“Son of the Star;” Leader of Revolt against Rome in 135 CE, last attempt, with initial success for a few years, to regain independence from Rome, after Destruction of Second Temple in about 70 CE. He was believed by Rabbi Akiva to be the Mashiach, and he was given this name based on the prophecy of Bilaam recorded in the Torah, which speaks of a “star shooting forth from Yaakov.” Tragically, he was tricked into believing that Rabbi Elazar was involved in Treason. At that point, Bar Kochba executed him, he lost the support of Rabbi Akiva and the rest of the Rabbis, and presumably, of G-d. His name reverted to Ben Kosiba, either his real name or, appropriately, the “Son of the Lie.”
