• Full-day tour to Tsfat, the mystical birthplace of Kabbalah in the upper Galilee.
• Learn about Jewish religious divisions and Jewish practice. 
• Visit the “Orchard of Holy Apples” where Rabbi Isaac Luria revolutionized Judaism by teaching his disciples Kabbalah.
• Discover the intimate Ari Ashkenazi Synagogue and become acquainted with Jewish prayer and the parts of a synagogue.
• Explore the colorful Sephardic Abuhav synagogue where we will discuss the Jewish expulsion from Spain. 
• Participate in a Challah making workshop where we will bake this traditional braided bread eaten by Jews on the Sabbath. 
• Meet with a Kabbalistic artist who will discuss the mystical meanings hidden in their works and wander about the Artist’s Quarter. 

This full-day tour takes us north to the mountainous region of the upper Galilee, to the mystical and picturesque city of Tsfat. Considered one of the four Jewish holy cities, Tsfat is the birthplace of Lurianic Kabbalah, the esoteric and mystical branch of Judaism that flourished here in the 16th century. On this tour, we will learn about this secretive tradition as well as delve into Jewish practice and some of the major religious divisions in Judaism. 

As we walk through the cobblestoned streets of this ancient city, you will notice that most of the residents adhere to various types of Jewish observance, such as Hasidism, Religious Zionism, Sephardi and Ashkenazi. We will explore these various groups and their differing approaches to Judaism. 

First, however, we will go to what remains of the “Orchard of Holy Apples” associated with Rabbi Isaac Luria, who taught his disciples Kabbalah at this location. Known as the Arizal, Rabbi Luria revolutionized Judaism by turning it on its head. We will discuss how his far-reaching religious innovations continue to deeply impact us to this day. 

From here, we will walk down to the intimate 16th century Ari Ashkenazi synagogue which was one of two prayer houses in which the Arizal regularly prayed. Active to this day, the synagogue contains a stunning and ornate wooden Torah Ark that was hand crafted in the 19th century by a Polish artisan in Galician style.  

We will take this opportunity to discuss Jewish prayer and to introduce the various parts that make up a synagogue.  As we depart and walk through the alleys of the old town, notice the ubiquitous blue painted doors and walls meant to remind us of heaven.

Our next stop is the Abuhav synagogue which, according to tradition, arrived here from Toledo Spain, after being carried to this location by a storm. The interior of this Sephardic synagogue is decorated with images of musical instruments, and contains a Torah Scroll that is over 500 years old which was saved from the Inquisition in Spain. We will discuss the 1492 order of expulsion from Spain and its impacts on the Jewish world.

As we head up to the Artist’s Quarter, we briefly stop at the house of Rabbi Yosef Karo who wrote the Shulhan Aruh – the foremost treatise on Jewish religious practice that is still used by all observant Jews to this day. After some free time for shopping in the Artist’s Quarter, we will head to the Ascent Institute for a Challah making workshop followed by lunch. Challah bread is the traditional braided bread eaten by Jews at the Shabbat table. 

Our last stop of the day is at the house of a Kabbalistic artist, who will present their artwork and explain the hidden, mystical symbolism behind their works. From here, we return to your hotel or ship.