Send a Prayer to the grave of R. Shlomo Alkabetz

Passed on in 5340 (1580 CE) and is interred in Safed. Rabbi Shlomo HaLevi Alkabetz was one of the great kabbalists living in Safed during the time of the great luminaries of Kabbala: Rabbi Moshe Cordovero (Ramak) and Rabbi Yitzchak Luria (Arizal). Rabbi Shlomo is most renowned for his hymn "Lecha Dodi", sung at the inauguration of the Sabbath. It was composed according to kabbalistic teachings regarding the ascent of the sefira of malchut (which represents both the Shechinah and the Jewish soul) on the Sabbath, and it therefore expresses the yearning of the Shechina and the Jewish soul for the redemption. The hymn became so popular that it was incorporated into the Sabbath liturgy of every community. Rabbi Shlomo was born in Salonika around 5260 (1500 CE). Shortly after marrying, he and his wife decided to settle in the Holy Land. Only in the Holy Land, he insisted, could one fathom the secrets of Torah. Rabbi Shlomo arrived in Safed around 5295 (1535 CE) where he settled. Rabbi Shlomo attributed much of his depth of understanding to his custom of prostrating himself at the gravesides of tzadikim. Many students were drawn to him and his teachings, including Rabbi Moshe Cordovero - the Ramak [who married Rabbi Shlomo's sister].