Solomon ha-Levi Alkabetz

Solomon ha-Levi Alkabetz was a kabbalist and mystical poet. In 1529, Alkabetz embarked on a journey to the land of Israel, during which he visited Adrianople, met Joseph Karo in Nikopolis—where the two apparently initiated the custom of studying throughout the night of Shavuot—and preached in various locations. He finally completed his journey in 1535, settling in Safed. Alkabetz was a prolific author, composing works about kabbalah and the Bible, although many manuscripts of his works were stolen after his death and none of his purely kabbalistic texts have survived. According to legend, Alkabetz meditated at the graves of saints in order to understand the secrets of the Zohar. He is also said to have established the custom of going out into the fields to greet the Sabbath.