The Relationship Between Samaritans and Jews: A Complex Historical and Religious Connection

The Holy Scripture of Samaritans is the Torah. Do Samaritans belong to the Jewish people?

The question of whether Samaritans belong to the Jewish people is not a simple one to answer, as it depends on how one defines Jewish identity. Samaritans claim to be descendants of the Israelites, the ancient people who followed the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and who received the Torah from Moses at Mount Sinai. Samaritans refer to themselves as Benai Yisrael ("Children of Israel"), which is a term used by all Jewish denominations as a name for the Jewish people as a whole. They, however, do not refer to themselves as Yehudim (literally "Judeans"), the standard Hebrew name for Jews.

Samaritans and Jews share the same sacred text, the Torah, which they believe to be the original and authentic word of God. However, Samaritans reject all other Jewish scriptures, such as the Prophets and the Writings, and they have their own version of the Torah, which differs from the Jewish one in some places. Samaritans also have a different calendar, a different system of religious laws, and a different place of worship. Samaritans believe that Mount Gerizim, not Jerusalem, is the holy mountain chosen by God, and they perform their sacrifices and festivals there.

Samaritans and Jews have a long history of conflict and hostility, dating back to the time of the Babylonian exile and the Persian restoration. Samaritans opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple by the returning Jews, and tried to sabotage their efforts². Jews considered Samaritans to be impure and heretical, and avoided any contact with them. The hatred between Jews and Samaritans was so intense that Jesus used it as an example of how to love one's enemies in the parable of the Good Samaritan ( Luke 10 verses 25 to 37 ).

Today, Samaritans and Jews have a more peaceful and respectful relationship, although they still maintain their distinct identities and beliefs. Samaritans are recognized as a separate ethnic and religious group by the Israeli government, and they have some rights and privileges as a minority. Samaritans and Jews also cooperate in some areas, such as genetic research and cultural preservation.

In conclusion, Samaritans and Jews have a common origin and a common scripture, but they have diverged in many ways over the centuries. Whether Samaritans belong to the Jewish people or not depends on one's perspective and criteria. Some might argue that Samaritans are a branch of Judaism, while others might contend that they are a separate religion. Ultimately, Samaritans and Jews are both children of Israel, and they both worship the same God.

Download the PDF book: Jews and Samaritans

Download the PDF book: Jews and Samaritans

Sacrifice and Faith: The Divergent Paths of Samaritans and Jews

What is the reason behind Samaritans' persistence in conducting ritual sacrifices, even after the loss of their temple, in contrast to Jews?

The reason behind Samaritans' persistence in conducting ritual sacrifices, even after the loss of their temple, is rooted in their belief that sacrifices are necessary for the forgiveness of sins and for maintaining a relationship with God.

They believe that Mount Gerizim in the West Bank is the true location chosen by God for worship, rather than Jerusalem where the Jewish temple was located.

This belief is based on the Samaritan Pentateuch, their version of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, which differs from the Jewish Masoretic Text. Additionally, the Samaritans view themselves as the true inheritors of the ancient Israelite religion, and see the continuation of sacrifices as a way to preserve their identity and heritage.

On the other hand, Jews believe that sacrifice is no longer necessary after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE. Instead, they focus on prayer and study as central components of their faith. The loss of their temple led Jews to adapt their religious practices and find new ways to connect with God without physical sacrifices.

Why do Jewish individuals not partake in the animal sacrifice mentioned in the Torah, whereas Samaritans do?

The biggest reason why Jewish individuals do not partake in animal sacrifices as mentioned in the Torah lies in the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in 70 AD. The temple was the center of Jewish worship and the place where they conducted animal sacrifices.

After the destruction of the temple, the Jewish community had to adapt their religious practices. The rabbis decided that prayers and good deeds could replace animal sacrifices as the means of atonement for sins.

In contrast, Samaritans, who consider only the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament) as their holy scripture, continue to practice the tradition of animal sacrifice. Samaritans did not develop the strong rabbinic tradition that Jews did, and their worship remains centered around Mount Gerizim, which they believe was the original Holy Place appointed by Yahweh.

As such, the two groups' differing histories and interpretations of religious law have resulted in different practices regarding animal sacrifices.

How is Samaritanism viewed within the context of Judaism?

Here is a summary of how Samaritanism is viewed within the context of Judaism:

Samaritanism is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion that is closely related to but distinct from Judaism. Key differences include:

- Samaritans believe Mount Gerizim, not Jerusalem, is the holiest site

- Samaritans only accept the Samaritan Pentateuch as scripture, not the rest of the Tanakh

- Samaritans claim to practice the original Israelite religion, considering Judaism to be altered

Historically, relations between Jews and Samaritans were often hostile, especially after the Hasmonean king destroyed the Samaritan temple on Mount Gerizim around 120 BCE. The Talmud generally considers Samaritans as non-Jews, except when their practices align with Rabbinic Judaism.

However, modern genetic studies suggest Samaritans share common Israelite ancestry with Jews, likely tracing back to the Assyrian conquest of the northern Kingdom of Israel. Some consider them descendants of the northern Israelite tribes.

In modern times, only around 800 Samaritans remain, mostly in Israel. Relations with Jews are now friendly - many Samaritans are Israeli citizens, serve in the IDF, and speak Hebrew. Jews tend to view Samaritans as distant cousins following a separate but related religion. Samaritans likewise see Jews as fellow Israelites while maintaining their own distinct religious identity.

So in summary, Samaritanism has a complex and evolving relationship with Judaism - the two faiths share common origins and scripture, but have major theological differences and a long history of tensions. Today, they are seen as separate but related Abrahamic religions, with Samaritans forming a small minority alongside the much larger Jewish population.