Selections from classical Torah sources
which express the special relationship between
the People of Israel and Eretz Yisrael

SHILOH

Site of the Mishkan-Sanctuary for 369 years (1258-889 BCE), this location was referred to in the Torah (Devarim 12:9) as "menucha" (the place of resting), a forerunner of the "nachalah" (inheritance) which would be achieved with the building of the Beit Hamikdash in Jerusalem. After 14 years of Israel's conquering the land and dividing it among the tribes, the Mishkan was transferred from Gilgal, where it had been temporarily established upon the Jewish People's entering the land.

This was a major turning point in Mishkan history, for here the boards which served as the walls of the Mishkan during the wandering in the wilderness were replaced by a stone structure covered with skins, a sort of blend between the past and the future.

The kohen gadol, Eli, was in Shiloh when the news arrived that the Philistines had defeated the Israelite army, slain his two sons and captured the Holy Ark (Shmuel I 4:12-17). His death as a result of this shock was followed by the destruction of the Shiloh Sanctuary and the transfer of the Mishkan to the city of Nov.

There is today a small Jewish settlement and a Hesder Yeshiva in the Judean site bearing the name of this historic site.