Aharon Yarimi: A Life of Music, Faith, and Yemeni Tradition

Aharon Yarimi was born to parents of Yemeni origin in Rosh HaAyin, where he still lives today. He is married, a father of three, and has been involved in music for over 40 years.

A Spark of Nostalgia

“From as far back as I can remember, music has been the love of my life. I clearly recall that at a very young age, I would sit with friends from the neighborhood in Rosh HaAyin, and we would sing and play together. We didn’t have musical instruments, so we used tin cans, pots, spoons, and forks, drumming and singing in bomb shelters and in people’s homes.

“Another memory that has accompanied me from childhood until today is one deeply etched in my heart, connected to the Yom Kippur War. I think about this story quite often, but every year, as Yom Kippur approaches, those memories naturally resurface with even greater intensity.

“My late parents lived near the ‘Albom’ Synagogue, named after a famous Torah scroll. Every Yemeni Jew knows the stories associated with this synagogue. People would come from all over the country to pray there, especially during the High Holidays.

“In 1973, the year the Yom Kippur War broke out, I was only nine years old. The cantor, singer, and poet Aharon Amram, who served as the chief cantor of the Albom Synagogue, led the prayers and deeply moved the congregation. The atmosphere was profoundly holy, similar to the atmosphere of Yom Kippur. No elaboration is needed.

“Suddenly, in the middle of the prayer, Home Front Command soldiers entered the synagogue and, to everyone’s astonishment, asked him to stop the prayers and the piyutim. They requested that the cantor, in the middle of the service, join them and enlist in the army for the war that was about to begin. They said it was an emergency and that he needed to join them.

“It’s easy to understand how powerful such a sight would be for a nine-year-old child. Beyond that, I remember not fully understanding what was happening — it all felt very strange to me. If that weren’t enough, immediately afterward I went outside and saw the congregation of righteous people I had known since childhood, getting into their cars and driving away in the midst of the holiest day for the Jewish people.

“I will never forget what I saw as a nine-year-old during the Yom Kippur War. I was shocked and shaken. Incidentally, every time I meet Aharon Amram to this day and remind him of that terrible Yom Kippur — the one we would all rather forget, he tells me emotionally that it deeply affected him as well. Apparently, even adults experienced it as a significant trauma. It truly was an unimaginable day.”

A Spark of Judaism

“My late father placed great importance on Torah study according to the Yemeni tradition, learned from the mori (teacher). Fortunately, I greatly loved reading from the Torah in the Yemeni chant, and I still do today. I fondly remember the days when all the children in the neighborhood would gather at the mori’s home. It was a very powerful experience.

“Later on, in our synagogue, I became something of a favorite because of the voice God blessed me with, and so I was almost always called up to read from the Torah.”

A Spark of Inspiration

“My father loved to sing and to read from the Torah, and he is therefore my main inspiration and role model. In addition, Rabbi Shalom Shabazi is a great source of inspiration for me, because of his unique poetry and his remarkable personality.

“Yemeni singing is also an inseparable part of my work, largely thanks to my mother, Afiya, who would sing at every opportunity. Even while cooking or doing housework, she never stopped singing.”

A Spark of Mitzvah

“I feel a very strong connection to acts of kindness. Volunteering and helping others were a central part of the education we received at home. Whenever the opportunity arises, I perform in hospitals and senior centers — especially the center where my mother spent many years, which made the place especially close to my heart.

“Beyond that, I also love studying Torah, particularly the weekly Torah portion, and focusing on a specific idea that appears in it and drawing practical lessons for the here and now.”

A Spark of Prayer

“I pray and put on tefillin every day. In prayer, the moment I connect with most deeply is the recitation of Shema. That is my most personal and intimate moment with the Holy One, blessed be He.

“In my daily work, which of course revolves around music, I have recently begun incorporating songs of prayer. One that has especially touched my heart is ‘Refa’enu Hashem,’ which, thank God, has touched many people.”

A Spark of Resilience

“The motto that accompanies me is that if there is faith, there is no worry. I believe that everything that happens comes from God and is for the good. When there is faith and trust in God, coping becomes much easier, because many times in my life I have seen that ‘God’s salvation comes in the blink of an eye.’ Truly so.”