1837 Galilee earthquake devastates Safed and Ottoman Syria

Background. The Galilee earthquake of 1837 occurred along the Dead Sea Transform fault system. The region was formally part of the Ottoman Empire but was under Egyptian control at the time. The main shock occurred on Sunday, January 1, 1837, around four in the afternoon, followed by a second strong shock five minutes later. The event was felt as far as 500 kilometers away.

Damage and Casualties. The earthquake caused significant destruction in Safed and Tiberias. In Safed, about half of the 4,000-strong Jewish community perished, and all fourteen synagogues were destroyed. In Tiberias, heavy damage was sustained, with 600 people killed and many homes and city walls destroyed. The event was assessed as intensity VIII on the Medvedev–Sponheuer–Karnik scale.

Relief and Recovery. Relief efforts in Safed were initially limited. A temporary hospital was set up on January 19, and a doctor was hired to distribute medicine. The philanthropy of Moses Montefiore helped rebuild synagogues and homes in Safed. The earthquake also prompted the flight of 600 Perushim to Jerusalem, while surviving Sephardic and Hasidic Jews mostly remained.