DY
“He said he waited his entire life for the ability to demonstrate “b’chol nafsh’cho””
Yes but he didint mean he wanted to be killed al kiddush Hashem, since he tried to avoid it. He meant if he couldnt avoid it he accepted it “Bchol nafsho”
Trying to avoid something is the textbook stirah to wanting something.
“because that is why he gave us our lives, and at the same time, to yearn to to demonstrate that fact by giving up our lives should that be what He asks of us.”
Not a stirah, as I said. (in fact I said that almost verbatim)
The sole question is should we hope He asks it of us. (This is the discussion. Not what would our reaction be IF R’l it were asked.)
I see no source that says WE should hope he asks it, I see several sources that say we dont. And I dont find the source that says R’ Akiva did convincing .
There is a difference (As you know) between:
“yearn to to demonstrate that fact by giving up our lives should that be what He asks of us.” which I agree with and
“We all should hope that we, … should be killed al kiddush Hashem” which I don’t