יעקב אבוחצירה

Yaakov Abuhatzeira (also known as Abir Yaakov and Abu Hasira) (1806-1880), rabbi, born nd grew up in Tafilalt and eventually became the rabbi of the local community. He tried to make a pilgrimage to the Land of Israel a number of times, but each time the community prevented his departure. He was allowed to leave only after he convinced the Jews of Tafilalt that his son, Rabbi Masoud Abuhatzera can take care of the community.

Abuhatzeira started his pilgrimage via Algeria, Tunisia and Libya. While passing through the Egyptian Nile Delta city of Damanhour in 1879, he became ill and died. He was buried in Damanhour, where his tomb became a site of pilgrimage. Every year on the 19th of Tevet a ceremony is held at his tomb in Egypt, often attended by hundreds of devotees, many travelling from Israel. The tomb is an official antiquity site protected by the government of Egypt.

Abuhatzeira had four sons and one daughter. Rabbi Israel Abuhatzeira, the son of Rabbi Masoud Abuhatzeira and the grandson of Yaakov Abuhatzeira, also known as the Baba Sali, was a revered rabbi and kabbalist whose tomb in Netivot, Israel, is one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in Israel.