The Samaritan religion closely resembles Judaism, but with several marked differences, including its own Torah written in their own ancient Hebrew, and Mount Gerizim being their holiest place.
By JERUSALEM POST STAFFMembers of the Samaritan sect take part in a traditional pilgrimage marking the holiday of Shavuot, atop Mount Gerizim(photo credit: MOHAMAD TOROKMAN/REUTERS)
Members of the Samaritan sect gathered atop Mount Gerizim to watch the sun rise early Sunday morning as part of the traditional pilgrimage marking their version of the holiday of Shavuot.The Samaritan denomination closely resembles Judaism, though it has several marked differences, including its own Samaritan Torah, written in the ancient Hebrew that is their language of liturgy.Members of the Samaritan sect take part in a traditional pilgrimage marking the holiday of Shavuot, atop Mount Gerizim, near Nablus in the West Bank June 20, 2021. (REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman)In addition, they believe that Mount Gerizim, not Jerusalem, is the holiest place on earth and the site of the Second Temple, as well as where Abraham offered his son Isaac as a sacrifice to God.Samaritans believe that their religion is closer than Judaism to that of the original Israelites from before the Babylonian Exile. Their religion is free of the rabbinical interpretations and commentary, such as the Talmud, which became essential to Judaism in the Diaspora.Members of the Samaritan sect take part in a traditional pilgrimage marking the holiday of Shavuot, atop Mount Gerizim, near Nablus in the West Bank June 20, 2021. (REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman)Until the year 1624, there existed a chain of Samaritan High Priests descended from Eleazar, the son of Aaron, and the nephew of Moses.The Ten Commandments, as they are known to Jews and Christians alike, have been compressed into nine in the Samaritan version. A 10th commandment drawn up from passages in Deuteronomy 11 and 27 proclaims the sanctity of Mount Gerizim, the Mount of Blessing. The Samaritans observe only the biblical Holy Days – the New Year, Day of Atonement, Sukkot, Shavuot and Passover, the latter being their most important festival.Members of the Samaritan sect take part in a traditional pilgrimage marking the holiday of Shavuot, atop Mount Gerizim, near Nablus in the West Bank June 20, 2021. (REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman)
Samaritans believe that they are descendants of the original Israelites who never left during the Babylonian Exile. Though they trace their lineage to Samaria, their name comes from the Hebrew term shomrim, to designate them as “keepers of the law.”Ben Hartman and Gil Zohar contributed to this report.
