Morocco Rabbis
Index of Ben Naim, Yosef. Malkhei Rabanan. Jerusalem, 5691 (1931).
On Morocco Rabbis: Malkhei Rabanan, written by Rabbi Yosef Ben Naim, is a biographical dictionary of Morocco Rabbis. Published in Jerusalem in 1931, the book is an essential source for anyone dealing with the Moroccan Rabbis and their printed or manuscript writings.
From the time it has been published, Malkhei Rabanan has contributed to the knowledge of scholars, while less educated persons found it difficult to use. Indeed, the biographical articles are alphabetically classified by…the Rabbis' given names without any logical order inside a single given name. Another disadvantage is the fact that the whole book is written in archaic Hebrew language and style.
Fig 1. Cover of Malkhei Rabanan
While indexing this dictionary, I tried to make a compromise between the strict rules of transliteration and the common spellings of the names. The book of Abraham Laredo "Les noms des Juifs du Maroc. Madrid, 1978" was used in many cases as a reference.
As to the given names, there were not any problem. I have respected the numeration given by Ben Naim, when people with the same surname had also an identical given name. That's why the reader will see for example: Aben Danan Saadia I, Aben Danan Saadia II and Aben Danan Saadia III. Where it was clear enough, the father's and even the grandfather's names have been added.
The column "Notes", contains first the locality were the man was Rabbi. These localities are written according to the French spelling, as this is still that language used in the maps of Morocco. So you'll find Tanger and not Tangier, Tetouan and not Tetuan etc..Then come all the details found like: birth & death, family relation etc…The Hebrew calendar was used in the original and so I did. That's why you'll find dates like 5349 or 5620 etc..
I would like to underline the fact that the role of Rabbi was very often hereditary. This point is enlightened by some big Rabbinical dynasties like the ABEN DANAN (37 Rabbis), ABENSUR (32), BERDUGO (35), SARFATI (30), SERERO (26) and TOLEDANO (53).
1,700 names have been indexed, covering a period generally beginning from the time of the 1492 Expulsion from Spain till the twenties of the 20th cent.
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Abbreviations used in the index of Malkhei Rabanan
Abbr In full
b. ben = son
beg. beginning
d. died
E.Y. Erets Yisrael
sign. signed a document
4-5th cent. between the 4th & 5th cent.
4th cent. 1540- 1640
5th cent. 1640- 1740
6th cent. 1740- 1840
In case you find someone of your family and you want more details, please contact me at: [email protected] Mathilde Tagger
