Jacob ha-Sofer

Jacob ha-Sofer was a scribe in Fez. At the behest of the community’s leader, Jacob Rosales, ha-Sofer traveled to Portugal to visit David ha-Reuveni, who claimed to be the emissary of an independent Jewish kingdom. A long poem written by either ha-Sofer or one of his close associates describes the encounter between ha-Sofer and ha-Reuveni. Ha-Reuveni accorded significant roles in his mission to certain Moroccan Jews, among them Rosales, who was apparently designated to become commander in chief of ha-Reuveni’s future army. This is evident also in the poem, which glorifies “King David” (i.e., ha-Reuveni) and his followers in Fez. It also relates that ha-Reuveni gave his visitor a flag and two rings, which were apparently intended for Rosales, and shared with him secret information during his monthlong visit. The poem corroborates information found in ha-Reuveni’s account of his activities and sheds light on his military ambitions and on the messianic fervor in Morocco.