Yaakov ben Chananel Sikili

Rabbi Yaakov ben Chananel Sikili was a rabbi in the 13th and 14th centuries, and a student of the Rashba. He lived in Cordoba, Spain, but in 1317 took an oath, together with a friend, to emigrate to the Land of Israel within two years. Sikili sold his possessions and prepared to go, but was prevented from going due to a report that Portuguese war ships were on the lookout for Jews and Muslims at sea, planning to “plunder and rob” them. He ultimately settled in Damascus, where he served as a halakhic authority and gave classes on the weekly Torah portion.