“Stories literally came to life. To think we actually walked on the spot that Joshua spoke to the leaders of the tribes, where Hannah prayed for her son Samuel and the prophet’s selfless walk.” Irene Fernandez

Shiloh is best described in location as in the Biblical heartland. Best described by one who lives there, David Rubin, as, ‘It is a town that possesses amazing natural beauty and spiritual significance. It is the cradle of Jewish civilization and nationhood, the source of Jewish prayer and worship and the epitome of Israel’s faith.’ It is aptly referred in the Bible as “the resting” place. Accurately, as the Scriptures place it, Shiloh is located north of Bethel, on the east highway that goes up from Bethel to Shechem… (Ref: Book of Judges 21:19). I wondered how Bible hero Joshua would have addressed to the people at the time. Recently, research has established that Shiloh was located in a place that would possess extraordinary acoustical properties. This configuration of the landscape would have facilitated communication by the priests when the people came to sacrifice.

David Rubin met with the group at the gate at Tel Shiloh. For me it was a delight to meet the author of a book I had gotten to feel very personal with. The mood set into delight and the welcome air was simply unreserved. After introductions and a brief history on Shiloh, the next stop was to the school to meet the children. It was an enthusiastic 2^nd Grade, I’d say and they sang a blessing in Hebrew. Emotions moved in waves, some wiping eyes and a few moving into the children’s petting zoo and play area, just to be with them. Pictures and greetings exchanged David progressed to the site of the Ark. The walk was a long blunt climb, but every step was like prodding on history – new facts and those read about in the Bible or in History. Flashbacks of what might have been thoughts and feelings of those living here then and now meandered. My mind’s eye worked, I could see a lone man on a mountain-top blowing the Shofar, the young maidens dancing, shepherds’ herding sheep..

The audio-visual was a good introduction before setting out to begin the tour. This was followed by a stop-over at a room where the model of the Tabernacle was displayed for explanation. Stories literally came to life with David’s narration. To think we actually walked on the spot that Joshua spoke to the leaders of the tribes, where Hannah prayed for her son Samuel and the prophet’s selfless walk. We passed by the archeological exactions of the Byzantine Church and came to the High Priest Eli’s apartment.

We passed by caves (which I later learnt as I re-read God, Israel and Shiloh), are burial caves that archeologists have discovered, as well as a cave near the Tabernacle site, which most likely was the dwelling place, perhaps for the High Priests of the Tabernacle. Excavations for newer discoveries are underway.

Seeing nature in its awesome splendor, my eyes followed the winding Route 60. I turned and thought to me, “… the road probably drives into Shechem. Someday?” and continued my discovery-mission with David to where God’s presence dwelt. I heard an 82-year old lady remark, “This is once in a lifetime..” As we got closer, my heart thumped in excitement. The feeling was so perfect – tranquil with a light breeze blowing – I could even feel those private personal moments. I put all that I had read in the Bible, before coming and hearing David sharing and bringing to life – Samuel the Prophet playing around as a young boy, people living their daily lives, young beautiful maidens dancing in the vineyards as the young Benjamin watched eagerly for their perfect matches, the men carrying the Ark, building the site, etc.,

I was living amidst the Scriptures in surrounding history!

Bible history has it that it was in Shiloh that the first permanent Tabernacle was placed since the exodus from Egypt. Its presence made Shiloh the centre, to which the Children of Israel would come four times a year to worship God, during festivals. The dimensions of the tabernacle, as laid out in the Bible are justified in the rectangular space at the site.

A delicious Israeli lunch of falafel with drinks was provided to us. There was time spent in Bible-speaking fellowship with David and Nomi who Chef-ed our meal. The visit to the Souvenir store was on the way to the bus. On my way back to the bus after the visit, I was leaving back something and would I ever return? I have already made up my mind…

This was my kind of travel – to not the much publicized places, but the remote ones that were still ‘gems’.

Irene Fernandez