A trip to the city of Safed in Israel is an immersive experience that one will not soon forget. To travel to Safed is to visit the heart of Jewish mysticism, steeped in spirituality, art, and mystery.
While walking through the city, you are embraced by a sense of warmth and surrounded by a feeling of sacredness. Despite its small size and number of inhabitants, Safed definitely has a large presence.
Over many centuries Safed has established itself as a significant holy place as well as a cultural and historical landmark. According to the great mystics of the past, Safed is to play an important role in the final redemption.
The Meam Loez, in the name of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, says that the Messiah will come from Safed on his way to Jerusalem. The Ari HaKodesh says that until the Third Beit HaMikdosh is built the Shechinah (God’s Manifest Presence) rests above Safed. The city itself is the place where the great teachers of Kabbala lived, worked, studied, and taught.
According to tradition, Safed was established by Shem, one of Noah’s sons. It is one of the highest points in all of Israel, and derives its name from the Hebrew word “tzafa” meaning “lookout.” The name of the city itself is sometimes spelled Tsfat, Tzefat, or Zfat.
Today many people find that Safed is the ideal place to study the Torah. A wide variety of classes are available for both English and Hebrew study, and many factors make Safed the ideal setting for this.
Within the city, relations between religious and non-religious groups are amicable. You’ll rarely find that a single car drives down the street on Shabbat. And Safed’s physical location makes it a great place for learning as well.
Many people feel inspired and exhilarated by the fresh mountain air and magnificent views. Safed is the highest city within Israel at an altitude of 2,790 feet. Its altitude tends to make it the coolest and breeziest place within the country as well, greatly contributing to its refreshing atmosphere.
One of the city’s most famous students and teachers of the Torah is the great Ari, Rabbi Yitzhak Luria. Today you can visit the very same synagogue where he went to pray and study, the Sephardi Ari, which was founded in 1522 and is the oldest synagogue in town. Legend dictates that, while Ari was praying one day, the Prophet Elijah appeared to him in this synagogue.
In addition to visiting its holy places, many tourists find inspiration in how simply picturesque Safed is. The Jewish quarter of the city is riddled with small hidden alleys and niches. It is dotted with beautiful old synagogues whose high ceilings and colorful decorations echo their ancient, rich past.
Many find that strolling from the cobblestone streets of the Jewish quarter to the magnificent houses of the artists’ quarter is much like ambling through a painting. One detail that people find most charming is that many homes have their front doors painted bright blue, which according to Kabbala symbolizes Heaven. Indeed, its elevated placement does make the city of Safed seem close to Heaven.
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