My palate speaks your praise: For the Sabbath before Purim

The scribe and copper engraver Meshullam Zimmel ben Moses of Polna was active in Prague, Polna (in Bohemia), and Vienna in the early eighteenth century. He was one of the most important Jewish scribes and artists of the eighteenth century. His patrons for his work as a scribe included the wealthiest Viennese court Jews of the time, but it is likely that he needed to work as a copper engraver in order to earn a living. Most of his works were privately commissioned small prayerbooks and Haggadahs.

Jacob Ibn Tsur was one of the greatest Moroccan rabbis of his time. He was a learned talmudist, a highly productive author, and judge, and gained a reputation as a practical kabbalist. Ibn Tsur spent most of his life in Fez, apart from periods in Meknes (1717–1730) and Tétouan (1738–1740). He was not afraid to confront even the most powerful figures in the community and at times found himself involved in disagreements. In addition to his published responsa, Mishpat u-tsedakah be-Ya‘akov (Judgment and Righteousness [Are] in Jacob), a number of works by Ibn Tsur have survived in manuscript form. In addition, he composed many piyyutim (liturgical poems), among them laments for the Ninth of Av that were incorporated into the Moroccan Jewish canon.