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Safed
Located in Israel's northern region atop a mountain overlooking the Sea of Galille, Safed is one of Judaism's four holy cities (along with Jerusalem, Tiberias and Hebron). With its narrow winding streets and old stone houses, Safed is also one of Israel's most picturesque cities, rivaled only by Jerusalem and Jaffa.
While Jerusalem, with its plethora of synagogues and yeshivas, has long since been known as the great center of Jewish learning, Safed has earned a reputation for being the epicenter of Jewish mysticism. It is here, on the pastoral hillside of Israel's lushes northern territory, that Kabbala - a complimentary study to traditional Jewish scriptures, dealing with the mystical aspects of the Torah—flourished. Indeed, as early as the 16th century, the time of the Ottoman Turks' rule over Palestine, rabbis and sages settled in Safed, making it a major tourist destination for Jews wishing to receive blessing, obtain sage advice, or simply honor the elderly wisemen.
Despite the numerous tragedies that befell the city throughout the centuries (namely the great earthquake which hit the region in the 1837), Safed's reputation as a religious tourist destination remained in tact. Today as much as ever Safed is a prominent tourist site, perfect for those on a Jewish heritage tour, a Bar Mitzvah tour or a Bat Mitzvah tour. With its beautifully restored ancient architecture and its longstanding history, Safed is a destination not to be missed by anyone on a tour to Israel.
16 th Century Safed - A Hub of Jewish Mysticism, Poetry and Literature
Due to Safed's strategic location atop a mountain, it has been historically considered an important observation post. During the rule of the Crusaders over Palestine, Safed was often used as a battleground where Muslim Arabs residing in the area fought the Christian Crusaders.
The continuous battling made for difficult living conditions for the Jewish community in the city (which, by and large, was made up of scholars rather than army men). It was only in the 16 th century, when the Turks overtook the city, that Safed's Jewish community was granted some peace. But it was much more that merely peace that the Jews received from the Ottomans; it was the liberty to practice their religion freely and without restraint.
Indeed, the era of the Ottoman rule over Palestine marks the golden age of Safed. It was a time when Jewish refugees of the Spanish Inquisition were greeted with open arms and allowed to settle within the city walls. A time, furthermore, when religious scholars and Hebrew poets dominated Safed, earning the city its bohemian character. It was here that the famous hymn sung during the Sabbath dinner, "Lekha Dodi" ("To You My Beloved"), was composed by Rabbi Shlomo Halevi Alkabetz.
Jewish mysticism, Kabbalah and religious law became trendy commodities and were devotedly practiced. It was is Safed, during this glorious time, that Rabbi Yosef Caro created the Shulhan Arukh, later added to the Jewish prayer book.
The Old City of Safed - Remembering a Splendid Past
Modern day Safed is a mix of ancient architecture and contemporary urban design, which, together, keep the city's mystical ambiance. The fusion of old and new has not only kept the city's beauty in tact, but has also brought about the city's unique demographic.
Indeed, while the Old City of Safed maintains its traditional, religious facade (the city empties out during the Sabbath, making way for a silent tranquility that may take some getting used to), the surrounding neighborhoods are vastly secular and bustling with life. As you make your way through the Old City of Safed, you will likely notice that many buildings are painted blue. This is a token of good luck, both in Jewish and Muslim cultures.
Especially interesting is the artist's colony located on the outskirts of the Old City of Safed. Here you will find a variety of galleries - from internationally renown artists to young, obscure, ones - making it a sight not to be missed when on a tour to Israel.
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