Sephardic Synagogue of the Ari

All Jewish tours to Israel should include a stop at the Sephardic Synagogue of the Ari, the oldest house of prayer in Safed. Originally dedicated to the Prophet Elijah almost 300 years before Rabbi Isaac Luria (the Ari) came to Safed in the 16th century, it is said that the Ari prayed there and communed with Elijah. The building has undergone some modifications over the years, having been used by the Haganah as a defense position from the roof during the War of Independence in 1948-the Torahs were removed temporarily and slits were cut into the southern wall out of which they could fire. To this day, some of Safed's oldest families are included in the synagogue's regular worshippers. If you would like to pay the Sephardic Synagogue of the Ari a visit while you travel in Israel you should note that the Saturday service commences at 7:45 A.M.