Yeshua`s Brother & Chief Rabbi of the Messianic Jewish Community James the Just (Ya`Akov HaTzaddik) Presents Applications of Torah By Dr. David Friedman with D.B. Friedman When we view Ya"acov (James) for who he was: a chief rabbi, a Torah scholar, a Bible commentator, and akin to a high court judge, then we can better understand the purpose of his book. One of the main thrusts of Ya"acov"s teaching is encouraging the practical application of the Torah"s teachings.