Kalaẓ (Khallaṣ), Judah

Cabalist and moralist; lived in Algeria, probably at Tlemçen, at the beginning of the sixteenth century. The surname "Kalaẓ" is derived from the Arabic "khallaṣ" (= "collector of taxes"). Kalaẓ, was descended from a Spanish family, members of which settled in Algeria after the expulsion from Spain. A grandson of his, also named Judah, was rabbi at Tlemçen at the end of the sixteenth century. Kalaz was the author of a valuable work on ethics entitled "Sefer ha-Musar" (Constantinople, 1536-37). He frequently quotes the Zohar and other cabalistic works, which he held in great esteem.

Bibliography:

  * De Rossi, Dizionario, p. 89, s.v. Calz;
  * Zunz, Z. G. p. 253;
  * Steinschneider, Cat. Bodl. col. 1300;
  * idem, in J. Q. R. xi. 125;
  * Neubauer, in R. E. J. v. 47-52;
  * Bloch, Inscriptions Tumulaires, p. 20.



K. I. Br.