In 1837 there were around 4,000 Jews in Safed . The Galilee earthquake of 1837 was particularly catastrophic for the Jewish population , as the Jewish quarter was located on the hillside . About half their number perished , resulting in around 2,000 deaths . Of the 2,158 inhabitants killed , 1507 were Ottoman subjects . The southern , Muslim section of the town suffered far less damage . The following year , in 1838 , the Druze rebels robbed the city over the course of three days , killing many among the Jews . In 1840 , Ottoman rule was restored . In 1847 , plague struck Safed again . The Jewish population increased in the last half of the 19th century by immigration from Persia , Morocco , and Algeria . Moses Montefiore visited Safed seven times and financed rebuilding of much of the town
Galilee earthquake of 1837
Galilee earthquake of 1837
Safed