From Aleppo to Damascus: The Story of Syrian Jewry and Its Legacy

The Jewish communities of Aleppo and Damascus, with roots deeply embedded in the history of the Middle East, served for generations as vibrant centers of culture, Torah, and commerce. These communities thrived under various rulers, including the Babylonians, Romans, Arabs, and Ottomans, and significantly contributed to the Jewish world and the national identity of the State of Israel. Over time, due to waves of persecution, political tensions, and economic hardships, these once-grand communities vanished. However, their unique contributions remain etched in historical memory and Israeli culture.

The History of Aleppo's Jewish Community: Wisdom and Torah

Aleppo, biblically known as Aram Tzova, became a Jewish hub as early as the Second Temple period when exile communities migrated there following the destruction of the Temple. The community continued to flourish under various rulers, particularly during the Ottoman Empire.

There were periods when the Land of Israel was administratively governed from Syria, with Damascus community leaders overseeing communities in the land. The Mamluks, who ruled Syria from 1295, forced Jews from Tyre, Antioch, and Tripoli to relocate to Damascus and Aleppo, strengthening the Jewish presence in both cities.

The Aleppo Codex – A Symbol of Community Greatness

One of the most iconic symbols of Aleppo's Jewish community is the Aleppo Codex, a unique manuscript of the Hebrew Bible regarded as one of the most authentic and accurate versions. The codex was preserved for centuries in the great synagogue of Aleppo, standing as a testament to the community's cultural and religious wealth.

Following World War I and the fall of the Ottoman Empire, Syria came under the control of the Occupied Enemy Territory Administration North and was effectively ruled by Syrian nationalists until July 1920, when the Arab Kingdom of Syria fell and the French mandate began. In 1925, the Druze revolt erupted, and numerous Jewish residents of Damascus's Jewish quarter were affected. From 1928, Zionist immigration waves from Syria to Israel began, with young people joining various kibbutzim in the north and families mainly settling in Tel Aviv. In 1936, with the onset of the Great Arab Revolt in the Land of Israel, Syrian Jews also faced severe violence as Syrians suspected them of Zionism. In 1942, the Jewish quarter in Damascus was again attacked due to rumors that Syrian territories would become part of the future State of Israel. A 1943 census recorded 30,000 Jews in Syria. In January and May 1944, assaults on the Jewish neighborhood in Damascus occurred.

The Decline Due to Persecution

Syrian Jewry suffered greatly after Syria gained independence. In 1946, anti-Jewish riots broke out, and basic rights were stripped from Jews. In 1947, following the UN's partition plan, tragic riots took place in Aleppo and Damascus, delivering some of the harshest blows Syrian Jews had endured. The central synagogue in Aleppo was burned, and much property was destroyed or looted. Post the establishment of Israel, most of Syrian Jewry fled out of necessity, and of the 30,000 Jews who lived there before the exodus, only about 5,000 remained. About 1,700 who fled reached Israel. In 1948, the conditions worsened, revoking all civil rights from Jews and imposing heavy economic restrictions. From 1949, Jews were forbidden from leaving Syria.

From 1973, Jewish human rights activist Judy Feld Carr helped Chief Rabbi Abraham Hamra facilitate the escape of over 3000 Jews from Syria through smuggling and ransom payments. In the mid-1990s, President Hafez Assad met with Chief Rabbi Abraham Hamra and allowed Syrian Jews to leave, provided they pledged not to immigrate to Israel. Around 4,000 Jews had to surrender all assets to the government during their departure.

Due to severe persecution, Aleppo's Jews began a massive exodus, migrating mainly to Israel, the United States, and South America, bringing a close to one of the Middle East's most magnificent communities.

The Ancient Spiritual Hub of Damascus

The Damascus Jewish community was one of the largest in Syrian Jewry, peaking at around 15,000 members.

Damascus is first mentioned in the Torah as the city of Abraham's servant, Eliezer (Genesis 15:2). The city has been a significant geographical center through the ages, maintaining a notable Jewish presence during both the First and Second Temple periods.

Under Arab and Ottoman rule, Jewish life in Damascus flourished culturally and spiritually. Synagogues in the city served as influential spiritual centers, and Damascus rabbis were renowned for their expertise in Halacha and education.

The community continued growing with the arrival of Sephardic Jews expelled starting from 1492. Damascus became one of the pivotal centers for Kabbalah, welcoming renowned mystics like Rabbi Chaim Vital, originally from Safed, who also served in the Sicilian Jewish community. During this period, notable rabbis like Rabbi Yaakov Abulafia and poet-commentator Rabbi Israel Najara served in Damascus.

Damascus served as a hub for copying Biblical manuscripts, known as "Damascus Codices," preserved within the city's Jewish community, the most famous of which, the Damascus Codex, was compiled around 1260. An official Hebrew printing press only began operation in Damascus in 1605.

Other notable rabbis from Damascus include Rabbi Chaim Abulafia, Rabbi Chaim Nissim Abulafia, Rabbi Yitzchak Abulafia, Rabbi Shlomo Eliezer Alfandari, Rabbi Abraham Hamra, and Rabbi Yaakov Antebi.

The Blood Libel Incident

In 1840, Damascus Jews faced a notorious and painful episode known as the Damascus Blood Libel. The event accused Jews of murdering a Christian monk for ritual blood use, leading to brutal persecution. The local community's struggles and the aid received from Jews worldwide made the incident a defining moment in the community's history.

Similar to Aleppo, there was a drastic decline in the Damascus Jewish population mid-20th century. The Syrian regime's worsening treatment of Jews and numerous restrictions prompted the mass migration of Damascus Jews to Israel and the diaspora.

The Influence of Aleppo and Damascus Jewry on Israeli Identity

The rich traditions of Aleppo and Damascus Jews endure in Israel today. Their halachic texts, poems, unique customs, and dietary laws remain integral to the culture of Sephardic and Eastern communities in Israel.

Jewish scholars and rabbis from Aleppo and Damascus have become prominent figures in Israeli religious and cultural life. Rabbis like Ezra Attiya and Ovadia Yosef, with roots in these communities, led a spiritual revolution and influenced the formation of Sephardic Judaism in Israel.

Communities of Aleppo and Damascus descendants in Israel and worldwide maintain their unique identity through synagogues, schools, and cultural movements dedicated to preserving their heritage.

Though Aleppo and Damascus Jewry symbolized spiritual and cultural wealth, political changes in the Middle East almost completely erased them. Nonetheless, their legacy continues in Israel, impacting national, religious, and cultural identity. The memory of these grand communities serves as a testament to the Jewish people's strength and ability to preserve their heritage, even amidst crises and exile.