TIRADO, JACOB:
Convert to Judaism in Amsterdam in the sixteenth century; died in Jerusalem. With several Maranos he sailed from Portugal in a vessel which was driven out of its course to Emden in East Friesland. Following the advice of Rabbi Moses Uri ha-Levi, he continued his travels with his companions to Amsterdam. After his arrival there he confessed the Jewish faith openly, and afterward, though advanced in years, underwent the rite of circumcision.
Together with Jacob Israel Belmonte and Samuel Palache, Tirado founded the Spanish-Portuguese community of Amsterdam, being its first president. Having acquired a house on the Houtgracht, he transformed it into a synagogue, which was called after him "Bet Ya'aḳob," or "Casa de Jacob," and was consecrated at the New-Year's festival, 5358 (= Sept., 1597). Annually on Yom Kippur a special prayer in his behalf is recited as an acknowledgment of his important services to the community. In his old age Tirado traveled to Jerusalem, where he died. See Moses Uri b. Joseph ha-Levi.
- De Barrios, Casa de Jacob, pp. 3 et seq.;
- idem, Relacion do los Poetas, p. 53;
- D. H. de Castro, De Synagoge der Portugeesch-Israelitische Gemeente te Amsterdam, pp. 5, 7;
- Grätz, Gesch. ix., pp. lxxxiii. et seq.
