Jacob ben Reuben ibn Zur

Who is Jacob ben Reuben ibn Zur?

Ribi Ya'aqob ben Reuben ibn Sur was a Talmudist and rabbi of Fez. He was born in the latter part of the seventeenth century and died after 1750. That his reputation as a Talmudist stood high is apparent in the responsa of Abraham Ankava, where he is quoted as an authority recognized by all Moroccan Jewish communities. Ribi ibn Sur was the author of the following works, still extant in manuscript: "Hiddushim u-Derushim," casuistic and homiletic notes; Leshon Limmudim, collection of epistles signed. Jacob was also a liturgical poet, and wrote many dirges on the destruction of the Temple which were incorporated in the "Kinot" for Tisha b'Av in use among the Moroccan Jews; and his name occurs in the approbations to various Talmudical works, the last of which is dated 1750.