Across the Galilee, from Safed to Meron to Tiberias, the tombs of Jewish sages and mystics dot the hillsides. Visiting these graves is one of the oldest traditions in Judaism, and in northern Israel, the concentration of holy tombs is unmatched anywhere in the world.
The Tradition
The practice of visiting graves of the righteous (kivrei tzadikim) goes back to biblical times. In Jewish tradition, the merit of the deceased can intercede on behalf of the living, and the tombs of great rabbis are places of prayer, petition, and spiritual connection. The Ari elevated this practice into a central part of his Kabbalistic system, teaching that the souls of the righteous remain active at their burial places.
Key Sites
The tomb of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai at Meron is the most visited. The old cemetery of Safed holds the graves of the Ari, Rabbi Joseph Caro, and many other luminaries of the 16th-century golden age. In Tiberias, the tombs of Maimonides, Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes, and Rabbi Akiva draw pilgrims year-round.
Each tomb has its own customs and traditions. Some visitors light candles. Others leave written prayers. At Meron, three-year-old boys receive their first haircuts at the tomb of Rashbi on Lag BaOmer.
Visit with Hoshen Tours
Hoshen Tours designs pilgrimage itineraries that visit the most significant tombs in the Galilee, with guides who can explain the traditions, the history, and the spiritual significance of each site.