The world of Jewish liturgical music is mourning the sudden death of Rabbi Meir Aboud, a distinguished cantor and Torah reader who dedicated his life to preserving the authentic musical traditions of Aleppo Jewry. He was 75.
Rabbi Aboud felt unwell at his home yesterday evening around 6:00 PM and headed toward a medical clinic. While still in the building's lobby, he managed to call emergency services to report his condition, but moments later collapsed and lost consciousness.
Emergency responders who arrived at the scene performed extended resuscitation efforts while rushing him to the hospital. Despite their attempts, he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Family members noted that he had been hospitalized in recent weeks after not feeling well.
A Master of the Aleppo Liturgical Tradition
Born and raised in Tel Aviv, Rabbi Aboud showed exceptional qualities and a pure, pleasant voice from an early age. Over the years, he became renowned in cantorial circles and Torah reading, meticulously preserving the authentic melodies and customs of the Sephardic tradition, particularly the liturgical heritage of Aleppo (Haleb) Jewry.
His Torah reading was legendary for its precision and fluency, with special attention to matching each biblical narrative—from the sale of Joseph to the Golden Calf incident, from Korach's rebellion to the giving of the Torah—to its appropriate maqam (musical mode) and traditional melody.
For approximately 30 years, Rabbi Aboud served as the regular cantor and Torah reader at the Ner Yosef synagogue, in the legendary 6:30 AM minyan (known as "Aharonov's minyan"), where he uplifted worshippers' hearts on Sabbaths, holidays, and the High Holy Days.
In 2005, he released his celebrated album "Shirat HaMo'adim" (Songs of the Festivals), along with additional albums of holiday songs and liturgical poems that brought the musical heritage of Aleppo Jewry and Jerusalem traditions into Jewish homes throughout Israel.
While working for years as an accountant at the Angel bakery in Jerusalem's Kiryat Moshe neighborhood, Rabbi Aboud remained devoted to Torah study. During his travels and commutes, he made use of every free moment to read Torah texts and study pamphlets. Those who knew him described a personality that radiated joy, warm humor, and exceptional kindness.
He is survived by a blessed generation: his sons Rabbi Eliyahu, Rabbi Pinchas, and Rabbi Yishai, along with sons-in-law who are Torah scholars.
Cantor Yechiel Nahari eulogized him: "When I would see Rabbi Meir serve as cantor, I felt his pure fear of Heaven, something difficult to find. He made himself small, was humble, modest and unassuming, never taking credit for himself. A true righteous man, beloved above and beloved below."
Late Tuesday night, thousands accompanied Rabbi Aboud to his final rest at Har HaMenuchot cemetery in Jerusalem, where he was laid to rest.
May his memory be a blessing.
