Hebrew name: מהר״י בירב
Years: 1474–1546
Primary city: Safed
Rabbi Yaakov Beirav was a Spanish-born scholar and leader of the Tzfas community. He sought to reinstitute formal semicha (rabbinic ordination) based on the Rambam's ruling, aiming to provide a halachic path for Marrano refugees. This initiative led him to ordain himself and four others, including Rabbi Yosef Karo, despite opposition from the Yerushalayim rabbinate.