Celebrating 39 Years Since The Jewish People Returned to Biblical Shiloh, Part 3

In the Book of Joshua, Shiloh is one of the cities which was open and waiting for the Jewish People, unlike others which needed to be liberated/conquered in battle. The same situation existed post-1967 Six Days War. Besides the occasional pilgrim or archeological expedition, Shiloh had been deserted since after some time after the Destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

The situation in Shiloh was completely unlike other Biblical cities such as Hebron and Shechem which had attracted Arabs, Moslems. There were times until a few hundred years ago, when Christians built churches in Shiloh, but unlike Bethlehem and Nazareth, there is no narrative that directly connects Shiloh to Christianity. And the same goes for Islam.

The only religion with a historic/narrative connection to Shiloh is Judaism.

So after the 1967 Six Days War when the first group of Jews, who became founders of Gush Emunim, began thinking of important and significant places to settle Shiloh was at the top of the list. And it was davka the fact that the site was completely deserted which pushed it down from the Number One spot.

Model of the Tabernacle in Shiloh Hakeduma

For those who may not know or remember, Shiloh was the first Capital of the Jewish Nation/People predating Jerusalem. The mobile Temple aka the Mishkan, Tabernacle, which had accompanied the Jewish People as it trekked through the Wilderness for forty years was set up in Shiloh.

Shiloh's main central Synagogue was designed to resemble the Biblical Tabernacle.

Night view of Shiloh's Mishkan Tabernacle Synagogue

This large, flat location on the northern end of Tel Shiloh, Shiloh Hakeduma, is believed by experts to have been the spot where the Tabernacle stood and was in use as a Place of Jewish Worship for 369 years.

For the past few years I've been inviting women to join me every Rosh Chodesh, the beginning of the Jewish Month, for Women's Prayers. In the Bible we read of how Chana, Hannah came with her husband to celebrate the Jewish Holidays. She was barren and went by herself to pray to Gd for a child whom she'd dedicate to Gd. The following year, she gave birth to Shmuel Hanavi, Samuel the Prophet who transitioned the Jewish People into being a Kingdom. He anointed and mentored King Saul, who was the first King and then anointed David who was able to communicate directly with Gd and later had Natan as his Prophet.

For thousands of years Shiloh has been a traditional site for prayer, especially for women, and since Rosh Chodesh is considered the "women's holiday" I felt that we must come monthly and pray together.

Women's Prayers at Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh
Rosh Chodesh Adar, 5777
Sunday February 26, 2017
30th of Shvat, 5777, 8:30am
Hallel and Musaf for Rosh Chodesh
Tour of Tel Shiloh
Dvar Torah, Short Torah Lesson
Please come and invite family, friends and neighbors.

תפילת נשים ראש חודש אדר
בשילה הקדומה, תל שילה יום א'
26-2-2017 ל' שבט, תשע"ז 8:30
הלל ומוסף לראש חודש
יהיה דבר תורה קצר וסיור בתל
כדאי לבוא ולהזמין חברות, משפחה ושכנות


There's lots more to do at Shiloh Hakeduma besides our monthly prayers, so I suggest that you contact them and visit. For more information call 02-994-4019.