and the seat of the rabbinic Sanhedrin, the birthplace of the Mishna and of the Palestinian Talmud (cf. Part II., § 14). It is still the resort and the dwelling-place of orthodox Jews, and continues to be a favourite place of Talmudic study.
The town lies 681 ft. below sea-level and, as seen from the hills overlooking the lake, is of picturesque appearance. It is built, like many towns of Syria and Trans-jordania, of black basalt, which gives it, on closer approach, a somewhat sombre look. It is partly enclosed within walls and bastions, built or restored by ʾOmar al-Daher.
A little to the south of Tiberias are the hot baths described in Part IV., § 6, and below these, again, is the tomb of the celebrated Talmudist Rabbi Meir. The tombs of the philosopher Maimonides and of Rabbi Ben Akiba lie to the north of the town.
At the northern end of the lake is Capernaum (Tel Hum), whose interesting synagogue, now in process of excavation, is referred to in § 1 above.
Safed.—Safed is the northernmost town of any size in Palestine (c. 12,500 inhabitants) and stands at a height of 2,749 ft. Like Tiberias, Safed is a Jewish holy town, which it became after the expulsion of the Jews from Spain and Portugal. It then developed as a centre for the study of the Kabbala; and we have seen in Part II., § 14, that the first printing press in Palestine was set up at Safed in 1563.
Safed contains the remains of a Templar castle, and commands an extensive view towards Mt. Hermon and the north. At Meiron, north-west of Safed, are the tombs of Hillel and other famous Jewish teachers, to which pilgrims resort in great numbers on the 30th April of each year.[1]
For Lake Huleh (the Waters of Merom), see Part I., § 2.
- ↑ For an explanation of the burnt-offerings which are still made by the pilgrims on this occasion see Sir J. G. Frazer, Adonis, Attis, Osiris (3rd edn, revised, 1919), vol.i., pp. 178–9.
