Rosh Chodesh Adar Increases Joy ראש חודש אדר מרבים בשמחה

שבועה הבא ראש חודש אדר תפפ"ז

Next week is Rosh Chodesh Adar 5787

While you're at it, visit all of Tel Ancient Shiloh. It's an amazing archeological site. For more information contact 02-578-9111 or visit@telshilo.org.il.

אנחנו מתפללות במקום המשכן איפה חנה התפללה

We pray at the location of the Mishkan Tabernacle, where the Biblical Chana prayed.

Women's Rosh Chodesh Elul Prayers at Ancient Shiloh

For those who have learned some Bible, the most well-known prayer by a woman was when Chana/Hannah prayed in Shiloh. I'm a longtime resident of Shiloh-- more than forty years-- and well over twenty years ago, I started inviting women to join me on Rosh Chodesh to pray Hallel and Musaf together. 

Ancient Tel Shiloh is the exact location mentioned many times in the Tanach/Bible, where the Mishkan/Tabernacle rested for close to four hundred 400 years. שילה הקדומה Shiloh Hakeduma, Ancient Shiloh is a well developed, attractive archeology site with a gift shop and snack bar. It's possible to arrange tours or tour on your own. There are activities for those of all ages. For more information +972-2-5789111 visit@telshilo.org.il.

Ladies, join us if you can. If not, arrange to got to Ancient Shiloh another time.

Jerusalem Old City, Burnt House & Davidson Center

Less than two weeks ago, my Tanach/Bible learning group, aka chevruta, went to a couple of Jerusalem's Old City-- Rova Yehudi-- Jewish Quarter museums. The Burnt House and Davidson Archeological Center, which are extremely different.

First we went to the Burnt House, which is the same sort of "museum" as Plugat Hakotel, which I've visited a few times. Plugat Hakotel is in the building we had lived in when we first made aliyah-- moved to Israel, so it's very special to me. Both museums are located in accurately historic locations and offer a fictionalized versions of what had happened there.

In the Burnt house the movie is in Hebrew, English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese and French

Davka, both museums write it up as a young man's story to help people identify with the history. The big difference is the eras when the stories happen, the Burnt House a couple thousand years ago and Plugat Hakotel close to a hundred years ago. Heroism is idealized, of course, which is good. 

The Burnt House is comfortable and recommended for those who can't walk easily, since you sit to watch the movie.

After the Burnt House we walked to the Archeological Garden Davidson Center, which can best be described as a "mixed bag." First with the good things. We took the tour led by a very charming young lady. Yes, there's a lot of walking and steps, so if you or some of your group isn't up to it, find out about an easier version. There are indoor parts of the tour which would be much easier, but we all managed quiet well. You can also do the tour on your own, following the instructions they'll give you when you pay and enter.

We walked around a section of the Kotel, Western Wall of the Temple Compound and around to the Southern Wall. It's all so majestic. Our guide explained why the building stones are so different in the same wall, the time periods and the builders.

We were mesmerized by the views and the stories. Luckily we were all up to the walking and steps. 

Following our guide, we ended up inside the archeological museum where there were movies, mostly short and one longer. One movie explained the significance of the seven branched menorah, but they made a mistake. They started off correctly saying that the seven branches were for the seven days of the week, but they got the days wrong. they stated that the middle, tallest branch was Wednesday, the fourth day of the wee, but that's wrong. The middle branch is for Shabbat, the most important day of the week.

Judaism has Shabbat at the center of the week. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday one prepares for Shabbat, and then Sunday, Monday and Tuesday one "cleans up" from Shabbat and can make the Havdala prayer, which ends one's observance of Shabbat. I checked this out with a rabbi friend, who said that I'm correct. I'm surprised that the mistake hadn't been caught and corrected soon after the museum reopened a few years ago.

We followed our guide further and I can't imagine going through this museum without a guide...

Then we got to the movie they had about Jerusalem which I remembered from my visit soon after the Davidson Center had reopened. I was very upset with the movie then and even more so this visit. 

The best way of describing it is that it's a "woke" version of the history of Jerusalem, intentionally masking and confusing the timeline, history of the city to give the impression that Judaism, Christianity and Islam have been around in the same timeframe. 

The truth is very different. Judaism began about two thousand 2,000 years before Christianity. The Jewish Bible begins its story almost six thousand 6,000 years ago. Christianity is barely two thousand years old, and Islam began about five hundred years later.

The Jewish People were ruled by Jewish Kings in Jerusalem and had two Holy Temples there before either of those religions even began. 

I was terribly disturbed by the sections about Islam. They were like knives in the back. It's clear that whoever wrote the screenplay for that section has an agenda, and it's not a good one. As you can see here, an Arab man and boy are playing chess. The man is showing the boy how to win. There's no actual history; it's sneaky at best. The more I think about it, the angrier I get. There was no need at all to add it. It doesn't relate to the rest of the movie in any way. Jerusalem isn't even mentioned in the Koran. It's political, anti-Israel and anti-Jewish.

I hate to end this blog post in such a negative way, because I really did enjoy most of my time in the Davidson Center.

Rosh Chodesh Marcheshvan Tomorrow

Sorry, I should have posted this much earlier.

There's also plenty to do at Tel Shiloh, which is an amazing archeology site. https://www.facebook.com/@AncientShilo

+972 2-578-9111

visit@telshilo.org.il

Rosh Chodesh Tamuz Women's Prayers

 תפילת ראש חודש נשים בשילה הקדומה בתל שילה

Join us at Ancient Shiloh, Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh the same location mentioned in the Bible. Yes, it's the place where the Mishkan Tabernacle stood for 369 years, Chana Hannah prayed for a son and later brought her precious son, Shmuel Samuel to be trained for leadership. Today there's a wonderful archeological site with activities and explanations for all ages to enjoy. Contact 02-578-9111, visit@telshilo.org.il. Accessible by public transportation.

Rosh Chodesh Adar Soon-- No Joke!

It's said that the month of Adar increases joy. One can look at it as the tail end of winter, and we're very ready for the warmth of spring and tapering off of rain. There's also the fact that the Purim holiday is in the middle of Adar, and it celebrates Gd's love for the Jewish People, His miracles against all odds, even in the Diaspora.

Rosh Chodesh Adar 5783 (2023) is actually two days, the 30th of Shevat and the 1st of Adar. Our Women's Rosh Chodesh Prayers at Tel Shiloh will, Gd willing, be Tuesday February 21, 2023, 8:30am.

תפילת נשים ראש חודש אדר בע"ה יהיה יום ג' 21\02\2023 ל' שבט תשפ"ג ב8:30 בשילה הקדומה

You're invited to join us. There's also a lot to see and do in Tel Shiloh where the Biblical Tabernacle was located for close to four hundred 400 years. For more information contact Shiloh Hakeduma 02-5789122, visit@telshilo.org.il.

Join Us Rosh Chodesh Adar

 

For thousands of years Jewish women have come to Shiloh to pray to Gd. Rosh Chodesh, the beginning of the New Month, is the traditional holiday for women, so I've been inviting women to join me at Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh to pray together. Especially now when our lives have been so challenged by COVID corona, we need to be together and pray.

Shiloh Hakeduma is the same location as Biblical Shiloh, where the Mishkan Tabernacle stood for almost four hundred years and Hannah prayed for a son who would rescue the Jewish People from the chaos of the Time of Judges, Samuel The Prophet.

Today there's a wonderful archeological park in Tel Shiloh with all sorts of attractions for all ages to learn from and enjoy. For more information 02-5789122 and visit@telshilo.org.il.

Save The Date: Rosh Chodesh Sivan 5779, Tuesday June 4, 2019

Our next Women's Rosh Chodesh Prayers will be Rosh Chodesh Sivan 5779, Tuesday June 4, 2019, Gd willing at Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh, 8:30am.

Tuesday, the first of Sivan, 5779, June 4, 2019 at 8:30am, Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh. For more information email me shilohmuse@gmail.com, subject: Rosh Chodesh.

תפילת נשים בראש חודש סיון תהיה יום ג', א' בסיון, ,8:30 4-6-2019 בשילה הקדומה, תל שילה. לפרטים נוספים, shilohmuse@gmail.com subject: Rosh Chodesh.

We pray traditionally, silent prayers silently, and Hallel is sung together.

Shiloh is a holy site. It is mentioned in the Bible as the spiritual and administrative center of the Jewish People after Joshua led us into the Holy Land. There wasn't even the need for a battle to enter it, exactly like in 1967 Six Days War.

The area of Shiloh is now populated by well over a thousand Jewish families, and numbers are growing annually. Suburban, rural and agricultural communities fill the area from west of Highway 60 until just east of the Alon Road. Schools, medical clinics, shops and industries make it possible for families to live in Gush Shiloh Bloc without having to travel daily.

Most important is Shiloh Hakeduma, Ancient Shiloh, which is a recognized and popular archeological and tourist site. Visitors come from all over the world to see the latest discoveries and learn about Biblical Shiloh and the Mishkan, Tabernacle. For more information, arrange special tours, events and more contact visit@telshilo.org.il, or call 02-5789111.

Chodesh Tov! Monday Dovening at Tel Shiloh

Just a quick reminder that tomorrow, Monday the 1st of Iyyar and the 16th of April, 2018, we'll be having our traditional Women's Rosh Chodesh Prayers at Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh at 8:30am.

We sing Hallel out loud together, and the rest of the Rosh Chodesh morning prayers are done individually/silently.

While walking from the entrance of the Biblical/Ancient Shiloh archaeology site, we get to see many of the latest discoveries. Tel Shiloh is a very active and exciting archaeological site. More and more has been discovered that reaffirms and clarifies the Biblical narrative. Unlike the simplistic interpretations that Shiloh was abandoned after the death of Eli the High Priest, the latest discoveries show that Shiloh remained a very busy and important location during Biblical times and afterwards.

Rosh Chodesh is the beginning of the Jewish Month, and it is traditionally known as a Women's Holiday, which is an especially good reason to join us.

If you want you can sign up for the regular tour program at Tel Shiloh, either while already there, or write to visit@telshilo.org.il. It's open to visitors six days a week.

During Jewish Holiday times, Chanukah and the Intermediate Days (Hol Hamoed) of Succot and Passover there are special activities for all ages.

For those who understand spoken Hebrew I highly recommend Kenes Shiloh, held every summer, when there are tours and lectures throughout the day and evening highlighting the latest archaeological discoveries.

Chodesh Tov! Have a Wonderful Blessed Month of Iyyar!!

Rosh Chodesh Sivan Soon

Shiloh Hakeduma, Ancient Shiloh, the government-recognized archaeological site at Tel Shiloh, is growing in popularity. People come from all over the world and all religions, too. Every time I go there I see lots of tour buses and loads of tourists walking around and picnicking.

Yes, this is the Shiloh from the Bible. This is where the Biblical Hannah successfully prayed for a son who would lead the Jewish People from the anarchy of the Judges and anoint the first two Jewish Kings, Saul and David.

The Tel's administration has been working hard making paths, and even road access,  for those who have trouble walking. It's possible to hire multilingual guides or make do with the signs and recordings which are all over. There's also a short movie and museum. There's also a well-stocked souvenir shop with everything from pictures to puzzles, jewelry, olive oil and wine, among lots of other things. And of course there's food to buy if all the hiking has made you hungry and thirsty.

Women's Prayers at Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh

Rosh Chodesh Sivan, 5777 

Friday, May 26, 2017 

1st of Sivan, 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 סיון
בשילה הקדומה, תל שילה
יום ו' 26-5-2017

א' סיון, תשע"ז 8:30
הלל ומוסף לראש חודש
יהיה דבר תורה קצר וסיור בתל
כדאי לבוא ולהזמין חברות, משפחה ושכנות

There's plenty of room, so join us!

Please mark it in your calendar/diary/event planner so you can join us, Gd willing. If you have more questions about it, please contact me shilohmuse@gmail.com with "Rosh Chodesh" as subject. Our women's dovening isn't a version of male synagogue prayers. We sing Hallel out loud and then doven Musaf individually.

Great Succot Fun at Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh

This afternoon I walked down the hill to Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh to see this year's Succot extravaganza. Each year it's different, so even if you've gone before, you won't be bored.

But before I tell you more, I'd like to remind the women out there that Rosh Chodesh Marcheshvan is very soon. Here's the information about our Women's Rosh Prayers there:

Women's Prayers at Shiloh Hakeduma, 

Tel Shiloh 

Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan, 5777

Tuesday November 1, 2016

30th of Tishrei, 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 חשון

בשילה הקדומה, תל שילה

יום ג' 1-11-2016  ל' תשרי, תשע"ז 8:30

הלל ומוסף לראש חודש

יהיה דבר תורה קצר וסיור בתל

כדאי לבוא ולהזמין חברות, משפחה ושכנות

The first thing I noticed when I entered the area of the Shiloh Succot Festival was a beautifully decorated stage and show for kids and hundreds of children (and their parents) watching mesmerized.

There used to just be "street theater" mostly by lone actors aka "one man shows," at various locations around the Tel's various archaeological sites of interest. There still are a few of those, plus "guides" at a number of places who are supposed to engage the visitor with interesting and helpful information.

Now instead of lots of crafts, there are also games for the kids to play.

And you can also play at being an archeologist at a "dig."

You can still attend today and tomorrow. Click here for more information!

And of course there are succot to eat in and easy to find or organize Mincha minyan.

Remember that Shiloh Hakeduma is open six days a week, just not on Shabbat. Contact them at Tel Shiloh or on their facebook page.