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A Mishkan abandoned Can you imagine? The Mishkan stood in for a warm welcome and a bowl
Shiloh, at the center of Israel. Hundreds of of hot soup at Micha’s house of
Elkana’s greatness can only be understood thousands of Jews lived only a short dis- idolatry. And so the elders and
against the backdrop of his generation. He tance from the very building that Moshe rabbis of the generation gave up
and Chana lived at the very end of the era and Betzalel built with their own hands on their people and came to terms
of the shoftim, when the elderly Eli served in the wilderness – and almost nobody with their lowliness. Only Elkana,
as both the high priest and the last of the went to see it! Imagine living only a few “unique in his generation,”
judges. Although the Mishkan still stood in miles from the aron haBrit, G-d’s Ark of the refused to despise his people.
Shiloh, the corrupt men who held sway Covenant, and choosing instead to enjoy a “And this man went up out of his
there – Chofni and Pinchas, the sons of Eli good meal at Micha’s “house of god!” city from year to year to worship
– abused their status and took advantage What would become of such a lowly and to sacrifice to Hashem the
of the people who came to worship and generation? L-rd of hosts in Shiloh” (Shmuel
bring sacrifices to G-d. I 1:3). Malbim writes that Elkana

As the experience of visiting the Mishkan Do not despise your people was the only man from his entire
grew increasingly unpleasant, a compet- city to go up to Shiloh. But as the
ing religious institution was established “Do not despise your mother when she midrash explains, Elkana refused
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close by. With silver from his mother, is old,” “ך ֶּ מ ִא ה ָנ ְק ָז-י ִּ כ זּוב ָּ ת-ל ַא ְו” (Mishlei to accept the status quo:
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Micha forged an idol and set up a “beit 23:22). Making a play on the word “ך ֶּ מ ִא,” “Elkana used to go up to Shiloh…
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elohim,” a “house of god” in his home, with Rabbi Zeira taught: “If your nation (ך ְת ָּ מ ֻא) His wives and sons, the members
his very own ephod, teraphim and a Levite has grown old [do not despise them, but of his household… came up with
to serve as the priest. In sharp contrast rather] stand up and support them as him. On the way he would camp
to the bad behavior of the priests in the Elkana did, for he would guide the people out in town squares… Wherever
Mishkan, Micha’s “house of god” was warm of Israel [to the Mishkan] for the pilgrimage they went, people would notice
and welcoming, offering hearty meals to festivals” (Yerushalmi Berachot 68a). them and ask, ‘Where are you
travelers. Unsurprisingly, fewer and fewer A nation “grown old” is a nation that has going?’ ‘To the house of G-d in
people went up to the Mishkan, choosing lost its way and forgotten its purpose. Shiloh,’ [Elkana would reply].
instead to worship at Micha’s house, only Elkana’s generation was spiritually tired ‘Why don’t you come with us
a few miles away (Sanhedrin 103b). and cynical, willing to trade G-d’s house and we shall go up together?’

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