana and a teacher of Rabbi Akiva who serviced him for 22 years. He was known to always say 'This to is for the best' (gam zu l'tova) even when faced with negative occurrences. Rabbi Nachum was sent as an emissary to Rome and had miracles performed for him. He decreed horrific suffering upon himself after a pauper died due to his failure to provide him with food fast enough.

Rabbi Nachum Ish Gamzu was sent as an emissary by the people of Israel to appease the Roman emperor, taking with him a chest of gemstones to be used as a bribe. On the way he was robed by his innkeeper who replaced all the gems with dirt in middle of the night. Upon reaching the Rome the chest was opened. Thinking the Jews were trying to mock him, the enraged Emperor wanted to kill Rebb Nachum who respond with his usual 'this too is for the best'. Eliyahu HaNavi entered the room appearing like a Roman minister and raised the possibility of the chest containing magical dirt, similar to the dirt of Avraham Avinue that would turn into arrows when thrown at his enemies. A test was made and the dirt was successfully used to defeat a country which had been impossible to conquer until that point. Rabbi Nachum Ish Gamzu was sent back home with great wealth and honor. When he reached the same inn and related the story, the innkeepers dug up their entire property and brought wagons filled with dirt before the Emperor, claiming it all came from the same place. When their dirt proved to be futile, they were executed as a punishment.