Russian coach Shamil Tarpischev decided to play Safin in Saturday's doubles, alongside Igor Kunitsyn, a decision Safin said he respected. Igor Andreev and Mikhail Youzhny will play the singles matches.
"It is important not to take chances but to play with the best combination," said Safin, whose sister Dinara Safina is the top-ranked woman's player in the world. "I felt like I wasn't in the best shape right now so I needed some extra days to get ready."
The 29-year-old Russian, who says he will retire at the end of this year, is currently ranked 60th after losing in the first round of Wimbledon.
Friday's opening match will feature Andreev, ranked 24th, against 210th-ranked Israeli Harel Levy.
"I will try to play well and try to win and give the first point to our team. I have had enough time to prepare myself," Andreev said after the draw in Tel Aviv.
Israel's top player Dudi Sela, ranked 33rd and who two weeks ago became the first Israeli man in 20 years to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon, will then face Youzhny, ranked 69th.
"Youzhny is a very good player who helped them win the Davis Cup a few years ago," Sela said.
The matchups will switch round on Sunday.
In between, Safin and Kunitsyn, ranked 35th, will play Israel's doubles tandem of Andy Ram and Jonathan Erlich.
The Israeli pair captured the doubles crown at the 2008 Australian Open - Israel's only Grand Slam victory.
Israel is aiming to make the Davis Cup semifinals for the first time in its history while the Russians are expecting to advance to the final four for the fifth straight time.
