Jacob ben Reuben ibn Zur

Jacob ben Reuben ibn Ẓur or Jacob Abensur (1673–1753) was a poet, scholar and leading Moroccan rabbi of the 18th century.

Jacob was born in 1673 in Fez. He studied under the rabbi Vidal Serfaty and the rabbi Menahem Serero. In 1693, he was appointed as registar at the bet din (rabbinical court) of Fez, and then as a rabbi and head of the bet din in 1704, a post which he held for another 30 years. Thereafter, oppressive taxation induced him to move to Meknès, where he became a member of the bet din for 11 eleven years, and after that he moved to Tétouan to serve in its bet din for another 7 years.

In his old age, Ibn Zur ordained five of his students: Samuel b. R. Jacob b. Danan, R. Ephraim b. Abraham Monsonyego, his son R. Raphael Obed Ibn Zur, R. Elijah b. A. Joseph HaSarfati, and his grandson R. Matitya b. R. R. Jacob b. Menahem II Serero; who later became known as the “Court of Five” (bet din shel ḥamishah).

• Mishpat u-Ẓedekah be-Ya’akov, a published collection of some of his responsa. He was consulted on halakhic questions. Many of Jacob's responsa are preseved in the works of Moroccan rabbis.

• Et le-khol Ḥefeẓ, a published collection of liturgical poetry

• Et Sofer, this work is still in manuscript, specimens of contracts, documents and form letters. The kabbalist and rabbi Abraham Ankawa published most of this work his Kerem Ḥemed