Morris M. Faierstein, “Safed Kabbalah and the Sephardic Heritage,” in Zohar, pp. 196-208.

 *some help from Professor Lesses' study guide* 

1. What can explain the rise of a new kind of Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism) in Safed in historical terms? What events was it responding to (e.g., the expulsion from Spain), and how did it come to terms with them?

 -exile

-the idea that God is in exile with the Jews and it is their responsibility to change things by performing Jewish rituals

-some believed that it was the sins of the Jewish people that caused the exile

2. What are the most important aspects of Safed Kabbalah?

 -ascetic behavior (ie: proper sexual behavior)

-contemplative exercises  (ie: mystical knowledge)

-ritual innovation (ie: vigils)

-creation

3. How does it view the redemption of the Jewish people?

 -redemption will only occur if those who need to be redeemed work hard for it

-mystical devotion during prayer

-fulfilling commandments

-asceticism

-ethical deeds 

-rite for Rachel-lamenting of one's sins

4. What new rituals did Safed Kabbalah create?

-2 types of Tikkun

-night vigils on the festivals of Shavnot, Passover, and Hoshonah RObah

-daily night vigil-relates to exile and redemtion of Shejhinah