Rabbi Yaakov Beirav (1474-1546) was one of the most bold and visionary rabbinic leaders of his generation. He made a daring attempt to restore Semicha — rabbinic ordination in an unbroken chain from Moses — which had lapsed for centuries. In 1538 he convened the leading sages of Tzfat and ordained them, believing the time had come to restore this chain. Though the attempt ultimately failed due to opposition, it demonstrated the extraordinary spiritual ambition of Tzfat’s rabbinic community. He was the teacher of Rabbi Yosef Karo.