It’s Rosh Chodesh, the beginning of the Jewish Month of Cheshvan. In a couple of hours, my friends and I will go to one of the most ancient sites of Jewish Prayer, Shiloh HaKeduma at Tel Shiloh, where the Biblical Mishkan, Tabernacle stood for almost four hundred years.
Recent archaeological discoveries prove that the Jewish connection to Shiloh continued long after King David moved the Capital of the Jewish Kingdom to Jerusalem and his son King Solomon built the Holy Temple.
A number of years ago, when I saw how people were fighting at the Jerusalem bus station to get on the buses to Kever Rachel, Rachel’s Tomb I got the idea to invite Jewish women to pray together at Tel Shiloh on Rosh Chodesh. I do this as a “private initiative.” So far, few women attend, although the Shiloh HaKeduma annual T’fillat Chana brings thousands and thousands every year. I’m glad they come. The excitement is amazing. Dozens of buses bring women from all over the country.
I have no doubt that more and more women will soon begin their pilgrimage to Shiloh much more often. We’ll have many, many more on Rosh Chodesh and on other days, too.
If you’d like more information, join our facebook page or contact me.
Tel Shiloh is open to visitors daily. Tours can be arranged through the Shiloh HaKeduma, Ancient Shiloh office. Email visit
Visit Shiloh Musings.