Tsfat Part 1: a custom-made retreat

I arrived for my second time in Tsfat over the past summer on a Sunday, it wasYom Yerushalaim, with my gracious host who also gave me a ride from Jerusalem. I made my usual visit to the supermarket to stock up on food, the place I went to is a big makolet popular among locals, Mishtalem. My host had just moved to a new place so she needed help unpacking, so I did my part in starting to get her settled.

I went to Tsfat for one main purpose, to learn from Rabbi Anava in person. But in an interesting turn of events he changed his schedule just as I arrived and wasn't teaching every day like he used to. I ended up only being able to attend one day of classes at the Beer Miriam center, I'm grateful for what I got and no complains. Baruch Hashem.

Nevertheless, I know in Tsfat holiness isn't in short supply. The lady I was staying by happily shared some options with me. One was a friend of hers who does workshops on healing and streching using Kabbalah and the Sefirot (the mystical parts of Judaism) for women only. I was hungry for spiritual experiences. So my curiosity led to one of her seminars on Monday morning. I prepared myself mentally not to expect anything and just to take in the moment. So my positive attitude was the jumping board for a meditation she does every morning before starting her day. The teacher even lent me some modest leggins that would make me be more comfortable than wearing a conventional skirt. I wasn't anticipating so much physical movement, but I went with it. And I didn't come out disappointed. Experiencing something different is Tsfat was just getting started.

My host told me also to just drop by Rabbi Anava's house and talk to his wife, Devorah. That she is welcoming and people come to her place all the time with questions, it's a usual to get unexpected visitors for them. So that settled my hesitation and I went there in person after my workshop to ask about events with the new schedule in place. My host was right and the house was open when I arrived, like Devora was almost waiting for me. She told me that even though her husband changed things up, there's always learning going on Tsfat. Totally open to the public and free of charge. It's like people there have a different lifestyle, more spiritual, dedicated to connect to Hashem, and helping others do the same. And the material concerns are just taken care of by the Almighty himself. It reminds me of the teaching that says that the Torah is accessible to anybody, if you want it it's yours. Tsfat locals really go the extra mile to bring it down to practice.

So Devora walked me through the picturesque steep alleys, pregnant and all, to the Bed and Breakfast where she said they had women's learning going on. With us came a lady from Canada that was staying at the Anava's hotel, also there to explore. She shares my admiration for Rabbi Anava. I was pleasantly surprised to go with the flow and find nice warm people along the way. I was surrounded by spiritual seekers hungry for truth. It is the perfect environment to strengthen your relationship with Hashem. Like a custom made retreat, the best one I could've asked for.

To life!

Vivian Chaya Russo

#Tsfat #Israel #Kabbalah #Galil #Ari #Safed