The Tabernacle in Shiloh (Mishkan Shiloh) was the main spiritual center for the Jews living in Israel before the Temple was built in Jerusalem. The Tabernacle was established in Shiloh after the conquest of Canaan and remained there until Shiloh was destroyed by the Philistines.
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The Forsaken TabernacleTANAKH
The Forsaken Tabernacle
TANAKH
The divine decision to forsake the Tabernacle in Shiloh signifies a pivotal change in the relationship between God and the people of Israel. The Book of Psalms captures this moment, expressing lament and reflection on the abandonment of the Tabernacle in Shiloh.
God Among the PeopleCOMMENTARY
God Among the People
COMMENTARY
After the destruction of Shiloh, God's presence was no longer confined to a specific location but dwelled among the people. Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz's modern translation and commentary on the Hebrew Bible offers a clear and engaging exploration of this significant shift.
The Decline of the SanctuaryCOMMENTARY
The Decline of the Sanctuary
COMMENTARY
The moral and ethical decline within the sanctuary, especially due to the misconduct of Eli's sons, significantly affected its sanctity. Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz’s modern translation and commentary on the Hebrew Bible offers an engaging exploration of this narrative, highlighting the implications of Eli's lack of awareness regarding his sons' actions in the Tabernacle at Shiloh.
The Enduring Sanctity of ShilohCOMMENTARY
The Enduring Sanctity of Shiloh
COMMENTARY
The lingering spiritual presence of Shiloh is evidenced by the fragrance of the incense that could still be smelled between its walls long after its destruction. The Talmud in Yoma 39b discusses the enduring sanctity of Shiloh, highlighting the spiritual significance of the incense used in its sacred rituals.
The Prayer that Changed a NationHALAKHAH
The Prayer that Changed a Nation
HALAKHAH
Chanah's prayer at the Tabernacle in Shiloh led to the birth of Shmuel the Prophet, a pivotal figure in Jewish history. Rabbi Eliezer Melamed’s contemporary work explores the profound spiritual significance of Chanah's unique invocation of Hashem as "Tzevakot" and its lasting impact on the nation of Israel.
The Divine Calling of SamuelCOMMENTARY
The Divine Calling of Samuel
COMMENTARY
Samuel's divine calling as a child in the sanctuary at Shiloh marks a pivotal moment in Jewish prophetic history. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, in his insightful essays, explores the early prophetic mission of Samuel and its significance.
The Fall of ShilohJEWISH THOUGHT
The Fall of Shiloh
JEWISH THOUGHT
The divine judgment and punishment that befell Shiloh serve as a stark warning about the consequences of wickedness. The prophet Jeremiah warns the people of Judah about their misplaced trust in the Temple, drawing a parallel to the fate of Shiloh.
A Divine Warning from ShilohCOMMENTARY
A Divine Warning from Shiloh
COMMENTARY
The destruction of the Tabernacle in Shiloh serves as a divine warning for Jerusalem, emphasizing the severe consequences of disobedience. Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz's modern translation and commentary on the Hebrew Bible provides a clear and engaging exploration of this prophetic warning.
Elkanah's PilgrimagesMIDRASH
Elkanah's Pilgrimages
MIDRASH
Elkanah's extraordinary virtue and piety were instrumental in promoting pilgrimages to the Mishkan in Shiloh, thereby strengthening the spiritual center of the nation. Louis Ginzberg's early 20th-century work, Legends of the Jews, intricately weaves together Jewish folklore and biblical narratives, focusing on the period of the Judges and the transition to the Kingdom of Israel.
Hannah's DevotionLITURGY
Hannah's Devotion
LITURGY
Hannah's story exemplifies profound personal and familial devotion to God, culminating in her dedication of her son Samuel to lifelong service at the Mishkan in Shiloh. This Haftarah reading for the first day of Rosh Hashanah emphasizes themes of prayer, faith, and divine remembrance.
From Sanctuary to TempleMISHNAH
From Sanctuary to Temple
MISHNAH
The transition from a mobile sanctuary to a permanent Temple marked significant changes in sacrificial practices and religious centralization. The Mishnah, an early third-century codification of Jewish law, details the differences in sanctity and regulations between these two sacred sites.
The Prohibition of Improvised AltarsCOMMENTARY
The Prohibition of Improvised Altars
COMMENTARY
Once the Israelites established a central place of worship in Shiloh, they were prohibited from using improvised altars, marking a significant shift in their worship practices. Rabbi Ovadiah of Bartenura’s 15th-century commentary on the Mishnah explains the significance of Shiloh as a permanent religious center for the Israelites.
A Strategic and Beautiful ChoiceSECOND TEMPLE
A Strategic and Beautiful Choice
SECOND TEMPLE
The strategic and aesthetic choice of Shiloh for the Tabernacle highlights its beauty and suitability, as well as the detailed actions taken by Joshua and the Israelites. Josephus, in his first-century historical work, provides a detailed account of the events during Joshua's leadership after the Israelites entered Canaan.
The Roofless SanctuaryCOMMENTARY
The Roofless Sanctuary
COMMENTARY
The Mishkan in Shiloh had a unique architectural design with no roof, featuring stone walls and curtains as its covering. Rashi, the renowned medieval French rabbi, provides historical context and detailed commentary on this unique feature of the Mishkan in Shiloh.
From Sinai to ShilohCOMMENTARY
From Sinai to Shiloh
COMMENTARY
The continuity of the Divine Presence from Mount Sinai to Shiloh underscores the significance of Shiloh as the initial manifestation of God's presence in the Holy Land. Rabbeinu Bachya, a 13th-century Spanish commentator, explains how Moses envisioned Shiloh as a precursor to the Temple in Jerusalem.
Surveying the Promised LandTANAKH
Surveying the Promised Land
TANAKH
Joshua's directive to survey and document the land, followed by casting lots at Shiloh, was a pivotal moment in the allocation of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel. The Book of Joshua details the Israelites' journey into the Promised Land, including the establishment of the Tabernacle in Shiloh as the central spiritual hub before the Temple in Jerusalem.