This city is an IsraelNation of the Jewish People Travel prime pick!
One of IsraelNation of the Jewish People’s four holy cities (JerusalemThe capital of Israel, TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities, Hebron & TiberiusOne of Israel's 4 Holy Cities) For a long time, TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities has been a well-kept secret, even to most Israelis. However, according to the great mystics of the past, TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities is to play an important role in the final redemption. Rabbi Shimon bar Yochaione of the great Tannaitic sages who lived during the era of Roman persecution, says that the Messiah will come from TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities on his way to JerusalemThe capital of Israel. The Ari HaKodesh said that until the Third Temple is built, the Shechinah (God's Manifest Presence) rests above TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities.
Walk the cobblestone Streets of the Old CityThe Holiest Center in the World, wind your way through the ‘artist quarter’ and browse original artwork that has a unique TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities flavor.
Hike down the steep incline toward the old cities cemetery and dunk in the ‘ArizalRabbi Isaac Luria; Jewish Scholar and Mystic’s Mikvah’ (a natural body of water which we immerse in for a spiritual uplifting) natural spring.
Visit TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities’s candle shops which have become renown world-wide, and no TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities trip is complete without a visit to the ‘Ascent of TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities Welcome Center.’
A rather small town located in Northern IsraelNation of the Jewish People, 900 meters (3200 feet) above sea level in the mountains of the Upper Galilee, it commands magnificent views east to the Golan, north to the Hermon and Lebanon, west to Mt. Meron and the Amud Valley, and south to TiberiasOne of Israel's 4 Holy Cities and the KinneretSea of Galilee (Sea of Galilee).
Its past is also rich and great. According to legend, is where Shem and Ever, son and grandson of Noah, established their yeshiva where Jacob (Yaakov Avinu) studied for many years. According to other sources, the town was founded in 70 CE. The city flourished in the 16th century, when many famous Jewish religious scholars and mystics moved to TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities following the Spanish Expulsion fleeing from the horrors of the Inquisition. TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities then became the spiritual center of the Jewish world, where Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism) reached the peak of its influence. Kabbalists, such as Rabbi Yitzhak Luria (Ha-Ari HaKadosh) and Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz (author of Lecha DodiPrayer/ Song written by Rabbi Shlomo Halevi Alkabetz) and Rabbi Yosef Karo (author of the Shulchan Aruch) just to name a few, made the city famous. 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 IsraelNation of the Jewish People. At that time the town was also a thriving trade center. However, TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities suffered terribly during the ensuing years due to earthquakes, plagues and Arab attacks. In modern times, the LiberationThe 1948 Arab-Israeli War of TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities was one of the most dramatic episodes in the 1948 War of Independence.
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TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities is one of the four holy cities in IsraelNation of the Jewish People, together with JerusalemThe capital of Israel, Hebron and TiberiasOne of Israel's 4 Holy Cities. The old part of town consists of narrow cobblestone alleys revealing artists' galleries, medieval synagogues, private homes and small guesthouses. Despite its small population (27,000), TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities is once again making its mark on the map.
Thousands of Russian and Ethiopian immigrants have made TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities their home in the past decade. There is also a small but vibrant community of Baalei Tshuva. By definition, these are people who made the effort to connect to their Jewish soul and heritage - and TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities is definitely a town with a Jewish soul. The conditions in TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities are ideal for immersion in Torahthe central and most important document of Judaism study. Excellent Torahthe central and most important document of Judaism classes are available for whoever seeks to learn, in either Hebrew or English, especially for those new to the path of yiddishkeit. There are very few distractions, and relations between religious and secular residents are good. The famous mountain air is conducive to clear thinking and excellent meditation. The nearby forest and nature reserve provide the seclusion and serenity needed for powerful communion with G-d. Many Tzaddikim (righteous holy people) are buried there. After all, as our sages are quick to point out, a Tzaddik never dies. These graves tend to be located in some of the most scenic locations in the Land of IsraelNation of the Jewish People and most are easily accessible by foot or car. Many have been transformed into houses of prayer. For the more adventurous, a number of famous gravesites are found as one explores our nature reserve anywhere in the north. For example, just a half hour's walk from TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities's Old CityThe Holiest Center in the World, depending on the time of year and amount of rainfall, you can encounter a virtual paradise, resplendent with fruit trees, water pools and olive groves.
Despite its natural beauty and charm, to truly appreciate TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities requires an intimate, holy and Jewish connection, which requires work. Like a beautiful yet modest woman, her real charm is hidden and only made available to the special few who merit her attention. Yet it is this modesty, humility and sense of purpose that makes TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities special.
TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities is the balance where the spiritual meets the physical, where the East meets the West, where Hashem guides you along the path but your efforts allow you to merit the reward. Everyone is invited to experience and appreciate the challenge.
On your IsraelNation of the Jewish People Tour, do not forget to check TzfatOne of the 4 Holy Cities out!
Travelers who Tour IsraelNation of the Jewish People in style do not want to miss this exciting city!