the samaritans community in israel

Rosh-Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah actually falls on the beginning of the seventh month. That day initiates the eventful month (Rosh Hashanah, Kippur, Sukkoth, Shemini Atzeret). This is a sabbatical day by all means.

An ancient sound of the ram's horn breaks from the synagogue declaring the beginning of the seventh month. After the holiday evening prayer, Samaritan families.

On Yom Kippur women tend to join the male worshipers at the synagogue, modestly dressed with a head cover. There is no separation between men and women at the Samaritan synagogue.

Yet one major difference still exists between the Jewish and the Samaritan traditions regarding this very significant day- in Judaism, children do not fast. Children under the age of 13 (boys) and 12 (girls) are not obligated to fast on Yom Kippur. Samaritans on their part appreciate a different approach-the Torah does not distinguish between ages, including everybody in the Yom Kippur fast ("every soul"). Thus, all community members fast on Yom Kippur, including infants under the age of six months. In case an infant is still breast-feeding, he is allowed to continue suckling even on Yom Kippur.

The Samaritans are devoted believers, explaining that "thanks to the all mighty, no individuals and infants in particular in the Samaritan community have ever experienced catastrophe on the account of the fast".

Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)

"For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day he shall be cut off from among his people", god commands in the book of Leviticus 23:29. Like their Jewish siblings, Samaritans fast on Yom Kippur from evening to evening while accompanying the fast is a 25 hour prayer.

Samaritans are prohibited of course from performing any type of work on that day. No electric devices are operated, not to mention phones, television, cars, etc. It is by all means a sabbatical day.

Site News

The Samaritans-Home page