Illuminated Aleph Bookmark by Jean-Jacques LEVI

SEBBAG family


SEBBAG (Samech-Beth-Aleph-Gimel) is a widely used surname in North Africa, particularly Morocco. (See Encyclopedia Judaica, vol. 4, p. 591.) The family originated in Southern Morocco near the oasis of Goulimine. Following the massacre of Nisfratim in Oufran (1790) the family took refuge in Mogador and then spread out into a number of cities including Meknes.

According to Les Noms des Juifs du Maroc by Abraham I. Laredo, the names ASSABAG, ESSEBAGH, ESSEBAKH, ESEBAG, SABAG and SEBAG all from the Arab word for dyer.

Dying wool and silk was a Jewish specialty since antiquity. During the middle ages, it was a sort of Jewish monopoly to such a degree that the tax on the Jews in Southern Europe was often called Tincta Judaeorum. This tradition is still preserved in Morocco, but is disappearing in the face of modern industry. During talmudic times this occupation was used as part of a person's name in the Armenian form Tzadik-Vet-Ayin-Aleph.

Reuven SEBBAG

Reuven SEBBAG married Yacot. Reuven is related to the SEBBAG-MONTEFIORE family. They lived in Meknes.

David SEBBAG

David SEBBAG was the brother of Reuven SEBBAG (above). David SEBBAG married Freicha TOBI. They had a few children.


Early SEBBAGs


Other SEBBAGs


Daniel E. LOEB, daniel.loeb at verizon.net