The Samaritan community, who trace their roots back in the Middle East about 2,700 years, are known for clinging to strict biblical traditions. Samaritans believe that their worship, which is based on the Samaritan Pentateuch is the true religion of the ancient Israelites; as opposed to Judaism, which they see as a related but altered religion. Annually the Samaritans, like the Jews, celebrate the holiday of Sukkot, however Samaritan observance differs in symbolism and construction from the Jewish observance
The Samaritan community is small. As of January 1, 2017, there were 796 Samaritans, half of whom reside in their modern homes at Kiryat Luza on Mount Gerizim, which is sacred to them, and the rest in the city of Holon.
This half-day tour explore the Samaritan way of life, its faith, traditions and their relations with both Israelis and Palestinians.
- Visiting a Samaritan family and their traditional Sukkah
- Meeting a Samaritan priest in his Sukkah
- Visiting the Samaritan’s Cultural Center
- Briefing with Ishak Radwan, Samaritans’s spokesman
Monday October 9 at 9:30am
Photo by Flash90.