Zefat, also Safad or Safed, town in northeastern Israel, in the Galilee region, near Haifa. Zefat is one of the four holy cities of Judaism; Jerusalem, Hebron, and Tiberias are the other three. Zefat is a summer resort and artists' colony. In the 16th century it became a center of cabalistic learning, retaining this position well into the next century. Today Zefat is once more a center of Jewish mystical studies. Earthquake and plague reduced the town's population severely in the 18th century, but it was resettled in the last quarter of that century. Zefat was again damaged by an earthquake in 1837. Population (1998 estimate) 23,762.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
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