Samaritanism

An ancient Israelite kin-faith centered on Mount Gerizim rather than Jerusalem.

c. 400 BCE → · Israel/Palestine · Abrahamic

The Samaritans hold to the Torah of Moses alone, worship one God, and revere Mount Gerizim — not Jerusalem — as the divinely chosen sanctuary, still offering the Passover sacrifice there. Sharing deep roots with Judaism yet distinct since antiquity, they are today one of the world's smallest religious communities, preserving an archaic Hebrew liturgy and priesthood.

Key figures

• Moses (the sole prophet)
• The Samaritan High Priest

Texts

• Samaritan Pentateuch

Beliefs

• One God and the Torah of Moses alone
• Mount Gerizim as the chosen holy place
• A coming restorer (the Taheb)

Rituals

• Passover sacrifice on Gerizim
• Strict Sabbath and purity
• Ancient Hebrew liturgy

Grew from

• Judaism

Connections in the atlas

• Menorah
• ? What became of the "Lost Tribes" of Israel?
• Moses
• The Dead Sea Scrolls (Great Isaiah Scroll)
• ? Did the Exodus happen?