What did Rabbi Akiva think of Bar Kokhba?

The jerusalem Talmud records that Rabbi Akiva considered the leader of the revolt to be the awaited Messiah. read more

Rabbi Akiva considered him the Messiah. However, this is problematic, as it is well known that the Messiah must be descended from the House of King David and Bar Kokhba was considered by Rashi to be a descendent of Herod. That is that he has Arabic (Idumeian) descendancy, not Davidic. read more

The Jewish sage Rabbi Akiva indulged the possibility that Simon could be the Jewish messiah, and gave him the surname "Bar Kokhba" meaning "Son of the Star" in Aramaic, from the Star Prophecy verse from Numbers 24:17: "There shall come a star out of Jacob". read more

Rabbi Akiva supported the failed rebellion of Bar Kochba against Roman rule. He saw Bar Kochba messianic potential and opportunity. Bar Kochba ― who was a man of tremendous leadership abilities ― managed to unite the entire Jewish people around him. read more