Town in Galilee, Israel. In the 16th century Safed became the spiritual and economic enter of the Jewish community in Eretz Israel and its influence was felt throughout the Jewish world. Among its leading personalities were R. Isaac Luria (the Ari), R. Joseph Caro, Moses Cordovero. R. Solomon Alkabetz, R Haim Vital and R. Israel Nagara, poets, kabbalists and halachists. (14.626)