Aleppo Tales by Haim Sabato

Senor Franco and Senor De Piciotto were extremely close and fiercely loyal partners, negotiating in good faith and setting aside time for their Torah studies, awaiting salvation, and trusting in the Lord. And their hearts were joyful and their hands open to offer any kind of charity. And their pockets were one pocket, from which they took cash for their needs, and into which they put their proceeds. Scrap metal businesses, like most small businesses, sometimes prosper but more often are in decline, spending much and earning little, a wheel turning full circle and turning especially towards poverty. Their commerce, too, diminished almost to the point of collapse.

…They consulted on the matter, and decided to enlist another partner. He would invest money, and they would contribute their labor and their good name, and perhaps his luck would bring blessing and prosperity to their business, and the Almighty would look favourably upon them.

Said Senor Franco to Senor De Piciotto,"Tomorrow, you do the rounds by yourself and I shall go and look for a partner, and in the Lord's name we shall succeed."

They felt encouraged, trusted in the grace of the Lord, and went to their homes.

is the custom of the people of Aleppo that whenever troubles arise, a pilgrimage is made to the village of Tedef, a pleasant village with olive groves and orchards of almonds and apples, a sweet smell in the air, and only a few hours walk from Aleppo. In Tedef there is one fountain called the Ein El Azir, and it is a tradition among Jew and Gentile alike that it is named after our master, Ezra the Scribe, who used to bathe there. There is also a synagogue, and a sealed cave. It is said that a Torah scroll written by Ezra the Scribe is kept there. And it is there that they light candles, and make vows and pray and there prayers are answered.

Franco rose early and went to the village of Tedef. He went directly to the cave, lit candles and recited the opening section of the words of Elijah from the Zohar. He held out his hands in prayer to God and prayed with his broken heart that he and his partner might succeed in their business, enabling them to do the Lord's work without tribulation, enabling them to earn a livelihood in which there is neither shame nor dishonor, and that they might need no charity from flesh and blood. And he claimed no merit on their part, lest angelic prosecutors should come to investigate their dealings, but rather prayed that he might freely be granted this as a gift from God. Then he recited the Psalms melodically, and suddenly he rose and the words flew from his mouth: "O Lord eternal! What need have I of a partner of flesh and blood? You shall be our trusted partner!"

Being a God-fearing man he was alarmed at his own words and feared he might somehow have blasphemed against Heaven. Upon reflection he felt more at ease and vowed that of all the profit they made, one-third-the partner's share-would be given as charity to the sages of their city. And at once he arose joyfully and returned to Aleppo.

He did not go to his home but went directly to the great and ancient synagogue, which according to a tradition upheld by the sages of Aram Zova was built during the time of Jerusalem's Second Temple.

In the synagogue there is one cave where according to tradition, a revelation of Elijah the Prophet took place, and thus candles are lit there in times of tribulation.

Don Franco made his way to this synagogue to pray minha, the afternoon prayer, and the prayer was fluent on his lips and his heart was joyful. He gave praise and thanks to the Holy One, Blessed be He, and then he went on his way in peace. Within the great synagogue there was a wide corridor that was called the Midrash, where humble sages sat studying the Torah. As Don Franco was about to leave for his home, he saw a sage sitting there studying. As he gazed at him, he saw the sage's face light up with radiance such as he had never seen before. He was almost alarmed, and drew back from him. Fumbling in his pocket, he found one valuable coin, laid it before the sage and left.