Caslari, Israel Ben Joseph Halevi (Known As Crescas Caslari)

Physician and poet, lived at Avignon in 1327. He was the author of a liturgic poem for Purim, beginning with the words . In a manuscript of this poem ("Rev. Et. Juives," ix. 116) the signature contains the words , from which Neubauer concludes that Crescas Caslari belonged to the family of the Yiẓhari. This opinion, shared by Zunz, is criticized by Gross, who holds that the appellation is merely honorary, as it is in the Bible (Zech. iv. 14).

According to Zunz ("Z. G." p. 466), Caslari was the author of a poem on the story of Esther and Mordecai, which he translated into the vernacular. A fragment of a Provençal poem by Maestro Crescas has been published in "Romania" (April, 1892). Caslari also translated Arnaud de Villeneuve's medical work entitled "Liber de Regimine Sanitatis," dedicating it to Jaime II. of Aragon.

Bibliography:

  * Renan-Neubauer, Les Ecrivains Juifs Français, pp. 647-650;
  * Zunz, Literaturgesch. p. 504;
  * Gross, Gallia, Judaica, pp. 7, 257.



G. S. K.