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Modern Samaritans
Today a few Samaritans survive, not having lost their identity through
intermarriage. There are about 550-600 active practitioners of the Samaritan religion
with some admixture of Islam, most of whom live in the city of Nablus, in the
area now known as the West Bank. Although their temple is long since destroyed,
they still celebrate Passover every year around their ancient temple site of
sacrifice, Mount Gerazim, their holy mountain. The Day of Atonement is the
holiest day of their year and the Sabbath is most rigidly observed. They are a
distinctly religious community and their high priest acts as their political official
and representative.
(also see Map of Modern Samaria)
About half of the Samaritans live in Kiryat Luza, close to the mountain of
Gerizim, just south of Nablus in Palestine, which is their religious center. The
rest live in Holon district right outside Tel Aviv in Israel.
The Samaritans of Palestine participate in the life of Palestine, while the
Samaritans of Israel participate in the Israeli society. In spite of the
continuing conflict in the area, the group has managed to keep privileged relationships
with both the Israelis and the Palestinians
"Religious group, representing their own religion. The number of adherents are
now between 550 and 600 individuals. About half of the Samaritans live in
Kiryat Luza, close to the mountain of Gerazim, just south of Nablus in Palestine,
which is their religious centre. The rest live in Holon district right outside
Tel Aviv in Israel. This group has many traditions in common with the Jews, due
to common roots. The Samaritans of Palestine participate in the life of
Palestine, while the Samaritans of Israel participate in the Israeli society. The
Samaritans broke with the Jewish majority in 6th century BCE, and constructed a
temple on the mountain Gerazim. The Samaritans have been the object of much hate
from the Jewish community, something which can be seen in Gospels, where Jesus
uses the Samaritans as a metaphor of despised, yet helping people, i.e. the good
Christian."
-Article in the Encyclopaedia of the Orient
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