2 Tevet · Yahrzeit
Rabbi Yaakov Barbie Reuven Ibn Tzur of Morocco
Rabbi Yaakov Barbie Reuven Ibn Tzur of Morocco
Yahrzeit - 2 Tevet
Burial place - Cimetière Israélite, Fez, Morocco
Rabbi Yaakov Ibn Tzur was born in Meknes. As a child he studied Torah with his father. From an early age he was known for his talent in copying rare manuscripts. The commentary "Minchat Yehuda" by Rabbi Yehuda Ben-Attar was printed from a copy prepared by Rabbi Yaakov at the age of 15. He married the daughter of Rabbi Yehuda Uziel. His personal life was difficult - sixteen of his children died during his lifetime, and only his son Rafael survived.
At the age of 20 he was appointed scribe of the rabbinical court of Rabbi Yehuda Ben-Attar in Fez.
During this time he wrote the sefer "Et Sofer," in which he compiled formulas for various legal documents. Eleven years later he was appointed Dayan on the beit din together with Rabbi Yehuda Ben-Attar and Rabbi Samuel Tzarfati.
He was recognized as one of the greatest Dayanim of Morocco of his time. He gathered all his knowledge into the sefer "Mishpat u-Tzedaka le-Yaakov" (Judgment and Mercy of Yaakov). While he led the community of Fez, the community's taxes were gradually restructured so that the wealthy paid more and the poor paid less.
After serving 31 years as rabbi in Fez, he moved to Meknes due to financial disputes within the community. In Meknes he worked together with Rabbi Moshe Berdugo and Rabbi Moshe Adhan. His grave in the Jewish cemetery of Fez is a site of pilgrimage for Jews visiting Morocco.
(https://dailyzohar.com/tzadikim/1003-Rabbi-Yaakov-Barbie-Reuven-Ibn-Tzur)