Shimon Bar Kochba
100 years after the death and resurrection of Yeshua, there was a popular uprising in Israel under the leadership of Shimon Bar Kochba. Bar Kokhba was supported by the people of Israel. Rabbi Akiva, president of the Sanhedrin at the time, declared Bar Kokhba to be the Messiah. According to Akiva, Bar Kokhba would lead the people of Israel to national liberation and political emancipation, and the messianic era.
As Bar Kokhba was formally declared Messiah, the early believers in Yeshua would not join in with his uprising, as it would imply they supported Bar Kochba’s messianic claims. This was where the formal split between Judaism and Christianity began. The Bar Kokhba rebellion saw Jewish believers in Yeshua fully excluded from the Jewish community for the first time. In the end, Bar Kokhba was defeated and his followers lost the war, and many were brutally slain by the Romans. Bar Kochba, which meant ‘Son of the Star’, was renamed Bar Kozeba – Son of Disappointment.
Yet there was no reason for Rabbi Akiva to declare Bar Kochba the Messiah in the first place, as he was merely the commander of the forces of the rebellion in Israel. He served as judge in Israel for three years. He had great physical strengths, but a myth developed around him so much that people said he could knock back huge stones fired from Roman canons with his knees! According to the Jewish Encyclopedia, Bar Kochba ordered his soldiers to cut their fingers off. They said no, so he got them to each uproot a cedar of Lebanon whilst riding at full speed! At this, Akiva declared him to be Messiah!
Rabbi Akiva
Bar Kokhba had nothing spiritually special about him, but Akiva declared him to be a ‘Star of Jacob’ and a fulfilment of prophecy.
Why was Bar Kochba declared to be the Messiah, other than the establishment deciding him to be?
We shouldn’t follow people because they are strong or make big promises, we need to be secure in them, and trust them. There is nothing about Bar Kochba that I would want to get to know. He is a faceless character of history. There are no particular teachings of Bar Kochba that have lasted to this day. Bar Kokhba was a physical enforcer at best. People claimed Bar Kochba was powerful, but his physical strength wasn’t enough.
For an example of true strength, we turn to Yeshua and the first temptation he faced from Satan.
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.
The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone.’“
The first question that Satan posed Yeshua was that he should turn the bread into stone. Now remember Yeshua had not eaten for forty days. He had drank, but had not eaten. How tempting must the food have been! Yet Yeshua refused to listen to Satan’s temptation. Satan is testing Yeshua – if he does have power he should prove it. Yeshua’s reply is that man should not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. In a moment of unimaginable hunger, Yeshua pointed towards the greater hunger he had for God. It shows how spiritual Yeshua was – even in his moment of physical need he was thinking of the spiritual. We know from this incident that Yeshua was not interested in the temporary physical pleasures, but in spiritual truths. Bar Kochba was only chosen as a spiritual Messiah because of his physical strength, but here was Yeshua in physical weakness showing spiritual strength.
Conclusion: Yeshua was a spiritual Messiah who showed strength even in physical weakness.
Bar Kochba was a physical Messiah without any spiritual strengths.
In this way, Yeshua is greater than Bar Kochba.
Recommended reading: Rabbi Akiva´s Messiah and the Origins of Rabbinical Authority, by Dan Gruber. It lays bare the power grab by Akiva using ‘Bar Kochba’ as pretext.
Thanks
makes perfect sense! I can’t see how Rabbi Akiva could have actually believed Bar Kokhba was moshiach, it was so implausible. Just got a biography of Sabbatai Zevi by John Freely through the post today, it’s a lot easier to read than most stuff I’ve seen
about Zevi so far.
Sholem is the best and most detailed.
Why are you so surprised.Look how many people believed in Jesus? Jesus was much less successful then Bar Kochbah. And anyway how do you know Bar Kochbah isn’t the Messiah?
Problem with Scholem is that he relates everything to Zevi’s mental state, I think he takes it too far with that. He’s detailed, and it’s a marvellous work, but it’s not as easy to read as Freely, and I feel lazy sometimes
And anyway how do you know Bar Kochbah isn’t the Messiah?
He staked his claims on overthrowing the Romans, and was the nasi of his own Jewish state for three years. He lived by the sword and died by the sword, so to speak.
Yeshua’s kingdom was not of this world.
As to Shalem, maybe he is right to appeal to Tzvi’s mental state. Afterall the guy was nuts. And he is a hard read. But I have seen worse.
As to Bar Kochbah, he made the same claims as Jesus. As to his kingdom nto being of this world. Since he never had any in this world, that is easy to say. But if you believe that, then I assume you agree that Isaiah 53:12 does not refer to Jesus at all.
…I assume you agree that Isaiah 53:12 does not refer to Jesus at all.
Of course it does:
“For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.”
That’s not 53:12.
Yes it is:
http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt1053.htm
יב לָכֵן אֲחַלֶּק-לוֹ בָרַבִּים, וְאֶת-עֲצוּמִים יְחַלֵּק שָׁלָל, תַּחַת אֲשֶׁר הֶעֱרָה לַמָּוֶת נַפְשׁוֹ, וְאֶת-פֹּשְׁעִים נִמְנָה; וְהוּא חֵטְא-רַבִּים נָשָׂא, וְלַפֹּשְׁעִים יַפְגִּיעַ.
Now that’s the whole verse. Part of a verse is not the verse. How about the first part of that verse. That can’t be Jesus.
לָכֵן אֲחַלֶּק-לוֹ בָרַבִּים, וְאֶת-עֲצוּמִים יְחַלֵּק שָׁלָל
Do you know what ‘שָׁלָל’ means? Certainly not something someone whose kingdom is not of this world has something to do with.
Sure that’ll come soon enough
But conversely, you can’t ignore the bit about the Moshiach suffering here for transgressions. By your own logic, you’re as wrong as me by only citing half the verse.
You didn’t answer my question.
Since it is not about the Messiah, I didn’t feel a need to quote more then what shows it can’t be Jesus.
“Therefore will I divide him a portion among the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the mighty”
Of course I believe this will happen during the days of the complete geula, but the geula has already been activated by melech hamashiach, who watches us from Heaven and whose words guide us.
What do you mean by ‘geula’ and ‘complete geula’. Either it happens or not.
Are you now saying that John is wrong and Jesus’ kingdom is of this world and he is going to go around plundering nations and dividing the spoils to his followers???
I have that work and it is full of errors. like this article. Here is an article I have with a few examples: http://judaismsanswer.com/QandA2.htm
like this article
What’s wrong with this article?
I’m not being defensive, just interested to hear what you think.
It has the same Jesus myths. We know little about Bar Kochbah, but you can be sure that whatever he faults may be, he was not some hooligan from the street.
At least Jesus didn’t try to make his disciples uproot Lebanese cedars whilst riding full speed on horseback
That’s cause he was a wimp, and Bar Kochbah wasn’t.
A wimp! Come on Moshe, first you say Yeshua didn’t exist then you say he does but he was a wimp, make up your mind.
OK if he did exist then he was a wimp. Is that better?
Yes. He did exist Moshe and he would have beat you in an armwrestle
Before or after he was beaten by the Romans?
BTW I am older then he was, so that is not fair. I bet my son could whip him.
He was a carpenter, strong arms.
So what can modern Israel learn from this man’s life? Perhaps that ideas are best fought with other ideas, and political and military battles are best either fought with force or avoided.
I hope religoius tolerance lessons would be learned by Israel’s neighbors too. Atleast in Israel there is freedom or religion and conversion rights. If Shimon Bar Kokhba were to campaign for the office of Messiah today, and claim to be God, would he receive a tolerant reception in Isreal?
He seemed to have been unemployed for a while. Probably had strong legs for all the walking. But since he needed someone to help with the cross, he probably was pretty weak.
“He seemed to have been unemployed for a while” What, like all the Yeshiva bokers!
I wouldn’t consider learning Torah being unemployed. Tarveling around the countryside with a bunch of young men and living on handouts, seems to be unemployed to me.
As opposed to the life of a Yeshivah boker!?
Yeshua’s parapatetic ministry style was a well-known pattern of rabbinic ministry at that time as you probably well know!
Gev, not true. While there were some INDIVIDUALS who would travel, they did not have groups of followers, like the Greek philosophers.
So like the yeshiva, but on wheels!
Can we really believe that JC didn’t eat for 40 days? Common people, it is common sense that after 10-15 days the body dies without food. Forty days…and in the desert of all places?
If you say it was a miracle, then there’s no real merit in that! For it was a miracle and not his own human strength.
I can think of other pagan gods who were also tempted by the forces of evil and triumphed. In this JC is not unique.
Nosson, now, why would you spread some misinformed lies. That people can survive for 40 days without food is a well documented fact: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=how-long-can-a-person-sur
Gene,
We’re not talking about someone in bed resting. We’re talking about a thin man in the desert with little to no water (where can you find water in the desert). It is impossible to do for 40 days! I don’t see where you can call someone a liar for stating a mere logical fact.
“It is impossible to do for 40 days!”
I just showed you that’s is not. Even deserts have their oases and there are wells in deserts.
“I don’t see where you can call someone a liar for stating a mere logical fact.”
I didn’t call you a liar, but only that you are spreading lies (which someone else’ may have invented).
We’re not talking about someone in bed resting. We’re talking about a thin man in the desert with little to no water (where can you find water in the desert). It is impossible to do for 40 days! I don’t see where you can call someone a liar for stating a mere logical fact.
Nowhere does it says Yeshua didn’t drink water.
Come on Nosson, the Israelites miraculously lasted 40 years in the desert!
If God could provide for them he could provide for Moshiach.
Guys,
You really believe JC was in the hot burning 120-130 degree heat, walking around in the desert with LITTLE to no water? Can a thin person (remember in those days people lived shorter lifespans) with no food and little water walk around in the desert, climbing mountains, etc. for 40 days?
I’m in no way a skeptic, believe me, but this stretches the truth a bit!
Anyway, there are better things to argue about! LOL
How did Israel survive 40 YEARS in the desert??!!!
“I just showed you that’s is not. Even deserts have their oases and there are wells in deserts.”
Gene, sorry, but you didn’t show me anything. These “proofs” of studies were not performed on people in the 130degree heat of the desert, while perform rigorous physical activity such as climbing cliffs and mountains.
These people were mostly resting.
“These people were mostly resting.”
Yeshua must’ve been in great shape then:) Besides, you don’t know what temps were in the desert at that time, AND you forget – or perhaps were ignorant of this fact – that deserts cool down very significantly during the night AND dew settles on everything by morning to the point where one could collect and drink it (besides the possible wells or oases Yeshua may have come across).
Gene, you’re attempting to divert my point of NO FOOD FOR 40 DAYS, very unsuccessfully.
I said LITTLE to no water…
The point is not the water, the point is the NO FOOD FOR 40 DAYS. It’s common knowledge that deserts are HOT. I don’t have to go back 2,000 years to prove this.
Just in case you try to divert my point. Again, the point is NO FOOD FOR 40 DAYS IN A DESERT WHILE PERFORMING ACTIVITIES SUCH AS CLIMBING, ETC.
“Gene, you’re attempting to divert my point of NO FOOD FOR 40 DAYS, very unsuccessfully. ”
Yes, very unsuccessful in diversion (since I am not even attempting it). However, your speculation about how Yeshua COULDN’T have survived in the desert is just as valid as mine that he could. Every individual is different. Besides, I read that some view these 40 days as only a figurative number that emphasizes a considerable length of time – what important is the spiritual application that Yeshua didn’t succumb to temptation.
Joseph
“How did Israel survive 40 YEARS in the desert??!!!” They did it through Hashem’s miracle. Unlike JC, they didn’t go without food for 40 days!!
This is just something that stretches the truth. That’s all
Actually, now I agree Nosson, you are right. I am so sorry.
Clearly fasting for 40 days and 40 nights is impossible.
It’s just now I’m having trouble understanding Exodus 34:28:
Moses was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water.
My Hebrew’s surely not as good as yours, so maybe you can help me with it:
וַיְהִי-שָׁם עִם-יְהוָה, אַרְבָּעִים יוֹם וְאַרְבָּעִים לַיְלָה–לֶחֶם לֹא אָכַל, וּמַיִם לֹא שָׁתָה
Please enlighten me!
Gene, are you serious! He was in heaven, not in the desert!
Good one, Joe – yes, Nosson – please explain to us how it was possible for Moshe (who wasn’t even trying to prove anything and, unlike Yeshua, didn’t even DRINK!), but not possible to Yeshua ?
“Gene, are you serious! He was in heaven, not in the desert!’
Ha, Nosson – nice try. Quote please.
Not until we admit we are wrong about Yeshua and make t’shuvah, only then will we found out Nosson’s kabbalistic revelation about Moshe Rabbenu’s mystical ascension into Heaven….
OK, Nosson – may be Yeshua ascended into Haven as well, just like Moshe did? Is it not possible for him, if it was possible for Moshe Rabbenu?
Not possible Gene, it clearly states that satan tempted to jump off a cliff. What cliff in heaven was this?
“the spiritual application that Yeshua didn’t succumb to temptation.”
This is a good point Gene, and the main point. But, again, what merit is for “god” not to succumb to temptation.
Would you be tempted to eat a corpse or anything disgusting? Surely god is not tempted to sin, he’s disgusted by it.
Gene, I know you know that he has in heaven for that time period right?
Come on Gene, don’t play the ignorant card. You knew that…right?
Nosson, just quote it to me to show me that Moshe was in heaven for 40 days/nights, and we will move on to the next point. If you can’t, just say so – it’s OK to lose an argument for truth’s sake.
Guys,
I’m not a computer, so I can’t remember the text at this time. But I know for sure I read it in the Talmud, where it states something like “How did Moses know when it was day and when it was night? During the day he would learn the written Torah and during the night he would learn the Oral Torah”
The problem here is that you don’t believe in the Talmud, except when it’s convenient.
It’s difficult to explain to a 5-year old about advanced calculus, there mind simply cannot grasp it. It’s difficult for me to explain certain things, your minds just cannot grasp it yet. Your spiritual sechel is simply underdeveloped and you won’t grasp it. The same as a 5-year old cannot grasp advanced Calculus.
“The problem here is that you don’t believe in the Talmud, except when it’s convenient. ”
Nosson, Orthodox Jews do it all the time as well – they are quite selective in which sage’s interpretation, out of MYRIADS of often conflicting interpretations found in Talmud, they would prefer or would be willing to accept (or Rashi, or Maimonides, or their rebbe accepted for them).
“It’s difficult for me to explain certain things, your minds just cannot grasp it yet. Your spiritual sechel is simply underdeveloped and you won’t grasp it. The same as a 5-year old cannot grasp advanced Calculus.”
That’s quite patronizing, Nosson – you assume that all Messianic Jews do not read Talmud or other oral traditions, do not understand these texts or use their for their daily lives as Jews. You assume too much.
Joseph, trust me…”I’m but dust and ashes”. They’re not my words, their OUR SAGES words. If you feel like you’re in their level, then my all means, argue with THEIR words.
But I caution, you they reach their spiritual levels due to great purity of mind. Can you honestly say you’re remotely close to this?
According to the Zohar, anyone who speaks derogatorily against our sages is a clear sign that he’s blemish his brit. Meaning, he doesn’t have sexual purity.
According to the Zohar, anyone who speaks derogatorily against our sages is a clear sign that he’s blemish his brit. Meaning, he doesn’t have sexual purity.
Yes, but also according to the Zohar, spilling your seed is worse than all the sins of the universe.
Joseph, what do you mean? Is this in any way inaccurate?
Yes, spilling you seed in vain IS THE WORST SIN (the most destructive)!
And if someone speaks negatively about our Jewish leaders, our tzaddikim, then it’s a clear sign that he’s spilling his seed in vain – the most destructive sin!
Therefore, I would highly recommend you and all who speak derogatorily about tzaddikim to do some soul searching and teshuvah. This is no joke, this very serious. The “blood of JC” WILL NOT cleanse you of this sin. Blood sacrifices only cleanse you from unintentional sins (Numbers 15:25).
So not being frum = Onanism?
“So not being frum = Onanism?” Not necessarily.
Sexual purity is man’s greatest test. He must do everything he can to protect himself from this. Speaking slander contributes to weakening one’s defenses against this evil. And speaking derogatorily against tzaddikim is a clear sign of this blemish.
Besides, your words sound as if being frum is a bad thing.
So Nosson, why are you on the Internet then?
Why do you not pay attention to the gedolim of our generation?
http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Article.aspx?id=170189
I’m not a Haredi Jew. I think you have a serious misconception of what Hassidic, Orthodox and Haredi Jews are.
Please educate yourself a little more before you label any Torah-observant Jew Haredi. There are not the same.
But you criticised me for ignoring the tzadikim then you do the same!
Where are you coming from then Nosson – which branch of Judaism?
Joseph,
I don’t see how a haredi movement which sides with Arabs can be labeled “tzadikkim”? There’s a world of difference between “looking religious” and being religious.
People who violently harass others in with demonstrations are not tzaddikim. They made look religious outwardly, “but their hearts are far from me.” (Isaiah 29:13)
So I can work out you’re not Neturei Karta. In fact you hate Neturei Karta.
You can’t be Satmar either. You can’t be in Mea Shearim as you have a computer.
My guess is you’re a neo-Hasidic American-born settler, possibly haredi-leumi.
I have to guess until you tell me – please let me know if I’m right!
May be he’s Conservative or Reform? They have easier / faster conversions, without much oversight of day-to-day life:)
Haha maybe. I’m gonna guess he’s in a Chavakuk community.
I’ll bet you a tithe of the other one’s earnings.
Come on Nosson who’s right?
Joseph, you make me laugh (in a good way). I can see you a good heart, just need to aim it in the right direction.
“There’s no need to be stringent. G-d is ultimately simple”
haha thanks
Gene, I don’t see how you assume I’m converted. I’m not. Not that this is a bad thing, but I’m not a convert.
I don’t see where you get this geivah (conceit)…or maybe I do.
Matthew 15:26 “He replied, ‘It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.’”
Simon got it right in one instance, then got it wrong a couple of minutes later. A bit like everyone does, really. He was human after all.
Joseph, sorry but we’re not talking about you and me, we’re talking about the level of prophecy. You don’t go from prophecy to demon-possessed in 30 seconds.
Joseph,
Take a look at the title of this post and tell us what TEMPATION means?……LOL!
Dan, I make you laugh a lot
This is the only thing you good for…..Just kidding…..I know your heart. it is your brain I have problems with……again, just kidding….
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