WATCH: Stunning Photos of Ancient Samaritan Passover Ceremony
Samaritans walk up Mount Gerizim, near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, for a Passover ceremony early on April 27, 2016. Image by Getty Images
By Josefin Dolsten April 27, 2016
On Wednesday morning, members of the Samaritans sect gathered near the West Bank city of Nablus for a ceremony marking the end of their Passover celebrations.
A week prior, the community, which sees itself as the true transmitters of ancient Israelite religion, sacrificed lambs on top of Mount Gerizim, which they consider holy. The Samaritans are the only group that follows this practice today, after Jews abandoned it following the destruction of the Second Temple.
Samaritan practices and beliefs contain many similarities to Judaism, which they see as having been corrupted during the Babylonian exile in the 6th century BCE. Their version of the Torah is written in the Samaritan alphabet, which differs from the Hebrew alphabet.
Members of the small community of about 750 are Israeli citizens, speak Hebrew and Arabic, and serve in Israel’s army.
Samaritan worshipers raise the Torah scrolls during a Passover ceremony at Mount Gerizim, near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, early on April 27, 2016. Image by Getty Images
Samaritan worshippers raise the Torah scrolls during a Passover ceremony at Mount Gerizim, near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, early on April 27, 2016. Image by Getty Images
Samaritans pray during a Passover ceremony at Mount Gerizim, near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, early on April 27, 2016. Image by Getty Images
A young Samaritan worshipper attends a Passover ceremony at Mount Gerizim, near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, early on April 27, 2016. Image by Getty Images
Samaritans take part in the traditional Passover sacrifice ceremony, where sheep and goats are slaughtered, at Mount Gerizim near the northern West Bank city of Nablus on April 20, 2016. Image by Getty Images
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
