Pool of Shiloach
Historical Background
During the reign of Chizkiyahu, the pool was directly connected with the
Gichon spring via a tunnel, thus ensuring an adequate supply of water for
Jerusalem under siege.
Only a part of the pool (called the Pool of Solomon by the historian
Josephus) can be seen today. Steps lead to the bottom, to the mouth of the
tunnel.
Today the waters of the Shiloach are used in baking of matzah shemurah.
On Rosh Hashanah the Jews of Jerusalem crowd around it to recite Tashlich.
Location
In the time of the Bet Mikdash the Pool of Shiloach was located in the
Kidron valley at the southernmost, lowest and most vulnerable part of the
City of David. It was protected by two parallel walls with a gate-tower.
