ELBAZ

ELBAZ , North African family noted for its rabbis. The Elbaz family originally lived in Azzaouia, *Morocco, from which it was expelled in 1668 by King Moulai Rashid along with 1,300 other families. They then settled in Fez and in Sefrou. Members of the family included moses ben maimon *albaz of tarrodant, author of Heikhal Kodesh, a kabbalistic commentary to the prayer book (Amsterdam, 1653), samuel ben isaac, author of Toledot Adam, a brief history up to the burning of the books in Italy (Venice, 1585), jacob, author of Toledot Ya'akov, sermons (Venice, 1609), and samuel ben isaac (1698–1749), talmudist and codifier, who was head of the bet din of Fez. He was a friend of Ḥayyim b. Moses Attar, who would make no legal decision without his consent. Samuel is the author of Va-Yomer Shemu'el, talmudic novel-lae (Casablanca, 1929); his other works are still in manuscript. Many of his decisions were published in Jacob Ibn Ẓur's Mishpat u-Ẓedakah be-Ya'akov (Alexandria, pt. 1, 1894; pt. 2, 1903). Some of his piyyutim are in manuscript at the Ben-Zvi Institute in Jerusalem (no. 2072). judah (1770–1847) was a codifier who headed the bet din of Sefrou. Many of his decisions were published in Avnei Shayish (2 pts., Jerusalem, 1930–34), and in his son's ḥayyei Amram. He was one of the major fundraisers for the kolelim in Ereẓ Israel. His son amram (1799–1857), codifier, judge, and poet, wrote Ḥayyei Amram (Meknes, 1949). Another son, samuel (1790–1844), left behind a manuscript work on Rashi, Ḥanokh la-Na'ar. raphael moses ((1823–1896), Samuel's son, was a talmudic scholar, kabbalist, poet, and scientist. He wrote many works, including Halakhah le-Moshe, responsa (Jerusalem, 1901); Shir Ḥadash, poems (Jerusalem, 1935); and Eden mi-Kedem (Fez, 1940). Still in manuscript are many of his writings, including Kisse ha-Melakhim, a history of ancient kings and of the Jews.

bibliography:

S. Bass, Siftei Yeshenim (Amsterdam, 1680), 400, nos. 20, 28; H. Ben-Attar, Peri To'ar (Lemberg [?], 1810), introduction; J.M. Toledano, Ner ha-Ma'arav (1911), 74, 107, 138, 142, 208; idem, Oẓar Genazim (1960), 88; J. Ben-Naim, Malkhei Rabbanan (1931), 44, 102, 107, 120–1; A. Elbaz, Ḥayyei Amram (1949), introduction.

[David Obadia]