Shailoth U’Teshuvoth [responsa]

IBN TZUR, YA’AKOV BEN REUVEN.

Morocco

18th century

Manuscript in Hebrew, written in various cursive Sephardic hands on paper, with autograph signatures or initials (see below).

AUTOGRAPH MANUSCRIPT. This manuscript is a compendium of texts and includes several autograph responsa signed by R. Ya’akov ibn Tzur (ff. 12b, 17b, 18b, 68b, et al). Indeed a marginal notation by the author’s son (f. 40a) states that the text was written in the hand of his father: “Kathuv bekthav yad atereth roshi adoni avi.” Elsewhere are copies of his responsa. The volume also includes correspondence written to R. Ya’akov ibn Tzur from some of the great rabbis of Morocco, including R. Ya’akov Toledano (the Mahri’t) and R. Maimon Grabeli (f. 71). A few leaves contain multiple signatures including R. Ya’akov ibn Tzur and other Dayanim (ff. 14b, 17b). One page is in the hand of R. Shlomo Eliyahu ibn Tzur with his initials at end of the responsa (f. 109b). Born in Meknes, R. Ya’akov ibn Zur (also referred to as Ya’abetz, 1673-1753) was a member of the Beth Din led by R. Yehudah ben Attar. After the latter’s death, R. Ya’akov was appointed Av Beth Din and Chief Rabbi of Fez. Many of his responsa were published posthumously by the Chief Rabbi of Egypt Raphael Aaron ben Shimon under the title “Mishpat U’Tzedakah B’Yaakov” Alexandria, 1894-1903. See S. Vanunu.