Category: History

Mystical City

These days, one of the most often-heard questions among tourists to Tzfat is “was Madonna here”?

Madonna, the pop-rock icon who is well-known for her study of Jewish mysticism, has made no secret of her fascination with Kabbalah, the “secrets” that are embedded in the Torah, or the Five Books of Moses. Madonna did indeed visit Tzfat, though she

did so in the dead of the night several years ago when her chances of being seen and recognized

would be low. After all, it is unlikely that the ultra-Orthodox residents of Tzfat who might be coming to or from prayers in the wee hours of the morning would know, or care, who Madonnais.The new interest in the study of Jewish mysticism, popularized by Madonna and her Hollywood friends, has put Tzfa

t on the map as the “City of Kabbalah“. Few, however, know why this is.

History of Kabbalah

Two thousand years ago, when the Roman army occupied the Land of Israel (then called by its Roman name, “Palestine”), one of the leading Rabbis who spoke out against the Roman rule was Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. Not surprisingly, the Romans issued a death decree against the Rabbi, and together with his son, Rabbi Elazar, Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai fled to a cave near the northern town of Peki’in to hide.

During these years of hiding, Rabbi Shimon was taught, through divine inspiration, the secrets which are hidden in the Torah. These secrets, it is believed, if properly understood, allow man to better understand G-d’s essence, and allow man to strengthen his relationship with G-d and his fellow man. When the death decree against Rabbi Shimon was revoked by the Romans, Rabbi Shimon began to travel throughout the North of Israel, teaching these secrets, which he had collected into the Book of Zohar.

Kabbalah and Tzfat

Throughout the next millennium, the study of Kabbalah was limited to a few select scholars of each generation. In the Middle Ages, many of these scholars made their way to Israel after the Spanish Expulsion of 1492, and of those, many came to Tzfat, which was believed to have a special connection to Kabbalah because of its proximity to the area where Rabbi Shimon had taught, as well as to Rabbi Shimon’s gravesite, on Mt. Meron. Among these scholars, Rabbi Isaac Luria, the ARI, came to Tzfat and he expanded Kabbalah study to new heights. After the death of the ARI, his students developed his teachings, and until today, the Kabbalah that is studied throughout the world is Luranic Kabbalah, named for the Rabbi who directed the system which would become the dominate genre of Kabbalah study throughout the world.

In Kabbalistic tradition, the Four Holy Cities of Judaism are each believed to embody an element of Nature.

Jerusalem is earth

Tiberias is water.

Hebron is fire

Tzfat is air

Anyone who has ever spent any amount of time in Tzfat can certainly tell you why this is so!

Safed is an ancient city and can trace its history all the way back to the time when the Temple stood in Jerusalem. Since that time, more than 2,000 years ago, the city has been continuously settled and occupied, a fact that has led to the city’s rich history and survival. Learn more about the many time periods of Safed and about the many people who contributed to the fascinating history of this city.

Biblical Safed

To learn more about Safed’s earliest history, check out our article on Biblical and Roman Era Safed. Find out more about the significance of the city during this time and discover the origins of how Safed became known as a sacred city to the Jewish people.

Crusader And Ottoman Safed

During the years 1099-1291, the Crusaders came to the land of Israel and conquered the city of Safed due to its strategic location atop a mountain. A great citadel was built by the Crusader army on the highest peak of the city to serve as a lookout and as protection for the army. Today the ruins of this citadel can still be viewed and archeologists are working on the restoration of this historic site.

Many years after the conquest of the Crusaders, during the 1500s, the Ottoman empire conquered the area and Safed became a city under direct Ottoman rule. Check out our article on Ottoman Safed and learn more about the city of Safed during these periods of foreign rule.

Kabbalah, Religion And Safed

To best understand Safed’s connection with Kabbalah and where it got its title ‘the city of Kabbalah,’ it is best to chec

k out our articles on the City of Kabbalah and Safed in the 16^th century. Also learn more about the many Rabbis who contributed to the rich religious history of the Safed, creating its image as a mystical city, by reading our articles on Rabbi Karo, Rabbi Cordovero, Rabbi Vitel, Rabbi Beirav, and Rabbi Luria, as well as our article on the historical synagogues of Safed.

Earthquakes In Safed

Safed sits near the great African-Syrian Rift, a very large fault line that runs from Turkey in the north, to Africa in the so

uth. Due to its location along this line, Safed has experienced many devastating earthquakes over the years. Check out our articles on earthquakes in Safed and learn how these earthquakes have shaped the look, mentality and legends of the city.

Safed is an ancient city and can trace its history all the way back to the time when the Temple stood in Jerusalem. Since that time, more than 2,000 years ago, the city has been continuously settled and occupied, a fact that has led to the city’s rich history and survival. Learn more about the many time periods of Safed and about the many people who contributed to the fascinating history of this city.

Biblical Safed

To learn more about Safed’s earliest history, check out our article on Biblical and Roman Era Safed. Find out more about the significance of the city during this time and discover the origins of how Safed became known as a sacred city to the Jewish people.

Crusader And Ottoman Safed

During the years 1099-1291, the Crusaders came to the land of Israel and conquered the city of Safed due to its strategic location atop a mountain. A great citadel was built by the Crusader army on the highest peak of the city to serve as a lookout and as protection for the army. Today the ruins of this citadel can still be viewed and archeologists are working on the restoration of this historic site.

Many years after the conquest of the Crusaders, during the 1500s, the Ottoman empire conquered the area and Safed became a city under direct Ottoman rule. Check out our article on Ottoman Safed and learn more about the city of Safed during these periods of foreign rule.

Kabbalah, Religion And Safed

To best understand Safed’s connection with Kabbalah and where it got its title ‘the city of Kabbalah,’ it is best to check out our articles on the City of Kabbalah and Safed in the 16^th century. Also learn more about the many Rabbis who contributed to the rich religious history of the Safed, creating its image as a mystical city, by reading our articles on Rabbi Karo, Rabbi Cordovero, Rabbi Vitel, Rabbi Beirav, and Rabbi Luria, as well as our article on the historical synagogues of Safed.

Earthquakes In Safed

Safed sits near the great African-Syrian Rift, a very large fault line that runs from Turkey in the north, to Africa in the south. Due to its location along this line, Safed has experienced many devastating earthquakes over the years. Check out our articles on earthquakes in Safed and learn how these earthquakes have shaped the look, mentality and legends of the city.