The Tzemach Tzedek synagogue in Tzfat is a central landmark for the local Lubavitch community. The Lubavitch Hassidim, also known as “Chabad,” operate a large and growing community outside of the Old City on Mount Canaan which dates to the early 1970s. Chabad’s Safed origins, however, can be traced to the Ashkanazi “aliyah” -- immigration -- of the 18th century, along with the Tzemach Tzedek shul on Hatam Sofer Street.

Chabad Chassidus Origins Inside Tzemach Tzedek.The Chassidic movement originated in the early 18th century in an area near the Polish/Ukrainian border. The Grand Master of the movement, the “Ba’al Shem Tov” taught that, contrary to the prevailing emphasis of the day, Jewish scholarship was not the only way to please God. Hassidic philosophy emphasized the importance of serving God through joyful and heartfelt worship and service. Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Lidai was a follower of the Hasidic movement during its third generation. Rabbi Shneur Zalman, known as the “Alter Rebbe,” went on to establish a new branch of the movement called Chabad, which combined Torah scholarship with Hassidic philosophy. After Rabbi Shneur Zalman’s death, his son Dov Baer, accepted the mantle of Chabad leadership. Rabbi Dov Baer settled, together with his followers, in the town of Lubavitch in White Russia. Immigration to Tzfat In 1777 Ashkanazi -- Eastern European -- Jews began to immigrate to Israel in large numbers. Hassidic Jews, including followers of the Chabad movement, paved the way, encouraged by Rabbi Shneur Zalman. The Hassidim traveled with Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk and established communities in Tzfat and Tiberias. Their immigration received financial support through the efforts of Rabbi Shneur Zalman who had remained in Moholiev Russia.;Chabad in Tzfat In the early 1800s the third Lubavitcher Rebbe, known as the “Tzemach Tzedek” acquired the land for a synagogue in Safed in the eastern sector of the Jewish Quarter. His followers built the shul and named it the “Tzemach Tzedek.” The synagogue served the Chabad community for many years as the central Chabad site of Tzfat. By the early 20th century the entire Tzfat Jewish population began to decline due to disease, economic stress and famine. At this point the Tzemach Tzedek synagogue fell into disrepair.;