Safed is one of the four holy cities of Judaism, with a history spanning more than 2,000 years. The city flourished during the 16th century, when many renowned Kabbalistic sages settled there, transforming Safed into one of the spiritual centers of Jewish mysticism.
Safed is home to the largest Crusader fortress in the Mediterranean region and to the cave where, according to tradition, the Patriarch Jacob studied the Oral Torah.
During the excursion, we will visit the Cave of Shem and Ever, as well as several famous synagogues, including:
- the Ari Ashkenazi Synagogue,
- the Ari Sephardic Synagogue,
- the Abuhav Synagogue,
- the Kosov Synagogue,
- the synagogue of Rabbi Avraham Dov of Ovruch,
- and the synagogue of Rabbi Yosef Karo.
An important part of Jewish Safed is its ancient cemetery, where visitors can see the burial sites traditionally associated with:
- the Prophet Hosea ben Beeri,
- Rabbi Yehoshua ben Hananiah,
- Pinchas ben Yair,
- Rabbi Yosef Karo,
- the Ari (Rabbi Isaac Luria Ashkenazi),
- the Ramak (Rabbi Moshe Cordovero),
- and Rabbi Avraham Dov.
In the 20th century, Safed also became a center for artists, and today the city is famous for its many galleries and creative workshops.
Another city of great importance in Jewish history is Tiberias, located on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Founded nearly 2,000 years ago, Tiberias became a major center of Jewish scholarship, where the Jerusalem Talmud was compiled and the system of Hebrew vowel notation was developed.
The city is home to the tombs of many revered Jewish sages, including:
- Maimonides (Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon / Rambam),
- Rabbi Yohanan ben Zakkai,
- and Rabbi Akiva.
South of the city are the famous thermal mineral springs of Hamat Tiberias National Park and the burial site of Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes (Meir the Miracle Worker).
During the tour, we will also explore remains from the Roman and Byzantine periods, including ancient city gates, Roman baths, a theater, and the traditional site associated with the writing of the Jerusalem Talmud.
