By Molly Kazan
Take a stroll through Tzfat on an average day and you’ll probably notice the hustle and bustle of a typical work day. This city, one of Israel's most popular tourist destinations, is well known for its Kabbalah artwork, beautiful synagogues, and incredible views of the Kinneret region. But take a stroll through Tzfat on Shabbat and you’ll find so much more. Jamie’s tour on Shabbat morning gave me a new perspective on Tzfat and Shabbat as a whole. From the moment we left the hotel I noticed how quiet the streets were as families walked to shul. The calm and peaceful atmosphere permeated the streets of the city and really helped me feel the presence of Shabbat.
A highlight of the tour for me was visiting the ancient ruins in Tzfat. Located on a high mountain towards the north, the ruins served as a fortress during the Crusader period. We walked around the ruins to a cave which Jamie said used to be a water storage facility that brought drinking water into the fortress. We heard voices coming from within the cave and as we followed the long narrow pathway leading further into the cave, the voices grew louder. The pathway eventually revealed a large open space. Sunlight shone through a hole in the top of the cave. We learned that hole was a former waterway. A group of young Orthodox men stood in a circle at the center of the cave singing Shabbat Zemirot. Some of the Nachshon fellows joined them while the rest of us linked arms and all began singing together.
The Shabbat spirit heightened immensely, and it was in this cave that I realized how powerful and connective Judaism can be. That brief 15 minutes of singing was one of the best Shabbat experiences I’ve ever had. Deep in a cave in Tzfat, sharing that unique Shabbat spirit with the Nachshon family is an experience I will never forget.
