[or Kalir, Qalir]. Hebrew liturgical poet, whose hymns (piyyutim) are found in profusion in the festival prayers of the German synagogal rite. The age in which he lived is unknown. Some (basing the view on Saadias Sefer ha-galuy) place him as early as the 6th century, others regard him as belonging to the 10th century. Kalirs style is powerful but involved; he may be described as a Hebrew Browning.
Some beautiful renderings of Kalirs poems may be found in the volumes of Davis & Adlers edition of the German Festival Prayers entitled Service of the Synagogue. See also Palms and Myrtles.