Who Are the Samaritans?

The video explores the history, beliefs, and current status of the Samaritan Israelites, a group with a distinct religious identity that diverges from mainstream Judaism and Christianity. It highlights their unique version of the Pentateuch, the significance of Mount Gerizim, and their historical narrative. The video also discusses the challenges faced by the modern Samaritan community, including legal and identity issues in Israel and Palestine.

What is the primary religious text accepted by the Samaritans?

• The New Testament

• The entire Hebrew Bible

• The Quran

• The Pentateuch

Which script is used in the Samaritan Pentateuch?

• Paleo Hebrew

• Aramaic

• Modern Hebrew

• Greek

What is the central place of worship for the Samaritans?

• Mount Gerizim

• Mount Sinai

• Jerusalem

• Bethlehem

What unique instruction is found in the Samaritan version of the Ten Commandments?

• To worship only on the Sabbath

• To set up stones on Mount Gerizim

• To build a temple in Jerusalem

• To follow the lunar calendar

How do the Samaritans view the historical narrative of Israel?

• As a counter-history with similar elements

• As a completely different story

• As irrelevant to their beliefs

• As identical to the Jewish narrative

What was a significant cause of tension between Jews and Samaritans in antiquity?

• The destruction of the sanctuary on Gerizim

• The rise of Christianity

• Disputes over the lunar calendar

• The translation of the Bible into Greek

What is the scholarly consensus on the origins of the Samaritans?

• They are entirely of Persian origin

• They originated in Egypt

• They are a subgroup of Israelites

• They are descendants of the Assyrians

What legal challenge did the Samaritans face in Israel in the 1980s and 1990s?

• Ban on their religious texts

• Restriction on their movement

• Prohibition of their religious practices

• Denial of citizenship under the Law of Return

How do modern Samaritans differ from Jews in their religious practices?

• They do not observe the Sabbath

• They do not observe any Jewish festivals

• They do not have synagogues

• They sacrifice animals at Passover

What recent development is occurring within the Samaritan community?

• An increase in tourism and interest from Brazil

• A move to urban centers

• A decline in population

• A shift to digital religious practices