Sephardic Community Safed
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| − | + | ('''Hebrew''': קהילה ספרדית בצפת / '''Pronunciation''' Se-far-dick /'''Other Names''': Sefardi, Sephardi / '''Definition''': Tzfat’s Sephardic residents and Institutions.) | |
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Approximately half of the [[Safed]] population is comprised of Jews whose families come from traditionally Sephardic lands. | Approximately half of the [[Safed]] population is comprised of Jews whose families come from traditionally Sephardic lands. | ||
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The Hebrew word “Sepharad” means “Spain.” Until the Middle Ages, a large percentage of world Jewry lived in Spain and were referred to as “Sephardi” Jews. Other sizable populations of Jews included those who lived in Northern France and Germany and these Jews were referred to as “Ashkanazi” Jews. | The Hebrew word “Sepharad” means “Spain.” Until the Middle Ages, a large percentage of world Jewry lived in Spain and were referred to as “Sephardi” Jews. Other sizable populations of Jews included those who lived in Northern France and Germany and these Jews were referred to as “Ashkanazi” Jews. | ||
| − | After Jews were expelled from Spain in 1492, the terms “Sephardi” and “Ashkanazi” widened to include the new lands where these refugees settled. The term “Sephardic” came to refer to Jews who lived in North African and Arab countries including Tunisia, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Iraq, Algeria and Egypt as well as Mediterranean countries such as Turkey, Greece, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria. | + | After Jews were expelled from Spain in 1492, the terms “Sephardi” and “Ashkanazi” widened to include the new lands where these refugees settled. The term “Sephardic” came to refer to Jews who lived in North African and Arab countries including Tunisia, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Iraq,Algeria and Egypt as well as Mediterranean countries such as Turkey, Greece, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria. |
== Sepharadic Community in Tzfat == | == Sepharadic Community in Tzfat == | ||
| − | Historically, the Jews who returned to Israel during and after the Expulsion were Sephardic. They came either directly from Spain and Portugal or within the first few generations after the expulsion by way of an intermediary country. The rabbis of Tzfat during the | + | Historically, the Jews who returned to Israel during and after the Expulsion were Sephardic. They came either directly from Spain and Portugal or within the first few generations after the expulsion by way of an intermediary country. The rabbis of Tzfat during the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries were almost exclusively Sephardic and the Tzfat community followed the Sephardic customs and traditions. Ashkanazi Jews began to immigrate to Tzfat in the 1700s. |
Through the centuries members of both communities fled Tzfat after natural disasters and periodic Arab riots. By the 1948 [[Safed War of Independence|War of Independence]] the two communities were roughly equal in size -- approximately 2000 individuals in all. | Through the centuries members of both communities fled Tzfat after natural disasters and periodic Arab riots. By the 1948 [[Safed War of Independence|War of Independence]] the two communities were roughly equal in size -- approximately 2000 individuals in all. | ||
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=== Religious Life === | === Religious Life === | ||
There are several Sephardic “yeshivot” -- seminaries -- in Tzfat including Ohr Yakar, Yeted Tshuva and Alkabetz. Almost every neighborhood has a Sephardic synagogue which include the prayer styles of the mainly Tunisian and Moroccan congregants. The Chief Rabbi of Tzfat, Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, is an authority for Sephardi and Ashkanazi residents alike, as well as for many non-residents of the city who look up to him and respect his “halachic” -- Jewish law -- rulings. | There are several Sephardic “yeshivot” -- seminaries -- in Tzfat including Ohr Yakar, Yeted Tshuva and Alkabetz. Almost every neighborhood has a Sephardic synagogue which include the prayer styles of the mainly Tunisian and Moroccan congregants. The Chief Rabbi of Tzfat, Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, is an authority for Sephardi and Ashkanazi residents alike, as well as for many non-residents of the city who look up to him and respect his “halachic” -- Jewish law -- rulings. | ||
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[[Category:Safed]] | [[Category:Safed]] | ||
[[Category:Jewish-Groups]] | [[Category:Jewish-Groups]] | ||