VIRTUAL JEWISH MUSEUM

The four holy cities

The term “four holy cities of Israel” (ארבע ערי הקודש) refers to Jerusalem, Hebron, Tzefat / Safed and Tiberias. These cities were considered holy since the inhabitants were punctilious in their service of G‑d and took extra precaution in matters of purity. Each one of these four cities is considered unique and holy for different reasons. However, the term “four holy cities of Israel” was coined in the 16th century when these cities banded together for charitable purposes.  Their leading rabbis established that communities throughout the diaspora would raise money to support their brethren in Israel, and messengers from the four cities would collect the money and split it proportionally between the cities. These postcards from a century ago portray each of the cities.