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| − | + | {{Infobox | |
| + | |title = Tzfat Kabbala Center | ||
| + | |image = [[File:00000300 entrance kabalah center tzfat.jpg|215px|alt=Tzfat Kabbala Center]] | ||
| + | |header1 = Hebrew: | ||
| + | |data2 = מרכז הקבלה הצפתי | ||
| + | |header3 = Spelling: | ||
| + | |data4 = Kabbalah, Kaballa, Cabbala, Kabbala, Qabbalah | ||
| + | |header5 = Other Names: | ||
| + | |data6 = Kabbalah Center of Tzfat, Kabbalah-Tour, Safed Kabbalah Center | ||
| + | |header7 = Description: | ||
| + | |data8 = Jewish outreach center promoting the teachings of Kabbalah based in Safed, Israel.}} | ||
| − | + | The study of Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism, spans thousands of years. Believers consider that the ancient wisdom and knowledge of kabbalah has guided mankind since creation. In recent years the study of kabbalah has expanded as different groups and individuals offer their own interpretations of kabbalah. The '''International Center for Tzfat Kabbalah''' provides individuals and groups with the opportunity to encounter a traditional [[Kabbalah in Safed|Tzfat-based kabbalah]] experience. | |
| − | == | + | == Tzfat and Kabbalah == |
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| − | [[ | + | During the Middle Ages as Jews escaped from the Spanish Inquisition, many of the era’s greatest kabbalists were drawn to [[Safed]]. [[Rabbi Yosi Saragosi|Rabbi Yossi Saragossi]], Rabbi Moshe Cordovero, [[Rabbi Yitzchak Luria|Rabbi Isaac Luria]] (the ARI), Rabbi Chaim Vital and others studied and taught in Tzfat, expanding and refining the study of kabbalah. Tzfat became known as one of Judaism’s four holy cities, The City of Kabbalah, a name by which it is known today. |
| − | + | [[File:more.jpg|link=]] '''Read full Zissil article on [[Kabbalah in Safed|Tzfat Kabbalah]]''' | |
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| − | + | == International Center for Tzfat Kabbalah == | |
| − | + | [[File:00000311 safed kabala center stairs.jpg|thumb|130px|left|Kabbala Center Stairs]]The International Center for Tzfat Kabbalah aims to make Tzfat kabbalah accessible to individuals, groups, scholars and lay people and allow them to encounter kabbalah on a level with which they feel comfortable. | |
| − | The | + | |
| − | + | The Center is located on Alkabetz Street in the [[Old City Safed|Old Jewish Quarter of Tzfat]]. People can drop in to see a 15-minute movie which provides an overview of kabbalah, look through the library or ask questions to the trained staff. | |
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| − | + | The Center offers one-time lecture or seminars that last for a day or several days. Individuals or groups can sign up for a Kabbalah Tour of Tzfat, have their name analyzed according to kabbalah or learn about Jewish mysticism through art and music. The Center offers kabbalistic Bar and Bat Mitzva celebrations and excursions to local sites which are meaningful in the Jewish mystical tradition. | |
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| + | {{Safed Tourism}} | ||
| + | {{Safed Learning and Education}} | ||
| + | {{Safed Spelling}} | ||
| + | {{Claim Page}} | ||
| + | [[Category:Jewish Organizations]] | ||
[[Category:Safed]] | [[Category:Safed]] | ||
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Latest revision as of 20:29, 14 February 2013
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| Hebrew: | |
|---|---|
| צפת | |
| Spelling: | |
| Tzfat, Zefat, Zfat, Safed, Tsfat, Zefas, Tzfas, Tsfas and Zfas | |
| Other Names: | |
| City of Kabbalah, World Center of Jewish Mysticism | |
| Description: | |
| A city in the Galilee, Northern Israel. |
Safed is a city nestled in the Upper Galilee of Northern Israel located approximately 45 minutes from Tiberias. The city perches on a mountaintop and enjoys mild weather in the summer and a cold rainy climate in the winter. Tzfat is known as the “City of Kabbalah,” one of Judaism’s four Holy Cities, due to its history as the region where contemporary Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism, developed. Today Tzfat is enjoying a revival as a center of Jewish and Kabbalah study, a hub of quality art and Judaica and a meeting place for people of different cultures and backgrounds who are drawn to this historic mountaintop town.
Contents |
[edit] History
Artifacts have been found that indicate that people lived in Safed as far back as 3500 years ago, but archaeological and documentary evidence of the community begins at the time of the Crusader period. The Crusaders built their “Metzuda”, or citadel, on the Tzfat mountaintop. The presence of an existing Jewish community in Tzfat drew Jews to the area in the Middle Ages as they fled the Spanish Inquisition. By the late 1700s, Ashkanazi, or Eastern European Jews began to immigrate to Tzfat. This created two distinct Jewish community, the Ashkanazis and the Sepharadim (Mediterranean and North African Jews). The Arab community also grew, occupying a neighborhood a few minutes’ walk from the Jewish Quarter.
Read full Zissil article on Safed History
[edit] Origins, Spelling and Pronunciation
The origins of the name "Tzfat" are unknown but may refer to either of two Hebrew verbs which are similar to "Tzfat" -- "L'tz-a-pot", meaning "to anticipate" or "L'tz-pot" meaning "to look out." Tzfat has many different spellings which derive from the Arabic, Sephardic Hebrew and Ashkanazi Hebrew pronunciations.
Common spellings of Tzfat include Tzfat, Tsfat, Tzfas, Tsfas, Safed, Zefad, Zfat, Zefat, Zefas, Zfas, Zfad and more.
[edit] Synagogues and Holy Sites
Jews come from all over the world to pray at Tzfat’s ancient synagogues and other holy sites. In addition to the shuls where the scholars and rabbis lived and worked, the Tzfat cemetery houses the gravesites of rabbinical leaders and scholars who lived and worked in Tzfat. Men come from throughout the world to immerse in the Ari Mikve, a ritual bath with legendary powers.
Read full Zissil article on Tzfat Synagogues
[edit] Places to Visit
The streets of Tzfat are full almost year-round with visitors who come to experience various aspects of Tzfat. Travelers can view the tourist sites of Tzfat including the ancient synagogues, the art galleries, the ruins and modern centers indicating the town’s renaissance. Centers exist where people can stop in for a quick class in Torah or Kabbalah, learn about the ancient art of working as a Hebrew scribe, make their own pottery piece or listen to an artist’s life story.
[edit] Learning Centers
Visitors have a variety of options to explore if they want to learn more about Tzfat, Judaism or Kabbalah. Different groups offer drop-in classes and libraries which are open to the public. The International Center for Tzfat Kabbalah, a rabbinical-approved Center for the study of Jewish Mysticism, offers tours, movies, written materials and seminars that fit the interests of people of all ages. The Tzfat Tourist Information Center provides written information about the city along with maps, a movie about Tzfat’s history and an opportunity to visit some of the underground tunnels that show Tzfat’s history.
Read full Zissil article on Safed Learning Centers
[edit] Kabbalah in Tzfat
[edit] Weather
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