Photos from Zfat in northern Israel

The Zanzer Klois in the old city

Photos: Miriam Woelke

Picture of the Day

Seen in Zfat

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Worldly matters around romatic feelings

B"H 

On January 22, Israel is going to vote a new parliament into the Knesset. I have to admit that, while reading the paper, I ignore most articles dealing with Knesset parties and their intrigues and affairs. Just like me, many Israelis are sick of politics and the corruption in our country. Nevertheless, politics are also a subject in the rather sleepy town of Zfat.:-)

Here, everything seems to be so far away but, in contrast to many American Jews living in Zfat, the secular Israeli population has its feet much more on the ground. Despite all dirty politics, here are another few rather romantic pictures from Tiberias and Zfat:  

Tiberias

Photos from Zfat

Yesterday: 28 degrees Celsius in Zfat. Some local shopkeepers asked an American tourist group where they are from in the States: "From Pennsylvania", was the response. "So you are probably happy to be here", said the shopkeepers referring to hurricane Sandy. "Oh, yes, !" - so the Americans.

Copyright / Photos: Miriam Woelke

Zfat by Night

B"H

One shouldn't expect too much of a wild nightlife in Zfat (northern Israel) but, down here in the old city, in Rehov Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Street), you can find quite a few restaurants. From Pizza to Bagel and from meat and fish to lasagne. 

The new restaurant ARELE (meat and fish) seems to be an attraction to all kinds of Haredim. Personally, I recommend the Italian style restaurant MILANO. Choose the lasagne (tasty and inexpensive) which comes together with a nice salad. The staff is nice and you can sit either upstairs or downstairs. 

The ARELE on the right

The Kotel painting at the MILANO made me feel right home :-)

Rehov Yerushalayim at night

Photos: Miriam Woelke

A Pizza from Rabbi Shimon

The Rashbi Pizza in Zfat.

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Photos from the Ashkenazi ARI Synagogue in Zfat

B"H

After publishing a short video from the inside of the Ashkenazi ARI Synagogue in Zfat, here are also a few photos. 

The Sefirot

The Synagogue from the outside. Someone asked if the Mezuza is still missing. The truth is that I didn't pay attention when I walked in and my photos don't really show anything. Nevertheless, I will go again next week and check out whether there is a Mezuza.

The Ashkenazi ARI Synagogue from the inside.

As a matter of fact, almost every famous Synagogue in the old city of Zfat has a guard sitting at the entrance. Usually an elderly Chassid who is watching the guests. It is up to him who can come in. However, when leaving, he expects a donation. 

I gave quite a donation to the ARI Synagogue and when I went further down to the Abuhav Synagogue a little later, the same old Chassid was sitting there then. I admit that I didn't want to give another high amount of money and decided not to go inside the Abuhav Synagogue this time but next week. 

I recommend you to arrange some Shekel coins in advance. I forgot doing so and after donating once, I didn't feel like handing out any further bills.:-)

The outer yard.

Photos: Miriam Woelke

The Ashkenazi ARI Synagogue in Zfat

B"H

Zfat (Safed) in northern Israel is famous for its medieval Kabbalah history. Rabbi Moshe Alshich, Rabbi Moshe Cordovero, Rabbi Shlomo HaLevi Alkabetz, Rabbi Yosef Karo and in particular the ARI (Rabbi Yitzchak Luria, 1534 - 1572) used to call Zfat their home. 

Until today, there are two ARI Synagogues located in the Old City of Zfat. One for the Ashkenazim and another one called "The Sephardi ARI Synagogue". I think the reason is that it is not clear whether the ARI was actually Ashkezani or Sephardi. 

The video I took this afternoon was inside the Ashkenazi ARI Synagogue and I will be filming the Sephardi counterpart next week !

Part of the Canaan neighbourhood in Zfat (Safed)

Sunset in Zfat

The sun going down over Meron.

View from Zfat.

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B"H

I have had some really interesting conversations with people from Zfat. American as well as Israeli. About the job situation in town and how people manage to survive. However, those two days up here weren't enough and I will be back for another two days next week. I have already reserved the same private room with Chabad.

In addition to that, after all this walking around, I haven't found the time for the cemetery which will be on top of my agenda next week. Nevertheless, I took lots of photos. The old city as well as the poorer part of town: The southern part of Zfat where apartments are cheap but many places are run down. Areas where tourists usually don't go.

Israel's HOME FRONT COMMAND exercising deadly Earthquake

Source: Pikud Ha'Oref (Home Front Command)

B"H 

Many who hadn't heard the announcements were surely wondering about what was going on this morning. Army, police and plenty of ambulance cars all over the country. However, there was no reason to panic, as the Home Front Command (Pikud Ha'Oref) was running a special exercise. This time not about potential missiles attacking us but an exercise on "How to deal in case of a disastrous earthquake taking place in our country". 

For many years, Israeli scientist keep on predicting a massive earthquake in the future. It could happen in a year, in five years, ten, fifty or a hundred years. No one knows exactly when but it is going to happen. 

Tomorrow I am going to head up north for two days and especially the north has been a constant earthquake region. Already in the Middle Ages, the small town of Zfat (Safed) was destroyed several times by quakes. Nevertheless, not only Zfat is in danger but also Tiberias, Beit She'an as well as the entire Jordan Valley. 

The Home Front Command teaches that, in case of emergency, we should crawl under a table or run out of the building. If we have to stay inside a building we should leave the doors open and look for a fast escape in the staircase.  

In Zfat (Upper Galilee) people have got used to the constant tremors taking place in the area. However, not only the north is in danger but also Jerusalem.

Picture of the Day

Seen in Lewinsky Street / Tel Aviv

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B"H

I spent most of the day today in Tel Aviv and I actually had a very good time. Next week I am planning a brief trip to the north. Beit She'an, Tiberias and Zfat (Safed). Regarding Zfat, I am not going to publish further photos and a few videos of the cemetery but I will also talk to people in order to find out how the new immigrants (Olim) from the US are doing up north.

The Secret of TAMMUZ

Seen in Zfat (Safed) / Northern Israel

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B"H

I started reading the Chabad book "Sefer Sha'arei Ha'Moadim" but it was mainly talking about how important the month of Tammuz is for being the month of the Ge'ulah (Redemption). Various Chabad Rebbes or, at least, one was released from Russian prison. Not only that but this Shabbat, Chabad is going to celebrate 3 Tammuz (Gimmel Tammuz). The last Rebbe's Yahrzeit or, as the Meshichistim among Chabad say "The day when the Rebbe became invisible". 

I admit that this was all a bit much for me and I started reading another commentary on the Jewish month of Tammuz. One of my favourite commentators is the SHEM MI'SHMUEL and he delivers an extremely interesting commentary on Tammuz.

While still in Gan Eden, Adam Harishon and Chava (Eve) were ruining the human sense of eyesight when they were looking at the apple and started to desire it. As we know, both of them were provided with the highest kinds of souls ever but lost some of them at the moment they sinned.

Remark: According to talmudic and kabbalistic literature, Adam and Eve didn't sin by eating an apple but the Talmud lists various other fruits or possibilities of what both of them ate. One suggestion is that they got drunk and other claim that there was something else involved. Something we don't understand and the Torah doesn't explicitly explains us further details. As a matter of fact, we don't know what a "Tree of Knowledge" is and stands for. 

When Adam and Eve desired the apple (or whatever), they brought a bad aspect on the human sense of eyesight and, as soon as this happens, the sense (or anything else) needs a Tikun (rectification). We are able to rectify something by using it for the good and thus elevate the level of the messed up sense (or anything else).

The Meraglim (Spies) from last week's Parashat SHLACH LECHA were supposed to rectify the sense of eyesight. The spies were sent out in Tammuz and returned in the month of Av. However, their task was to see the land (Israel) and thus see something good. They missed their opportunity and only referred to the negative. Thus they ruined the chance to rectify the sense of the eyesight and now it is up to us to rectify it. How ? By using our human senses for the good and not for the negative.

Real estate prices in Zfat (Safed)

 Zfat (Safed)

B"H

Making Aliyah (immigration) to Zfat (Safed) in northern Israel has become a real fashion among religious American Jewry. Whether Carlebacher, Breslover, Lubavitcher or others, lots of American Jews have discovered the "Zfat Spirituality". Not only that but the small town located on top of a hill, approx. 30 km away from Tiberias, still offers affordable housing and lower costs of living. 

I wrote a few times about the subject in the past. At the moment, I am actually in Zfat for a few days. Arriving this Monday, I will be heading back to Jerusalem for Shabbat and Shavuot tomorrow morning. Many of you may be interested in the latest estate prices in Zfat, as you are planning to buy or rent a place. As I said many times before, you should not forget reality by only looking at the spiritual side. Yes, Zfat is a nice small town with a great welcoming English speaking community. However, there are also plenty of Israelis living in town and not everyone speaks English. Moreover, Zfat is surrounded by a few Arab villages and the Zfat Academy in the old city has far more Arab students than Jewish ones. Those Arab students have been trying moving into town and local Jewish landlords rented out apartments to them. Arab students are willing to pay more rent than Israelis and usually put the cash on the table. Jewish landlords in Zfat went for this until local Rabbis and residents started protesting. Now greedy landlords think twice to whom they are renting out apartments. Nevertheless, the situation between Jews and local Arabs is still tense. I was told that Jewish residents don't really want to use the city park anymore, as the park is located next to the Academy. Arab students are hanging around in the park and Jewish mothers don't want to sit there with their kids anymore. Too dangerous.

Another problem in Zfat is the terrible employment situation. No jobs, no infrastructure. A Shearim reader suggested that the municipality should create job but this isn't that easy. Factories and other companies prefer settling at the coastal area and not somewhere in the middle of nowhere on a hilltop. In case it is you planning thinking about Aliyah to Zfat, do not forget the employment situation ! Too many Americans have done this so far and are now offering their services as "spiritual healers", "spiritual artists" or by looking for an income by renting out guest rooms or working as estate agents ripping off other Americans. 

Once your Nefesh be Nefesh money is gone, then what ? How are you going to support yourself in a place like Zfat ? Always have this in mind and be realistic about it. 

Market only once a week: Every Wednesday, the Zfat residents stream to the market. On other weekdays they but at the local supermarkets.

Yesterday I was passing a real estate office in the old city and had a look at the latest offers. Apartments in the old city are up to 1,000,000 Shekels (approx. 250,000 $). I even saw apartments to sell for 2,500,000 or more Shekels. Especially in the old city, estate prices are skyrocketing and rents are up too. If you want to rent something affordable, have a look at apartment offers in the southern part of Zfat. There you find the cheapest apartments. The neighbourhoods are not as nice as in the old city but prices are pretty reasonable. A friend of mine from Zfat added that you should also consider the education issue. Where are your kids going to school when the Hebrew language is required ?

Zfat is definitely not New York and not everyone is made to live here. More than a year ago, I was thinking about moving here or to Tiberias but this kind of life simply wasn't for me. Too far away from everything and if you want to see "civilization", you need to go to Haifa ( a two - hour bus ride from Zfat). 

Despite spirituality, the Kabbalah, a great functioning community, you should still consider all kinds of options and issues before making your final decision. 

 For sale: A four - room - apartment in the old city, nice neighbourhood and fixed rooms for 1,100,000 Shekels (250,000 $). The number below is the cellphone number of the agent. 

 Further estate offers and place available to rent. Just to give you an idea.

Photos: Miriam Woelke

The medieval side of Zfat (Safed)

B"H

How did the great Kabbalists, Rabbi Yitzchak Luria, Rabbi Moshe Cordovero, Rabbi Moshe Alshich and many others live ? For several centuries, parts of Zfat have been repeatedly destroyed by earthquakes. However, a small part of the medieval part is still existing in the old city. Here are a few photos in order to give you an impression:

Medieval ruins and today's tour buses streaming in (see on the top on the right)

Photos: Miriam Woelke

Getting dark in Zfat (Safed)

B"H

It just got dark in Zfat (northern Israel) and here are some great pictures:

Right side in the background: View to the mountains of Meron.

The shopping street Rehov Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Street)

The Chabad (Lubavitch) center in Rehov Yerushalayim. Here, the Meshichistim reside.

Photo: Miriam Woelke