Questions tagged [bar-kochba]

Bar Kochva led a failed revolt against the Romans in circa 132–136 CE.

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3 answers
433 views

Was Bar Kochba a King?

The Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 11:8) says the following: ואם יעמוד מלך מבית דויד הוגה בתורה ועוסק במצוות כדויד אביו, כפי תורה שבכתב ושבעל פה, ויכוף כל ישראל לילך בה ולחזק בדקה, ויילחם מלחמות ה'--הרי ...
1 vote
0 answers
84 views

Did the Talmidim of Rebbi Akiva die by joining the rebellion with Bar Kochva? [duplicate]

I have heard from an Israeli friend of mine that some maintain that the Talmidim of Rebbi Akiva zs'l didn't all die in a plague, but rather they were killed by Roman soldiers because they had ...
37 votes
10 answers
5k views

Is there any evidence that Rabbi Akiva's students fought alongside Bar Kochba?

Various sources say that "12,000 pairs" of Rabbi Akiva's students died between Pesach and Shavuos because they did not treat each other with respect. See Genesis Rabba 61:3, Ecclesiastes Rabba 11, ...
1 vote
2 answers
100 views

Historical sources on Bar Kochba? [closed]

Does anyone know any books or articles I can read to learn more about Bar Kohkba?
-1 votes
1 answer
214 views

Should Moshiach be Gdol Hador according to Rambam and R' Akiva?

Rambam Melachim 11 states that Moshiach should be one who studies Torah: "וְאִם יַעֲמֹד מֶלֶךְ מִבֵּית דָּוִד הוֹגֶה בַּתּוֹרָה וְעוֹסֵק בְּמִצְוֹת כְּדָוִד אָבִיו." "Now, if a king should ...
1 vote
0 answers
50 views

When Rebbe Akiva anointed Shimon Bar Kochba as Messiah, what would that ceremony have looked like?

I am studying the early post-second temple period, and I am curious as to what sort of ceremony Rebbe Akiva would have performed when he decided to anoint Shimon Bar Kochba (at that time, to the best ...
1 vote
1 answer
121 views

May one declare someone to be the messiah?

I recall a gemarah (possibly Yerushalmi Taanit?) wherein Rebbi Akiva is quoted as proclaiming that Shimon bar Kosiba was the king Moshiach. I further understand that this statement could be one of ...
6 votes
0 answers
173 views

Rabbi Akiva seeing Bar Kochba sleeping on his back?

I once saw it in some sefer that Rabbi Akiva saw Bar Kochba sleeping on his back (not on his side) and then he knew that he wasn't Mashiach. Does anyone know where this is written? I'm pretty sure its ...
3 votes
1 answer
143 views

What do we know about Bar Kochba?

Among the failed potential Messiah's was Bar Kochba who was backed by Rabbi Akiva. What do we know about him? Was he a disciple of Beit Hillel or Beit Shamai or someone else for example?