Jacob Ibn Ḥabib

Jacob Ibn Ḥabib was a rabbinic scholar and communal leader in Salonika. He was born in Zamora, Spain and, after the expulsion of Jews in 1492, spent a few years in Portugal before finally settling in Salonika in 1501. While still in Spain, Ibn Ḥabib headed a highly respected yeshiva in Salamanca. He was one of the leaders of the Sephardic community in Salonika and helped immigrants adjust to the new environment. He is best known for his anthology of aggadic material from the Talmud, ‘En Ya‘akov (Wellspring of Jacob). In this popular book, intended for a wide audience, Ibn Ḥabib added his own commentary to those of previous commentators on the Talmud. During the last years of his life, Ibn Ḥabib saw the publication of the first two volumes; the work was ultimately completed by his son after his death.