From Wikitravel

Safed [1] (Hebrew: צפת Tsfat) is one of the oldest centers for Jewish learning and spirituality, home to the Kabbalah movement which is popular with celebreties.

[edit] Understand

It is the birthplace of the Kabbalah, and one of the main bastions for Torah study and the like during the centuries of Ottoman rule. It is one of the four holiest cities in Judaism, along with Hebron, Tiberias, and of course Jerusalem. While there are many stories about when it was founded, and by whom, it truly grew to prominence in the late 15th century when it became a refuge for Jews fleeing the Spanish Inquisition.

It is a cute, quaint city in the north of Israel, and has in recent years regained popularity, not only as a center for study, but also as an artists' colony.

[edit] Get in

There are direct buses from Jerusalem and Benei Baraq. See the Egged website for information on travel times and fares.

The Israel Railways only get as close as Akko, but from there it is possible to take a bus to Safed.

[edit] Get around

All of Safed is built in a circular fashion on a hilltop. There is a local bus company that runs several local lines around the town. Unofficially, cabs take a set fare for any destination in the town. This is usually cheaper than the metered value. Even more unofficially, you can get "sherut" service with the cabs at the price of the bus fare. On "sherut", the cabs travel the bus routes only.

[edit][add listing] See

Synagogues - there are a number of old, beautiful, and unique synagogues in Tsfat, some of them rather famous world-wide among the Jewish community. These include:

• The Ari Ashkenaz and the Ari Sephard synagogues both in memory of Rabbi Isaac Luria. The Ari Ashkenaz is normally open for visitors on weekdays and boasts an ornate ark. The Ari Sephard synagogue is only open for prayers on the Sabbath.

• The "Abuhav" synagogue is probably the most unique, most beautiful, and most famous. It was built in the 1490's according to Kabbalistic architectural and spiritual beliefs.
• The "Caro" synagogue is another popular landmark, established in the 16th century on the site of a yeshiva run by one of the chief rabbis of Tsfat, and a compiler of the Shulchan Aruch, a book of Jewish law.

Both of these synagogues follow Sephardic traditions, and both, along with all the synagogues in Tsfat, and most around the country and the world, expect all visitors to be dressed appropriately; this means one must have legs covered (no shorts or short skirts), no bare shoulders/upper arms, and all men must cover their heads.

The Ancient Cemetery is the burial place of many famous Rabbis and is a common destination for visitors to Tsfat looking for answers to their prayers. Some famous Jewish personalities buried there include:

• The Arizal (Rabbi Isaac Luria), the famous kabbalist of the 16th century.

• Rabbi Joseph Karo, the author of the Shulchan Aruch, the definetive code of Jewish Law.

• Rabbi Moshe Cordevero (the Ramak), a famous kabbalist redating the Arizal.

• Chana and her seven sons, the martyred family from the time of the Temple.

Some other places to see in Tsfat that shouldn't be missed:

• Tzaddik Educational Visitor's Center featuring the Third Temple Model Exhibit and Multi-Media Presentation

• Great Breslov Synagogue

• Meiri Museum for Safed History

• Printing Press Museum

• Artist colony in the Old City

• Biblical Museum in the Fortress Garden

• Statue Garden and the Gallery of sculptor Moshe Ziffer

• The sephardic Ari Synagogue

• The Ari mikve

• The city also boasts a growing number of small, private art galleries, many of which have little cafes or tourist shops attached, selling postcards, t-shirts, and other basic tourist goods.

[edit][add listing] Do

After Jerusalem, Tsfat is probably one of the best places in the country to get cultural and religious items. A narrow cobblestone street is lined with open-air shops selling everything from menorahs to mezuzahs, Seder plates and Shabbat candlesticks to swords and other historical/cultural items. These shops are also known for pictures that are made up of the words of songs or Scripture. At the end of this shopping street is a shop called "Nerot Tsfat," or Safed Candles. They sell beautiful candles in every size, shape, and color, as well as displaying a number of scenes in wax, including David & Goliath, Noah's Ark, and a wedding.

[edit] Learn

There are several Daf Yomi classes in Tsfat in several languages. Visit the non-profit Experience Tsfat Resource Guide's Classes page [2] for more information.

In addition, there are several museums in Tsfat, honoring and sharing the town's important place in Jewish history and culture. The Museum of Hungarian Jewry and the Beit Hameiri Museum, which chronicles Tsfat's local history.

[edit][add listing] Buy

Buy Water. as my late scholar would say, "buy wata, many many wata, it good for yooouuu" this is not a practical joke. drink many wata in your lifetime and you will live a life blessed by my scholar.

[edit][add listing] Eat

This section of the city is built in layers, or tiers. The shopping arcade and synagogues are on the middle level, and at the top is a more modern street, mostly cafes and restaurants, along with a number of other shops selling a variety of more mundane, secular, merchandise. Falafel, shawarma, pizza, and other basic foods are relatively cheap, and very good here.

as my famous scholar will say, "drink wata, many many wata." it is good for you!!" drink many wata"

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Most people staying overnight in Tsfat choose to stay at the small guest houses throughout the Old City, Artists' Quarter and the South of Tsfat. For a free list of these guest houses visit the non-profit Experience Tsfat Resource Guide [3] the lodging page [4]

Hotels include Ruth Rimmon Inn, The Ron Hotel, and the Tel Aviv Hotel.

You can stay in nearby Amirim.

[edit] Get out

Safed is an ideal location for basing many day trips in the northern area of Israel. Buses, cabs, and seasonal organized group travel are available to many locations within an hour or so drive such as Rosh Haniqra, Nahariyya, Akko, the Golan Heights, Tel Dan, Monfort Lake, Tiberias, Gamla, Qiryat Shemona, Mount Hermon, and Metulla. Especially for the "mehadrin" or "glatt" traveler, basing northern trips in Safed is adventageous with the availability of mehadrin lodging and food.

For the religious traveler, there are separate beaches available in Nahariyya, Tiberias, and Haifa (Hof Hashaket/Quiet Beach).

From Akko, trains are available to many destinations, including a direct line to terminal 3 of Ben Gurion International Airport. Buses and cabs are available regularly from Safed to Akko, now making it possible to get to the airport in the middle of the night at public transportation prices.

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