The vibrant heritage of Syrian Jewry comes alive in this magnificent history of Aleppo and its sages. Known since Biblical times as Aram Soba, the city was a scholarly and spiritual center for thousands of years. Hated, persecuted, and finally driven out of its ancestral home, this community still lives. From its seeds grow thriving communities in Israel, America, Mexico, and worldwide, including the great Yeshivah Porat Yosef of Jerusalem. Richly illustrated with hundreds of photos, including views of one of the oldest synagogues in the world, this beautiful volume contains biogaraphical information on several centuries of rabbis of Aleppo and Damascus - 600 of them - and their ideals, teachings and some of their best-loved pizmonim. It recounts the history of Aleppo, its inhabitants, their traditions and accomplishments, and the dramatic stories of brave people who saved the ancient Aleppo Codex from fire, mobs and exploiters. Aleppo - City of Scholars is a fascinating work and an authoritative reference. Yet it reads like a family chronicle - one that was written by a scion of Aleppo who both cherishes and reveres the luminous Judaism of this ancient community. |
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