Solomon Ben Moses Ha-Levi Alkabets

(c. 1505-1584). Kabbalist, preacher, and poet; best known for his Sabbath eve hymn Lekhah Dodi. While living in his native Turkey, Alkabets first met Joseph Caro and, following a shared mystical experience, they initiated the custom of studying Torah throughout the night of Shavu'Ot (see also Tikkun). Having persuaded Caro to leave with him for Erets Israel, Alkabets reached Safed in 1535 and played a leading role in the kabbalistic circle that developed there. Many of his works vanished or were stolen after his death. Alkabets was an impressive and influential mystic; one of his chief disciples, Moses Cordovero, became his brother-in-law and the two men seem to have influenced each other doctrinally. The practice of "going out into the fields" around Safed to welcome the Sabbath with psalms and hymns (Kabbalat Shabbat) may well have been inspired by Alkabets.

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