For many Jews across the world, a central element of Ḥanukka is the kindling of fire throughout the eight nights of the holiday. While many of us—Sephardic and Ashkenazic alike—are familiar with the method of lighting taught by Hillel, one Sephardic community explicitly deviates from this widespread custom. For Spanish Jews who arrived in Aleppo…
Joseph Mosseri
About Author
Joseph Mosseri
Joseph Mosseri is the Brooklyn Syrian Jewish community's local historian. His expertise and knowledge span many areas related to Sepharadim and the development of their culture, history, and Halakha. His affinity for collecting rare and important teshuḇot and siddurim has helped fuel his knowledge. Devoted to preserving Sephardic culture, he has compiled and edited many books for the community, as well as given lectures on a wide variety of topics. He is an expert on Sephardic Ḥazzanut and co-founder of a forum dedicated to preserving Levantine and Egyptian ḥazzanut. He is often consulted and interviewed by researchers and historians for his valuable input and insight.