Eshtaol

Eshtaol (Hebrew אשתאול ) is a moshav in the Regional Association Mateh Yehuda in Jerusalem District.

History

The name of the moshav refers to the biblical site Eshtaol, who has been in the area. According to the Bible, Samson kept "in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol " (Judges 13,25 EU) and to have been buried near there.

The modern settlement was established in 1949 by Yemenite Jews. The moshav was to be part of a corridor of Jewish towns and villages between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The first settlers were concerned primarily with the utilization of the land and afforestation of Eshtaol Forest. They were supported by the Jewish National Fund, which built a nursery in the moshav. Later, poultry farming and agriculture became important acquisition branches.