So two weeks ago, my family took our first visit to the mystical city of Safed in Israel.
This is the town of the Ari, Rabbi Isaac Luria, Rabbi Yosef Caro, author of the Shluchan Aruch, Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz, author of the Sabbath hymn, Lecha Dodi.
The power and feeling of the small city are transcends one’s soul.
And it all comes together when one visits the cemetery where the tombs of the ancient Kabbalists are traditionally painted in blue. There, people light candles and, pray and give charity. Some sit all day and pray by the graves.
Okay, so here’s where I digress. I apologize in advance if what I’m about to say is offensive.
But with the level of holiness at the cemetery in Safed, I was taken aback by the trash.
There is litter everywhere. Empty water bottles, old metal candle containers, papers, blue plastic grocery bags. Yes, the cemetery has been badly damaged by time and by earthquakes. But it’s been equally defiled by human laziness.
While we were there, a contingent numbering at least 500 yeshiva students prayed at the top of the cemetery’s hill. Then they walked down enmasse to the Ari’s grave. I wanted so badly to say to their leader, why don’t you have each student pick up one crushed paper cup and place it in a garbage bag.
They were praying so beautifully, so diligently, but I don’t think the Ari would have minded a bit if the place of his eternal rest was glorified not just by words, but by action. And how much does it take to pick up a piece of trash.
Interestingly next to the ancient cemetery is the military cemetery. These are the heroes who defended their country, and their places of rest were uncluttered, unlittered and dignified.
Yet these 500 students on this day weren’t over on the military side thanking them for their supreme sacrifices. But that’s a whole different story.
Yes Safed is everything you’ve heard about, mystical, spiritual and perhaps life changing. But its cemetery while uplifted by prayer, is defiled by simple negligence. The Ari, Yosef Caro deserve better.