Rabbi Akiba

Rabbi Akiba was a famous Jewish rabbi of the 2nd century AD, a great authority in the matter of Jewish tradition who systematized the traditions that later became the Mishnah.[1] After Emperor Hadrian's decree banning Jews from Jerusalem, he proclaimed Simon bar-Kokhba as Messiah, saying, "This is the king Messiah!"[2] Bar Kokhba's revolt in 135 AD failed, and Akiba who was flayed alive by the Romans as punishment.[3] Many Jews considered him a martyr.

## References[edit]

1. ↑ http://www.jewfaq.org/sages.htm#Akiba
2. ↑ y. Taʿan. 4:8/27; parallel at Lam. Rab. 2:2 §4:

> R. Shimon b. Yohai taught, “My teacher Akiba used to expound, A star [‫ ]כוכב‬goes out from Jacob [Num 24:17], ‘Koziba [‫ ]כוזבא‬goes out from Jacob.’” When R. Akiba saw Bar Koziba, he said, “This is the king messiah.” (‫דין הוא מלכא משיחא‬) R. Yohanan b. Torta said to him, “Akiba, grass will come up between your cheeks and still the son of David will not have come.”

3. ↑ Nuttall Encyclopedia of General Knowledge, article on Akiba, Ben Joseph originally published in 1907 written by Reverend James Wood