Aleppo Tales [Paperback]

Haim Sabato (Author), Hayim Sabato (Author), Rabbi Haim Sabato (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2005

The Jewish community of Aleppo in Syria, the biblical Aram Soba is one of the world's most ancient, guardian of the famous Keter Torah scroll, and boasting a synagogue dating back to the Second Temple.

In this collection of three tales, the central novella, The Wheel Turns Full Circle, is a rare gem. Sabato interlaces the history of one family with the social and political turmoil spanning over a century; it pivots around an heirloom, a Hanukkah lamp that has made its way into the Louvre. Broken Tablets is an elegy to the lost generation of pious scholars from the Sephardic communities who immigrated to Israel in the 1950s. Truth from the Earth shall Spring explores the mystery of a rare manuscript whose existence has been suppressed for generations after a tragic death in the family.

A master of Hebrew ancient and modern, Sabato has been hailed as Agnon's successor. Philip Simpson's translation from the originally entitled Emet Mi Eretz Titzmach lifts a veil on a lost world, letting us glimpse the courtly nuances of communal rituals in this bygone era.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

HAIM SABATO descends from a long line of rabbis from Aleppo, Syria. His family had lived in Egypt for two generations, before moving to Israel when he was six. He served in the tank corps in the 1973 Yom Kippur War, and today teaches at a Yeshiva near Jerusalem which he founded. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 269 pages
• Publisher: Toby Press (July 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592641261
• ISBN-13: 978-1592641260
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,287,471 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful multifaceted story, October 16, 2003

By 

Leah Aharoni (Kohav Yaakov, Israel) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aleppo Tales (Hardcover)

In this volume, Rabbi Haim Sabato takes his readers through the maze of traditions, characters, and stories of his native Syrian Jewish heritage.

Wonderful reading.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Religious Tradition and Faith Define Community, April 7, 2005

By 

Erika Borsos "pepper flower" (Gulf Coast of FL, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Aleppo Tales (Hardcover)

What I expected was a volume of short stories about life in Aleppo, Syria ... I found this and much more. What I discovered was a wonderful saga where the religious traditions, the foundation of life in Aleppo, became a golden thread which connected the lives of several generations of descendants from Aleppo, some of whom were faithful and a few who were tempted to stray from religious practice and how they returned to the traditions of their ancestors. In this book the reader discovers how religious values, practice, and faith provides the strength for different generations from this community to live through difficult times, build meaningful lives now and for future generations ... no matter where they live in the world.

Passages from the Torah are interspersed, various religious holidays are discussed in proper context, specific religious terminology is used appropriately and with emphasis within certain passages ... the uninitiated reader gets a true flavor of the culture and depth of religious practice which is extremely important in the lives of the characters all of whom have roots in Aleppo. I was thoroughly impressed with how the author used a nonlinear approach to weave the past and present throughout the stories in this book. This approach made them even more real. The inclusion of the lyrics of certain hymns during religious holidays and the description of specific religous practices provides a cohesive bond in the stories.

One story involved a mystery about why a particular line in a hymn had been changed. The main character uncovered how a serious dissension within a religous community resulted in an important hymn being altered. Another appealing story was about a very intelligent student from Aleppo who won a scholarship to study in Paris and that he failed to follow his religious teaching. He became a protestor and held very strong political convictions; he was sincere and had many followers. By chance he visited the Louvre where he found a menorah which looked familiar. Upon closer inspection he saw his family name engraved on the menorah ... how this occurrence changed his life is worth discovering. There are many stories within each chapter that are just as poignant and heart-warming. The last chapter in the book shows how a synagogue in Israel chose their rabbi and how a much beloved and revered rabbi from Aleppo received this honored position. There is also a surprise ending that is filled with dignity, honor and respect. My interest was held by each story and chapter. Wisdom is revealed throughout the book along with the fascinating religious, spiritual and cultural contents.
Erika Borsos (erikab93)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gem, May 24, 2007

By 

Robert Tolchin - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Aleppo Tales (Paperback)

This book is a true gem! I recommend it, and Sabato's other two books, 1000%.