Bar-Kochba

Abstract

David and Bar-Kocheba make in a way two pillars of Jewish history in the Promised Land. With David begins the Jewish state, with Bar Kocheba, a chief who established a new ephemeral Jewish state, it comes to an end. Since then Jewish nation has started its life in Diaspora. It officially lasted until 1984. David goes fighting against Goliat and finishes it successfully, he does it in the name of God trusting fully in Lord’s help. Bar Kocheba behaves in a quite different way. Even in his prayer he boasts that he does not need God’s help. David wins, Bar Kocheba loses. The histoiy of Israel is the history in which such a principle fulfils: „Not by might, nor by power, but my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4,6).