Not all rabbis supported Bar Kokhba. Rabbi Yochanan ben Torta famously replied to Akiva’s messianic declaration: ‘Akiva, grass will grow from your cheeks and the son of David will still not have come.’ A significant rabbinic stream — particularly among those focused on Diaspora survival and those skeptical of messianic claims after the disaster of 70 AD — counseled caution, non-engagement, or active opposition to the revolt. Their position was vindicated by the catastrophic outcome of 135 AD. This pragmatic, survival-oriented stream becomes the dominant tendency of post-Bar Kokhba Rabbinic Judaism: the channeling of messianic energy into Torah study and prayer rather than political action.