Et L’Kol Chefetz – Approximately four hundred poems and hymns for all the annual festivals, for eulogies and celebrations, by the Kabbalist Rabbi Ya’akov Even Tzur – Ya’ave”tz, Av Beit Din of Fez and leader of the Moroccan adjudicators of his generation. Na Amon [Alexandria]. Special edition: On the back of the title page is a lengthy dedication in lyrical language by Rabbi Shlomo Even Tzur, with his stamp.
The book was published by his grandson, Rabbi Shlomo b”r Rephael Even Tzur and by Rabbi Rephael Aharon ibn Shimon, chief rabbi of Cairo. The book opens with an important historical foreword by the publisher’s father, Rabbi Rephael Even Tzur, who was rabbi of Fez, and a short introduction by Rabbi Shlomo, the publisher. There is also a lengthy introduction by Rabbi Rephael Aharon ibn Shimon, rabbi of Cairo.
Rabbi Ya’akov b’Rabbi Reuven Even Tzur – Ya’avetz [1673-1753], was a rabbi, adjudicator, Kabbalist, sermonizer, poet and hymnist. He was one of the leading sages of Morocco in the 18th century. He gave an approbation to the book Chafetz Hashem by the author of Ohr HaChaim . The Chid”a wrote that he dabbled in practical Kabbalah.
Rabbi Ya’akov was born in Meknes. In his youth, he studied Torah with his father, Rabbi Reuven. At the age of twenty, he was appointed scribe of the Beit Din of Rabbi Yehudah ben Attar of Fez. It was then that he wrote his important book consisting of various contract texts and the laws connected to them. He was later appointed dayan alongside Rabbi Yehudah Ben Attar and Rabbi Shmuel HaTzarfati. After Rabbi Yehudah ben Attar’s passing, Rabbi Ya’akov succeeded him as Av Beit Din. In this role, he was recognized as the leading posek among Moroccan rabbis at the time. He anthologized the responsa that were referred to him in a book called Mishpat V’Tzedakah B’Ya’akov . His grave is in the Jewish cemetery in Fez, and it is a pilgrimage site for Jews visiting Morocco. According to David Korkus, who wrote the entry on Fez in Encyclopedia HaIvrit , with Rabbi Ya’akov Even Tzur’s passing, the “firstborn” status of the city of Fez ended among the Jewish communities in Morocco. Rabbi Ya’akov granted rabbinic ordination to five disciples: His son, Rabbi Rephael Oved Even Tzur, Rabbi Shaul ibn Denan, Rabbi Eliyahu HaTzarfati, Rabbi Moshe ibn Zimra and Rabbi Matityah Seriro. There are those who count Rabbi Ephraim Monsinigo as the fifth disciple he ordained. Eventually, these five rabbis were known as “The Beit Din of Five.”
[1], 14, 118, [1] leaf, 21.5 cm.
Printed and bound with:
Tziltzelei Shema – hymns by Rabbi Moshe ibn Tzur and others from the family of Rabbi Ya’akov Even Tzur. Alexandria. 1892. Only edition.
74, [1] leaf, 21.5 cm.
Both books are in fine-very fine condition: Minimal aging stains. Single worming perforation.