Judah ("Rabbi Mor")

Chief rabbi of the Jews in Portugal and treasurer of King Don Diniz, with whom he enjoyed great favor; died before 1304. He was very wealthy; in 1298 he lent 6,000 livres to Don Raimund de Cardona for the purchase of the city of Mourão. A document dated Oct. 2, 1303, bears the signature "En Judaz Arraby a vij." He was succeeded in office by his son Don Guedelha (Gedaliah), who was also treasurer of the queen mother Donna Brites; the high favor he enjoyed with the king was used in the interests of his coreligionists. The king presented him with two towers at Beja to supply him with the building material for his houses.

Bibliography:

  * Brandão, Monarchia Lusitana, v. 265, vi. 26;
  * Ribeiro, Dissertacioẽs, iii. 2, 19;
  * Kayserling, Gesch. der Juden in Portugal, pp. 19 et seq.;
  * J. Mendes dos Remedios, Os Judeus em Portugal, pp. 139 et seq.;
  * Rios, Hist. ii. 39.



G. M. K.