Comments about ‘European women marry, give hope to Samaritans’

The Samaritan tradition that they are a remnant of the northern tribes adds a dimension to the saga of the so-called “ten lost tribes” of Israel. For nearly three millenia, they’ve survived invasions by armies and resisted total cultural assimilation. It will be somewhat sad if the modern world proves to be the one test that finally blots out their identity altogether. I wouldn't bet against them.

The Samaritans as described in the Bible were a people that resulted from the mingling of Hebrews with Gentiles. They were despised by the Jews, in part, because they had intermarried with Gentiles (as well as mixing religions with them). That's why I find it fascinating that their own refusal to mingle with other peoples is now threatening their extinction.

Sometime after the Babylonian captivity of the Jews, both groups wrote their versions of the Torah which is the whole of Samaritan scripture. Both claimed to be the true defenders of the Law of Moses so the antagonism ran both ways. Even today, the Samaritans continue the ancient Passover practice of marking their doors with lambs blood.