The Sheikh Al Yahud
In the 16th century Ottoman Syria-Palestine, The Sheikh al Yahud, leader of the Jewish community in Jerusalem, had an essential role in administering the day to day affairs of the community.
- Levi ibn Habib (b. Spain) - ruled from Jerusalem 1525–1553 but in 1538, Rabbi Jacob Berab who came from Spain via Egypt, sought to revive the Sanhedrin, in Safed, thus making that city, the competing capital of Israel. He was opposed and exiled by ibn Habib and the rabbis of Jerusalem but Safed remained the competing capital for a number of years thereafter. Berab was succeeded in Safed by Joseph Caro (b. Spain) (1540–1575) who was ordained by him.
- David ibn Abi Zimra of the Egyptian rabbinate - ruled simultaneously in Jerusalem (1553–1567) succeeding ibn Habib.
After the death of Joseph Caro (1575), the following rabbis ruled alternately from Safed and Jerusalem:
- Moshe Galante I (b. Rome) 1575–1580 - ruled from Jerusalem
- Moshe Trani (b. Greece) succeeded Caro in Safed.
- Haim Vital - succeeded Trani in Safed but moved his rabbinate to Jerusalem which, once again, became the sole capital of Israel. In 1586, the Ramban Synagogue was confiscated by the Arabs and the ben Zakkai Synagogue was built in its stead.
- Bezalel Ashkenazi 1586?–1592 - first chief rabbi to preside in the ben Zakkai Synagogue.
- Gedaliah Cordovero 1592–1627
- Isaac Gaon?
- Israel Benjamin
- Jacob Zemah (b. Portugal) 1645–1663
- Samuel Garmison (b. Greece) 1663–1665
Read more about this topic: List Of Jewish Leaders In The Land Of Israel