Safed old city

Old Safed and surrounding

The holy city of Safad is located in Northern Israel, 900 meters (2952 feet) above sea level in the mountains of the Upper Galilee, it commands magnificent views east to the Golan, north-east to the Hermon, west to Mt. Meron and the Amud Valley, and south-east to Tiberias and the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee).

Safed is known to be one of the four holy cities in Israel, together with Jerusalem, Hebron and Tiberias.

The old city consists of narrow cobblestone alleys revealing artists’ galleries, medieval synagogues, private homes and small guest houses.

Safed is well known to play an important role in the final redemption. The Midrash, in the name of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, says that the Messiah will come from Safed on his way to Jerusalem. The Ari HaKadosh said that until the Third Temple is built, the Shechinah (God’s Manifest Presence) rests above Safed.

Its past is also rich and great. According to legend, Safed is where Shem and Ever, son and grandson of Noah, established their yeshiva where Jacob (Yaakov Avinu) studied for many years, which is located just as 150 metters from our place.

The city flourished in the 16th century, and became the spiritual center of the Jewish world, where Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism) reached the peak of its influence. To name just a few among the righteous among the sages who made the city famous are:

• Rabbi Yitzhak Luria – Ha-Ari HaKadosh.
• The author of Lecha Dodi, Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz.
• The author of the Shulchan Aruch, Rabbi Yosef Karo.

It was here that the first printing press in the Middle East was set up, publishing in 1578 the first Hebrew book to be printed in Israel. At that time the town was also a thriving trade center.

The famous clean mountain air is conducive to clear thinking and excellent meditation.

Everyone is invited to experience and appreciate the balance between spirituality and physicality, and the dynamic color of East and West, which embodies the alleyways of the holy city of Safed.

Links to attractions and information in Safed and the surrounding area:

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