The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1905-10-14
PASSOVER AS The
LAW DECREED
Samaritans Celebrate the
Great Jewish Holiday In
Strict Accordance With
Biblical Rules. as.
WHERE THEY NOW DWELL
INTERESTING PEOPLE WHO AC-
COUNT FOR THEIR DIMINU-
TIoN BY SAYING IT FULFILLs
THE VISION OF ABRAHAM.


THE VISION OF ABRAHAM.
IN a communication to Mr.. II. r. Hill
ton, Jacob Eliahu. who heads commu-
nifty leading the simple life in Jerusa-
lem, gives an account of Passover, as cell
ebrated by the Samaritans Of to-day. It
follows
The Samaritans are the descendants
of the people who returned to repopulate
the country after the Babylonish captiv-
ity. They used to live in many of the
villages of Samaria until recently when
after greatly diminishing. the residue
gathered together in Nablous. city butt
on the site of ancient Shechem. AT pres
! ent they are a small community of about
| 170. They are very poor indeed, and re-
side in the worst quarter of the city,
where they have synagogue. There is
still the same hatred between them and
the Jews thar was evident in the time of
Christ. Their religion differs in only a
few points from that of the Jews. They
only accept IS their Bible the Pentateuch
while the Jews have the complete old
Testament and the Talmud. The Sama-
| ritan priests claim to trace their ances
| try back to Aaron. They all wear long
hair and do not intermarry with the laity.
The present high priest. or s'Kahin, has
been in office for 81 years. He was only
10 when he was ordained. Lawfully no
| one under 30 is allowed to become high
/ priest but as he was the oldest of the
high priests family he was obliged to
take it at that age.
They have in their possession three
very old manuscripts. the oldest of which
they claim to have been written by the
grandson of Aaron. Experts on the sub
| ject. however, say that it is not probable
that it dates further back than the Sec
ond century. They are very orthodox, in
many cases being more particular than
the Jews themselves. They are the only
ones who keep the Passover in strict ac-
cordance with the Mosaic law.
As we were in Nablous at the time of
the Passover. we were invited by the
KAHN to attend the sacrifice. which they
have on the top of Mt Gerizinl, the Mt.
of blessing. Ascending this mountain.
one is struck with the beautiful flowers
and high grain with which it is covered,
and which stands out in vivid contrast
to the barrenness of Mt Ebal, the Mt.
Of cursing, which is just opposite This
mountain is covered with stones, the only
plants being prickly pear bushes.
On reaching the top of the mountain.
we were conducted TO the tent Of the
KAHN As we arrived an hour too soon
| the Kahin's son took US to see the places
of interest on the mountain While we were
waiting. They believe this mountain to
be the site of Abraham's sacrifice, and
pointed out a rock as the spot The
KAHN then took us to a tent to show
us the ancient manuscript. After closing
the tent, that he might not be observed,
the valuable treasure was taken from
a cupboard. where it is kept under lock,
besides always having a guard. 1t is
kept in silver holder. which is covered
with engravings of the different things
in the tabernacle, such as the Ark, the
Golden Cand.estick, etc. On opening
this case a part of the manuscript was
4 revealed. 1t is written on parchment
and is so much wern with age that it
IS hardly distinct enough to read. They
guard it so jealously FOR fear of its
being stolen by the high priests cousin,
who is his bitter enemy, and who has
succeeded in getting it several times,
charging large sums Of money before he
would return it. TIE i'll feeling between
the KAHN and his cousin is. on account
Of dispute as TO who is to be the next
high priest. Each Of them settles this
/ question in favor of his own son.
When we had seen the manuscript it
was time for the prayers to commence,
50 we went to the place where all the
men and boys Of the community We're as
sembed. dressed in white, waiting for
the sun to set, which is. according to
the law, the time for sacrificing. The
ceremony commenced about half an hour
before sunset. They began By joining
in a very loud prayer, each one shouting
quite independent of the other with AL
his might. The KAHN then took his
stand on the fallen pillar, from the ruins
OF an ancient Herodian temple nearby.