Israeli Women Revive Biblical Custom in Shiloh

Hundreds of Israeli women gathered at the archeological site of ancient Shiloh to participate in the annual “Dancing in the Vineyards” women’s festival.

By United with Israel Staff and TPS

The “Dancing in the Vineyards” festival is based on the Biblical tradition of Tu B’Av, which was initiated in the Binyamin region, on the outskirts of Shiloh.

Israeli woman and visitors to the Holy Land arrived in the modern-day Jewish community of Shiloh last week to participate in the ancient Tu B’Av ritual, which dates back to the time of the Holy Temple in Israel over 2,000 years ago.

According to the Mishna, Tu B’Av was celebrated as a joyous festival that marked the start of the grape harvest, with Yom Kippur marking its end.

During Biblical times on Tu B’Av, which is called the “Holiday of Love” in modern Israel, unmarried women of Jerusalem dressed in flowing white dresses and danced in the vineyards.

The current “Dancing in the Vineyards” festival presents a modern twist on traditional Tu B’Av celebrations by offering workshops on dance and other outlets for women to express their creativity.

In a previous year, Avital Horesh, who served as artistic director of Shiloh’s Tu B’Av festivities for women, told Arutz Sheva, “The festival program is rich and varied . . . [with] workshops [that] offer a variety of styles . . . hip hop, African dance and more. After the workshops the women enjoy dance performances and a musical performance” from Israeli singers.

Horesh added, “The festival connects the ends of the population and is designed for all women, both religious and non-religious. The festival is meant for everyone.”

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