- Hacham Bashi Laniado

Rabbi Shemuel Laniado becomes the first of his family to be appointed chief rabbi of the Sepharadim in approximately 1565. Laniado was a grandson of a Spanish exile and a renowned scholar. He authored a series of scholarly works, whose titles each begin with the word “eli.” In recognition of this, he was referred to as the Baal Ha Kelim. Members of his family occupied this position for six or seven consecutive appointments until 1805, with the passing of Chief Rabbi Efraim Laniado.

(Image of the grave of Chief Rabbi Efraim Laniado, Cave of the Righteous cemetery, Aleppo Great Synagogue.)