TU B'Av, Love Those Shiloh Grapes

TU b'Av isn't the Jewish/Israeli Valentine's Day.  It has a different purpose, actually two. 

• celebrates the beginning of the grape harvest
• celebrates the unification of the Jewish tribes by intermarriage between them

I returned home from the states last week on the eve of TU b'Av, the 16th of Av.  I immediately felt a difference in the weather.  There is an increase in humidity, especially at night. The dew is heavier; you can easily feel the moisture in the air.

I was excited to see that our dark grapes have been ripening.  The dark purple ones aer very sweet, and the lighter ones are edible.  Not long ago I learned that TU b'Av is considered a pilgrimage festival, and all of the pilgrimage festivals have a connection to agriculture. 

The Biblical tradition was to go to Shiloh on the 16th of Av with the first ripe grapes.  Today, like in Biblical times, the mountains of Efrayim and Samaria are especially suited for growing grapes and making wines.  Today there are numerous boutique wineries in the area, and many of the owners have received prestigious prizes in international wine competitions.

Not all of our grapes have ripened already.  Our green grapes should be ripe in a couple of weeks, probably around Rosh Chodesh Elul.  And speaking of Rosh Chodesh Elul, let's not forget the Women's Rosh Chodesh Prayers at Tel Shiloh.

The Rosh Chodesh Elul Women's Prayers at
Shiloh HaKeduma, Ancient Shiloh, Tel Shiloh

Sunday, August 19, 2012 8:30am
Shiur Torah, Short Tour and Torah Lesson
Please come, and invite family, friends and neighbors
תפילת נשים ראש חודש אלול שילה הקדומה, בתל שילה
יום א' 19-8 8:30
יהיו סיור ודבר תורה קצרים
כולן מוזמנות
לפרסם ולהזמין חברות, משפחה ושכנות

You're welcome to join our facebook page. Tel Shiloh is open to visitors daily. Tours can be arranged through the Shiloh HaKeduma, Ancient Shiloh office. Email telshilo@gmail.com or phone 02-994-4019.