Scenes from Tefillat Chana, Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh, 5774

As I had written on Shiloh Musings, I did go to this year's Tefillat Chana at Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh. It was beautiful and such a treat for me to see thousands of women of all ages from all over Israel. Teffillat Chana means "Hannah's Prayer."

Hannah's Prayer is in the Bible, 1Samuel 2:1-10.

א  וַתִּתְפַּלֵּל חַנָּה, וַתֹּאמַר, עָלַץ לִבִּי בַּיהוָה, רָמָה קַרְנִי בַּיהוָה; רָחַב פִּי עַל-אוֹיְבַי, כִּי שָׂמַחְתִּי בִּישׁוּעָתֶךָ.	1 And Hannah prayed, and said: my heart exulteth in the LORD, my horn is exalted in the LORD; my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in Thy salvation.
ב  אֵין-קָדוֹשׁ כַּיהוָה, כִּי אֵין בִּלְתֶּךָ; וְאֵין צוּר, כֵּאלֹהֵינוּ.	2 There is none holy as the LORD, for there is none beside Thee; neither is there any rock like our God.
ג  אַל-תַּרְבּוּ תְדַבְּרוּ גְּבֹהָה גְבֹהָה, יֵצֵא עָתָק מִפִּיכֶם:  כִּי אֵל דֵּעוֹת יְהוָה, ולא (וְלוֹ) נִתְכְּנוּ עֲלִלוֹת.	3 Multiply not exceeding proud talk; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth; for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed.
ד  קֶשֶׁת גִּבֹּרִים, חַתִּים; וְנִכְשָׁלִים, אָזְרוּ חָיִל.	4 The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.
ה  שְׂבֵעִים בַּלֶּחֶם נִשְׂכָּרוּ, וּרְעֵבִים חָדֵלּוּ, עַד-עֲקָרָה יָלְדָה שִׁבְעָה, וְרַבַּת בָּנִים אֻמְלָלָה.	5 They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry have ceased; while the barren hath borne seven, she that had many children hath languished.
ו  יְהוָה, מֵמִית וּמְחַיֶּה; מוֹרִיד שְׁאוֹל, וַיָּעַל.	6 The LORD killeth, and maketh alive; He bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.
ז  יְהוָה, מוֹרִישׁ וּמַעֲשִׁיר; מַשְׁפִּיל, אַף-מְרוֹמֵם.	7 The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich; He bringeth low, He also lifteth up.
ח  מֵקִים מֵעָפָר דָּל, מֵאַשְׁפֹּת יָרִים אֶבְיוֹן, לְהוֹשִׁיב עִם-נְדִיבִים, וְכִסֵּא כָבוֹד יַנְחִלֵם:  כִּי לַיהוָה מְצֻקֵי אֶרֶץ, וַיָּשֶׁת עֲלֵיהֶם תֵּבֵל.	8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, He lifteth up the needy from the dung-hill, to make them sit with princes, and inherit the throne of glory; for the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, and He hath set the world upon them.
ט  רַגְלֵי חֲסִידָו יִשְׁמֹר, וּרְשָׁעִים בַּחֹשֶׁךְ יִדָּמּוּ:  כִּי-לֹא בְכֹחַ, יִגְבַּר-אִישׁ.	9 He will keep the feet of His holy ones, but the wicked shall be put to silence in darkness; for not by strength shall man prevail.
י  יְהוָה יֵחַתּוּ מְרִיבָו, עָלָו בַּשָּׁמַיִם יַרְעֵם--יְהוָה, יָדִין אַפְסֵי-אָרֶץ; וְיִתֶּן-עֹז לְמַלְכּוֹ, וְיָרֵם קֶרֶן מְשִׁיחוֹ.  {פ}	10 They that strive with the LORD shall be broken to pieces; against them will He thunder in heaven; the LORD will judge the ends of the earth; and He will give strength unto His king, and exalt the horn of His anointed. {P}

This is Hannah's prayer of thanksgiving, stating the power of G-d over all, over life and death. She made this prayer after handing her precious, long prayed for son Samuel to Eli the High Priest. Hannah hadn't asked for a son just for selfish, maternal needs. Hannah knew that her son could change the world, transform the anarchic Jewish tribes into a G-d focused People ruled by a king.

Hannah's Prayer was said out-loud in unison led by Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi. This prayer is a reminder that our children are given to us by G-d, and at a time we must let go.

Tefillat Chana is held annually a week before Rosh Hashannah. For more information Shiloh Hakeduma and its features and activities check the site or contact the office,  Email visit@telshilo.org.il  or phone 02-994-4019.