VISITING SHILOH AND PSAGOT: A TOAST TO HISTORY

For me, talking about Shiloh and Psagot is very different than talking about any other place in the world. Yes, I’ll help you plan an adventure to just about anywhere and I’ll love doing it. But, if you want to see a part of the world you may not have thought was possible and if you are looking for an unforgettable adventure, then ask me about Shiloh and Psagot. You will discover how the past meets present, taste delicious wine, all while surrounded by beautiful views that tell the tales of some of the most famous ancient battles. These two places are where Israel’s history, religion and land are seamlessly woven together.

Just forty minutes north of Jerusalem, in the midst of the Judean Hills, is the city of Shiloh. Shiloh is historically the first official capital of the Jewish people, which stood for 369 years. The first time my father brought me, I was a curious twelve year old. All I could see ahead of me were fields. As I was told what had happened on the land I was standing on, I couldn’t help but wonder what lay beneath that earth. Fast forward twenty years and we are fortunate to see history come to life as a result of remarkable archeological digs. Thankfully, many people share the same curiosity I did and we no longer need to stare into fields wondering what stories lie beneath us.

It is an unexplainable and overwhelming feeling to visit Shiloh and Psagot and walk the same land as some of our most poignant ancestors including Chana, King Saul and King David. They are ​pillars of our faith and epitomize intelligence, bravery and courage. When you stand where the Mishkan once stood, when you witness the sunset in the same place Yehoshua bin Nun did after 40 years of wandering the desert to finally settle the land, your soul connects to something deep and real.

Shiloh now has a modern 360 degree theater in the visitor center, which had its official opening five years ago. This theater overlooks the ruins, and makes the story of Shiloh come to life in front of your eyes.

After soaking in everything that is being uncovered in this holy site, get ready to sip some delicious wine and continue on your journey through history in Psagot.
Psagot is best known for its winery, but it’s much more than just that. It has its own special story as well. Home to some of the oldest archeological excavations situated right next to the vineyards, the cave that was uncovered in Psagot is thought to be one of the oldest “wine cellars" ever discovered. Archaeologists also found a coin, intact, from the second year of the great revolt of the Jews against the Romans (73-66 BC),

during the Hasmonean Dynasty. The image of that coin—which reads in Ancient Hebrew “For freedom of Zion”—is imprinted on every Psagot wine bottle as an homage to its history and the land. Psagot wines such as Peak, Edom, Viognier, and several Cabernet varieties, have been awarded many medals internationally.

The winery is also home to a beautiful visitor’s center belonging to the Nachalat Binyamin regional council. The visitor center teaches the story of the Bible, the wine, and the history of the place. If you open up the book of Shmuel Aleph chapters 13 and 14, you read about the exact cliffs the visitor center overlooks; they are called Seneh and Bozez. This is where the story of Jonathan and King Saul winning the battle against the Philistines took place. This is also where, centuries later, the battle of Michmash--between the British and the Turks-- was fought and won using the same tactics described in the Bible, showing us how history repeats itself. This historically significant location can also be a place to celebrate the present: It can serve as a venue for events such as weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, and birthdays.

Visiting the hills of Judea is an encounter not only with beautiful vistas and refreshing wines, but also a close and emotional experience with history. A visit to Psagot and Shiloh planned by Camp Lisa, accompanied by the best guide, will be the easiest, most unforgettable day trip for the entire family to enjoy right outside of Jerusalem!

Cities In israel

SHILOH & PSAGOT