Love of the Land: A Milestone in Jewish Life

A Milestone in Jewish Life

Batya Medad
Shilo Musings
06 May '10

In Jewish life, prayer is daily, actually thrice daily. For those who follow Torah Law prayer isn't just when visiting a synagogue, following the instructions of the rabbi, listening and sometimes singing along with the cantor. Prayer isn't a performance to be observed. It's participatory. The traditional text is set, written in a Siddur, prayerbook.

Like the Jewish Calender which combines, synthesizes the lunar and solar calendars, our prayer is preferably said with the community, but simultaneously individually. To create a loyalty and familiarity with the prayers, it's best to have one's own siddur.

The custom in Israel, at least in the religious schools is to have a large moving ceremony to celebrate receiving a Siddur at the end of the First Grade.

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Love of the Land: A Milestone in Jewish Life

Love of the Land: Miraculously Beautiful, Tel Shiloh in the Jewish Month of Nissan

Miraculously Beautiful, Tel Shiloh in the Jewish Month of Nissan

Batya Medad
Shilo Musings
21 March '10

Yes, it looks like a miniature lake. But there's neither a lake nor a pond at Tel Shiloh. This is no more than a giant puddle. Unless G-d blesses us with more rain, it will soon dry out.



I've been making a point of going to Tel Shiloh for Rosh Chodesh Prayers for over two years already, and month after month I'm WOWed by the beauty. Rosh Chodesh Nissan was stupendous, rich green leaves covering the earth and branches, wild wheat blowing in the wind like the most luxurious velvet, juicy almonds waiting to be picked and eaten and the colorful wildflowers sparkling like precious stones.



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Love of the Land: Miraculously Beautiful, Tel Shiloh in the Jewish Month of Nissan