Mystical Zefat and Preparing for Shabbos (May 9)

We had to wake at 6:30 this morning and be on the bus at 7 to head north to Zefat (pronounced Tzfat). This city is one of the oldest and holiest in Israel and has been the home to numerous famous rabbis. Zefat is also famous for its kabalistic presence and unique art galleries. We prayed in the shul of the late Rabbi Yosef Caro was the author of Shulcan Arooch, a condensed version of the Halacha, Jewish law. When we were done praying, we walked down to a mikvah (purity bath), but I did not go in as, to be honest, it was pretty disgusting. It looked very spiritual with candles and was filled with water from an active spring.

I then went to a semi famous, tiny restaurant stand where a man makes this food that is a combination of a pancake and pita. He then puts some local herbs and common vegetables on the pastry. The atmosphere and watching him cook was better than the actual food, but it tasted fine. I walked around Zefat for about an hour looking at the art and the unique people. There are Jews from a specific sect or orthodoxy, called Breslov that live mainly in Zefat. They are kind of wacky, often referred to as “hippie Jews.” Some believe that if every Jew says the name of their founding Rabbi, Nachman Meuman, than the Messiah will come. Some of them also smoke a lot of weed, but hey, whatever makes them happy. And that is was Rabbi Meuman’s main point was; that all Jews should always be happy.

We are now in the Galilee, northern Israel, at a very nice kibbutz resort for Shabbos. I am kind of feeling shitty as I left my glasses on the bus, lost all my lip balm and my lips are very rough now, I have had a ringing in my right ear since I got here (this is the worst, I understand why Van Gogh cut his ear off now), and I am extremely tired. But Shabbos is coming and hopefully all these minor problems will go away. I am looking forward to sleeping in a little tomorrow and just relaxing. Hopefully some of the things that are out of my control will go away soon and I can fully enjoy my experience in Israel.