: He famously declared the rebel leader, Simon bar Kokhba, to be the Messiah.
: His wife, Rachel, saw his potential and insisted he study. Rabbi Akiva: Sage of the Talmud
: He believed every "crown" on the letters of the Torah held a specific legal meaning. : He famously declared the rebel leader, Simon
: He died reciting the Shema , smiling because he could finally love God "with all his soul." Simon bar Kokhba
: Akiva supported the Jewish rebellion against Rome (132 CE).
: Born into a poor family; remained unlearned until age 40.