A Living Legacy: Who Are the Samaritans Today and What Do They Believe?
Who Are the Samaritans? The Samaritans trace their lineage back to the ancient Israelites, specifically to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. Their history diverged from mainstream Judaism after the Assyrian conquest of the northern kingdom of Israel in the 8th century BCE. While Jewish tradition often viewed them with suspicion, the Samaritans maintained their own version of the Torah and built their religious life around Mount Gerizim, which they consider the true holy site chosen by the Creator. Today, the Samaritan population numbers fewer than 1,000 individuals, making them one of the smallest and oldest ethnoreligious groups in the...