Hayyim ben Jacob Abulafia

Hayyim ben Jacob Abulafia (born 1660 in Hebron, died 1744 in Tiberias, Ottoman Syria) was a rabbinical authority. He was the grandfather of Hayyim ben David Abulafia and grandson of Isaac Nissim aben Gamil. Abulafia was a rabbi in Smyrna, where he instituted many wholesome regulations. In his old age (1740) he restored the Jewish community in Tiberias.[1]

The tomb of Rabbi Abulafia in the old cemetery of Tiberias.

Abulafia Synagogue, Tiberias

He is the author of several works:

1. "Mikrae Kodesh" (Holy Convocations), Smyrna, 1729, containing treatises on Biblical and Talmudical themes;
2. "Yosef Lekach" (Increase of Learning), Smyrna, 1730–32, a work in three volumes on the Pentateuch;
3. "Yashresh Ya'akob" (Jacob Will Take Root), Smyrna, 1729; and
4. "Shebut Ya'akob" (The Captivity of Jacob), Smyrna, 1733, an elaborate commentary on the haggadic compilation "'Ein Yaakov," by Jacob ibn Habib and others.

References

1. Barnay, J. (1992). The Jews in Palestine in the eighteenth century. University of Alabama Press. p. 149. ISBN 0-8173-0572-6.

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Kayserling, Meyer (1901–1906). "Abulafia, Abraham ben Samuel". In Singer, Isidore; et al. (eds.). The Jewish Encyclopedia. New York: Funk & Wagnalls. Its bibliography:

• Steinschneider, Cat. Bodl. col. 820.