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Source:
Earthly Footsteps of the Man of Galilee,
p. 132 |
Nablous
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But the chief interest of Nāblus is centred in a little group of irregularly
built houses, clustered closely together in the south-west quarter, the most
crowded part of the city. Here we find the last remnant of the once powerful
Samaritan community. In 1874 they numbered one hundred and thirty-five
individuals, of whom twenty-eight were married couples, ten were widows advanced
in years, forty-nine were unmarried men and young boys, and twenty were young
girls, many of whom were already promised in marriage. Since this date the
numbers have decreased. Several marriages have, however, taken place. (Source:
Picturesque Palestine, vol. 2, p. 13.) |
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Samaritan Ceremony |
Source:
American Colony:
Traditional Life and Customs |
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The Torah (Pentateuch) is the only portion
of the Bible which the Samaritans hold sacred.
It is their sole guide and rule of life. Their
version differs in many points from the Hebrew
version. The other historic portions of the
Hebrew Scriptures they regard as spurious, and
especially resent the account given therein of
their origin. They describe themselves as
"Children of Israel," but trace their origin
chiefly to the two sons of Joseph. They date
their separation from the Jews from the time
of Eli the priest, whom they regard as a
usurper, he not having been of the priestly
family of Eleazar, but a descendant of Thamar,
Aaron's fourth son. According to the Samaritan
Chronicle their high priests were true
descendants of the sacredly appointed branch
of the family until A.D. 1624, when the last
male representative of the line died. Then, as
it is recorded, "the consecration of Levites
commenced;" sacrifices ceased to be offered
up, and the ministrations were limited to such
services as may legally be performed by them.
(Source:
Picturesque Palestine, vol. 2, p.
16.) |
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Source:
Picturesque Palestine, vol. 2,
p. 13 |
Ancient Copy of the
Samaritan Pentateuch |
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Within the veil [of the Samaritan synagogue]
are preserved with jealous care, among other
literary treasures, three very ancient copies
of the Samaritan Pentateuch, one of which is
said to have been written by Abishua, the
great-grandson of Aaron. This celebrated Roll
of the Law, which is probably of the third
century of our era, is preserved in a
cylindrical silver-gilt case, opening as a
triptych does on two sets of hinges . . . .The
roll itself is composed of prepared goat-skins
twenty-five inches high and about fifteen feet
wide; they are neatly joined together, but in
many places have been torn and rather clumsily
repaired with parchment of various qualities.
. . . A crimson satin cover, on which
Samaritan inscriptions are embroidered in gold
thread, envelopes the treasure. (Source:
Picturesque Palestine, vol. 2, p. 16.) |
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A Woman of Samaria |
Source:
Earthly Footsteps of the Man of Galilee,
p. 164 |
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As our artist was taking pictures in
Shechem a woman and a little boy appeared upon
the scene, and showed much anxiety to know
exactly what we were about. We were standing
upon the hill overlooking Shechem, with the
slopes of Gerizim rising to the east. The
artist, having taken a picture of the city,
quietly turned his camera upon the tripod, and
took a photograph of this woman before she
knew what he was doing. We concluded that it
was a member of the sect of the Samaritans
from the fact that she had no veil over her
face. (Source:
Earthly Footsteps of the Man of Galilee, p. 164.) |
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See
Good Samaritan,
Samaritan
Passover,
Woman at the Well,
Arabs,
Bedouin,
Muslim Religious Practices,
or
Jews |
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