Manuscript, Makel Ya'akov on Tractate Makot, and Bechorato L'Ya'akov on Tractate Bechorot – hitherto unprinted compositions, by R. Ya'akov Ben Zaken. [Tunisia, c. 1830-1840].
Two unprinted compositions: Makel Ya'akov on Tractate Makot is complete, whereas the composition on Tractate Bechorot is lacking at the beginning (begins at leaf 17 of the tractate). Most of the composition is in the author's handwriting, with corrections and additions in the text and on the margins (from leaf 19 and on, commentary on Tractate Makot and from leaf 2 of the second pagination, on Tractate Bechorot). Approximately 42 leaves are apparently written in the handwriting of the copier (the author's introduction and first leaves of Tractate Makot, and [25] leaves at the beginning of Tractate Bechorot). At the end of the interesting introduction (leaf 2/r) the author signed "Ya'akov Ibn Elazar Ibn Zaken".
In the composition, the author cites his companions and teachers who were Tunisian sages: "My close teacher" R. Yeshu'a Basis; "My bosom friend" R. Avraham HaCohen [author of Mishmerot Kehuna]; "My bosom friend" R. Avraham Chajaj [author of Zar'o shel Avraham]; R. Shmuel Tzafaj; R. Yeshu'a Tzafaj, etc.
R. Ya'akov Ben Zaken (died in 1857) was a leading Tunisian sage in the 19th century, a dayan in the city of Tunis in the Beit Din of R. Yeshu'a Basis and R. Natan Burgil (the second). He studied Torah with R. Avraham Yitzchaki, author of Mishmerot Kehuna (1802-1864) and R. Yitzchaki eulogized R. Ya'akov referring to him as "My Torah companion" (see Chasdei Kehuna, p. 47/v, Derush 18, see ibid Derush 15). In 1851, his son R. Elazar printed Selichot and Tikun Chatzot in Livorno. This book has an introduction by his father - "the introduction of the sage R. Ya'akov Ben Zaken, who taught Torah in the city of Tunis", and he signs at the end: "Ya'akov son of Elazar Ibn Zaken". Novellae and customs are cited in his name in books authored by Tunis sages (in Zar'o shel Avraham by R. A. Chajaj, etc), and he also signed a number of regulations with Tunis rabbis during 1850-1855. His other manuscripts were not printed. In the introduction to this book, another
composition he wrote titled Nadar Ya'akov on Hilchot Nedarim is mentioned. This manuscript is mentioned by R. Shlomo Mazuz in Shem HaGedolim L'Chochmei Tunis" (Ma'arechet 7, at the end of the book Cheshek Shlomo, Part 2), who writes that he saw the manuscript of the book Makel Ya'akov.
35 leaves; [25], 2-17, 2-11, [2] leaves – total of approx. 174 written leaves. 20 cm. Fair condition, wear and worming to text. Damages and lacking text to approx. first five leaves and to the margins of approx. 15 other leaves. Unbound.
Enclosed is a report by an expert on rabbinical manuscripts.