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The ancient city of Zefat is also spelled Safed, Tsfat, Zfat, Safad, Safes, Safet, Tzfat, etc.). It is a rather small town in Northern Israel situated 900 meters (3200 feet) above sea level in the mountains of the Upper Galilee. The exotic location of Zefat provides marvelous panoramic views north to the Hermon and Lebanon, west to Mt. Meron and the Amud Valley, east to the Golan and south to Tiberias and the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee). Zefat is one of the four holy cities in Israel, the others being Jerusalem, Hebron and Tiberias. Narrow cobblestone lanes revealing artists' galleries, private homes and small guest houses and medieval synagogues and museums give the town a unique shape. Ceramics, Diamonds and handicrafts also thrive in Zefat. It has a rather small population of 17,000 majorities being the Orthodox Jewish population. The legends on Zefat in Israel are rich and great. It is said that Shem and Ever, son and grandson of Noah, established their yeshiva in Zefat where Jacob (Yaakov Avinu) studied for many years. Other legends also put forth that the town was founded in 70AD. Zefat flourished during the 16th century when due to the Spanish Expulsion many famous Jewish religious scholars and mystics moved to Zefat. The town of Zefat became an important center of rabbinical and kabbalistic studies, which it remained throughout the 17th cent. During the ensuing years due to earthquakes, plagues and Arab attacks the town of Zefat suffered terribly leading to the decline of its population. The pleasant summers and snowy winters with a lot of greenery have made Zefat one of Israel's popular destinations. The famous mountain air is conducive for thinking and meditation. The seclusion and tranquility is provided by the nearby forest and nature reserve. Many Tzaddikim (righteous holy people) are buried around here and these graves are placed in some of the most scenic locations of Zefat. The nature reserve in the North is home to a number of famous grave sites. A virtual paradise can be witnessed with rows of fruit trees, waterpools and olive groves just half hour's walk from Zefat. The major tourist attractions of Zefat are listed below:
- Meiri Museum for Safed History
- Printing Press Museum
- Biblical Museum in the Fortress Garden
- Statue Garden and the Gallery of sculptor Moshe Ziffer
- Artist colony in the Old City
- The sephardic Ari Synagogue
- Mount Meron The modesty, humility and sense of purpose make Zefat truly admiring. Zefat in Israel is the balance where the spiritual and physical conjoin, where the East meets the West, where you are guided by Hashem in you path. The natural beauty and the beauty of Jewish spirituality can be experienced best in the ancient town of Zefat.
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