A report on Jacob Berab, Joseph Karo and Semikhah

Plaque outside the burial cave of Jacob Berab, Safed, Israel
Artistic conception of Karo's appearance. Painting of 19th century
Example semikhah certificate, Yadin Yadin, of Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan awarded by Rabbi Eliezer Yehuda Finkel. The wording, as is typical, states that the holder is learned in Shas (ש״ס) – i.e. has wide knowledge of Talmud – as well as in Rishonim and Acharonim – i.e. has deep knowledge of Halakha; the phrase "כל מן דין סמוכין לנא" is often included, and translates "anyone of this [caliber] may be ordained for us".
Synagogue of Maran, R. Joseph Karo, in Safed
Karo's grave in Safed
Title page of Karo's Shulchan Aruch

Jacob Berab (יעקב בירב), also spelled Berav or Bei-Rav, (1474 – April 3, 1546), was an influential rabbi and talmudist best known for his attempt to reintroduce classical semikhah (ordination).

- Jacob Berab

At Safed he met Jacob Berab and was soon appointed a member of his rabbinical court.

- Joseph Karo

Berab exerted great influence upon him, and Karo became an enthusiastic supporter of Berab's plans for the reinstitution of semicha (rabbinical ordination) which had been in abeyance for over 11 centuries.

- Joseph Karo

Berab then ordained a few other rabbis, including the chief Rabbi of Jerusalem Levi ibn Habib, rabbi Joseph Caro, rabbi Moses of Trani, and rabbi Yosef Sagis.

- Jacob Berab

In 1538 Rabbi Jacob Berab of Safed, Land of Israel, attempted to restore the traditional form of semikhah.

- Semikhah

Berab then conferred semikhah through a laying on of hands to four rabbis, including Joseph Karo, who was later to become the author of the Shulchan Aruch, widely viewed as the most important code of Jewish law from the 17th century onwards.

- Semikhah
Plaque outside the burial cave of Jacob Berab, Safed, Israel

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