Johanan (2nd century rabbi)

Johanan ben Torta (Hebrew: יוחנן בן תורתא, read as Yochanan ben Torta) was a rabbi of the early 2nd century (third generation of tannaim).

He was one of the main opponents of the Bar Kokhba revolt:

Shimon bar Yochai recounts: Rabbi Akiva would elucidate, "A star has came forth out of Jacob" [as] '[Bar] Kozba' has came forth out of Jacob'. When Akiva would see 'Bar Kokhba', he would say: 'This is the King Messiah'. [And then] R. Johanan ben Torta would tell him: "Akiva, Grass shall grow from your cheeks and yet the son of David shall not appear."