Jacob ibn Jau

Jacob ibn Jau was a wealthy Jewish silk merchant and manufacturer, and nasi (leader) of the Jews in Muslim Spain (including parts of Morocco). Jacob was residents of Cordoba, and with his brother sought the favor of al-Manṣūr, chamberlain to the caliph Hishām II, and virtual ruler of Muslim Spain. They presented a gift of gold and luxurious silk clothing to al-Manṣūr, thereby impressing him with their wealth and prestige. The caliph appointed him nasi of Jewry throughout the kingdom, and Cordoba Jewry made the office a hereditary position for Jacob’s descendants. One year after his appointment, Jacob failed to produce the sum of money in taxes demanded of the Jews by al-Manṣūr, and the latter had him imprisoned. However, one year later Jacob was reinstated as nasi. After his death, he was remembered for his generosity to the poor.