Jewish History

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...

The Setting: A People on the Run After centuries of slavery in Egypt, the Israelites were finally free. Led by Moses, they began their journey toward the Promised Land. But freedom was not immediate safety. Pharaoh, having second thoughts about releasing his labor force, sent his army to pursue them. The Israelites found themselves trapped between the sea and the approaching Egyptian forces. Fear gripped them. It seemed like their newfound freedom would be short-lived. In this moment of crisis, Moses turned to the heavens and was instructed to raise his staff over the waters. As he did, the sea...

The Journey to Egypt: From Joseph to a New Pharaoh The roots of the Hebrew presence in Egypt begin with the story of Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. Sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph eventually rose to become a powerful figure in Egypt due to his ability to interpret dreams. His wisdom helped Egypt prepare for a devastating famine, and in gratitude, Pharaoh appointed him as a high-ranking official. When famine struck the land of Canaan, Joseph’s family traveled to Egypt seeking food. Thanks to Joseph’s position, they were welcomed and allowed to settle in the...