Rejection of Bar Kokhba as the Messiah
Bar Koziba ruled for two and a half years. He said to the rabbis, “I am the Messiah.” They said to him, “About the Messiah, it is written that he smells and judges.” Let us see if he is able to smell and judge. When they saw that he does not smell and judge, they killed him.
Translated by Carol Bakhos.
Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 2: Emerging Judaism.
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Rabbinic traditions criticize R. Akiva for believing that bar Kosiba (known as Bar Kokhba) was the Messiah, calling him Bar Koziba, a play on Hebrew kozeb, “lie.”
It is unclear what this text is referring to when it states that bar Kosiba “ruled.” While he fancied himself the leader of Israel, historical sources such as Dio Cassius’ Roman History do not name him (see “Historical Summary of the Revolt”).
Related Guide
Ancient Rabbinic Constructions of the Past
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