Bar Kokhba, Simeon

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Bar Kokhba, Simeon (d. 135 CE). Leader of Jewish revolt against Rome. His name (‘Son of a Star’) seems to have been understood as a fulfilment of the verse in Numbers 24. 17. He was accepted as messiah by R. Akiva, the leading authority of his day, and the revolt seems to have lasted for three years, 132–5 CE. He was eventually killed by the Roman army after a siege at Bethar which traditionally was taken on the 9 Av.

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