Kenes Shiloh 2022, Better Than Ever

I've included a selection of photos in no particular order.

There was  wealth of talks this past Sunday at the 11th Kenes Shiloh at Shiloh Hakeduma, Ancient Shiloh, the location of the Biblical Tabernacle. 

I particularly enjoyed the Biblical ones, since my "chevruta," the Bible study group I'm in has been learning Jeremiah, which was mentioned by some of the speakers. In Jeremiah the destruction is mentioned as a given, though there is nothing written about such an event prior. Good question.

The archeology section of the talks concentrated on new discoveries highlighting Scott Stripling, who was finally able to bring his professionally skilled volunteers for a dig and our home-grown archeologist Reut Leviatan Ben-Arye. 

In the "basilica," there was an exhibit celebrating one hundred years since the Danish expedition to Shiloh, the first modern dig here.

Shiloh Hakeduma, Ancient Shiloh is open weekdays, and I highly recommend visiting. There's lots to see and do. It can also be reached by public transportation, a short walk from the Shiloh Junction. Contact Phone: 02-5789122, Fax: 02-9948011 or visit@telshilo.org.il.

  

Scott Stripling

Reut Leviatan Ben-Arye

Kenes Shiloh 10 כנס שילה

Tuesday afternoon-evening I was among the many Bible, History, Archeology buffs who had a wonderful time at Shiloh Hakeduma's Kenes Shiloh 10 כנס שילה.

As I do every year, I took the tour to see the new findings. There wasn't much, because corona forced many of the usual digs to be cancelled. But tools had been found. 

After the tour showing us what had been discovered recently, there were a large variety of lectures. Of course, not all the speakers agreed with each other. I think that the lectures were recorded. For more information, contact Shiloh Hakeduma; facebook page.

Looking forward to next year's Kenes Shiloh, Gd willing. 

Kenes Shiloh Conference #8 Stupendous!

I really enjoyed the Kenes Shiloh Conference #8 this past Thursday. I arrived early enough to make the tour. The tour for us ended at the newest attraction, which is a high tech illustration of life in Ancient Biblical Shiloh by the Canaanite Wall, where the enormous food jugs had been discovered about forty years ago. One of them is on display in the Israel Museum.

There were some really great talks at the conference part of the event. Highlights for me were listening to Scott Stripling, who has been leading a "dig" in Shiloh for the past three years, Reut Ben-Arye, a homegrown archeologist, and Dr Brachi Elitzur.

I wouldn't dare attempt to summarize or explain anything said there. All I can do is post some pictures I took at the conference and recommend that you visit Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh.  Enjoy.

Rosh Chodesh Av, Ladies, Join Us in Prayer

Friday August 2, 2019 will be Rosh Chodesh Av 5779, the beginning of the Jewish month of Av. It's a sad day on the Jewish Calendar, as it begins the "Nine Days," a period of heightened mourning of the destruction of the Holy Temple.

We're soon beginning the period of the "Three Weeks" which is "bookended" by fast days, 17th of Tammuz, a daytime fast, and the 9th of Av, which is a 25 hour fast. Over the millenia many terrible things happened to the Jewish People on these dates.

Even though Rosh Chodesh Av is a sad day, we still pray all the usual Rosh Chodesh Prayers, including Hallel. There will be Women's Rosh Chodesh Prayers at Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh.

Rosh Chodesh Av, Friday 1st of Av, 5779, August 2, 2019 at 8:30am, Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh. For more information email me shilohmuse@gmail.com, subject: Rosh Chodesh.

תפילת נשים בראש חודש אב תהיה יום ו', א' באב, ,8:30 2-8-2019 בשילה הקדומה, תל שילה. לפרטים נוספים, shilohmuse@gmail.com subject: Rosh Chodesh.

We pray traditionally, silent prayers silently, and Hallel is sung together. We hope more women will join us at Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh.

Shiloh is one of the holiest cities for the Jewish People. It was the very first capital, predating Jerusalem. The Mishkan, Tabernacle was brought to Shiloh a by Joshua after entering the Holy Land. There wasn't even need for a battle to take over Shiloh. The city welcomed the Jewish returnees, very much like in recent times.

Today, besides the vibrant town of Shiloh and the many surrounding Jewish communities, the area where the Tabernacle once stood is now a fully recognized archeological site. People come from all over the world to visit, learn, tour and dig. By the way, there will be the 8th Kenes Shiloh on July 25, 2019. The event is in Hebrew and includes tours and lectures.

For more information about visiting Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh, contact visit@telshilo.org.il, or call 02-5789111. It's suitable for all ages.

Enjoying a Day of Tanach/Bible at Herzog

For my summer treat, I signed up for a day at Michlelet Herzog, Herzog College's Tanach/Bible Yom Iyun. It's not cheap, and next year I may try a different program.

But I must admit that some of my favorite Tanach teachers are at Herzog, and I like the fact that I can study in both Hebrew and English. OK most classes I sign up for are in English. When you're dealing with five challenging and information filled lectures in one day choosing native tongue is a wise decision.  It's much easier to absorb the material.

To be perfectly honest, there were times I not only couldn't follow, but I even dozed off. But please remember that I had spent the day before at Kenes Shiloh, which not only was full of lectures until late at night, but began with a tour/hike in the hot sun.

I'm glad that I went to Herzog, even though I wasn't the ideal student. FYI the shiurim/lectures will be posted on their site. I plan on listening to them over and over. That way I'll really get my money's worth.

If you attended, what was your experience?