How is the concept of the Messiah in Samaritan belief?

The Samaritans are an ethnoreligious group originating from the ancient Israelites. They claim descent from the northern Israelite tribes that were not exiled during the Assyrian conquest. Samaritans have their own version of the Torah, known as the Samaritan Pentateuch, and they practice a form of worship centered around Mount Gerizim, which they consider to be the true holy site.

Modern Samaritan Communities:

Today, there are very few Samaritans left, primarily residing in Nablus (in the West Bank) and Holon (in Israel). The community has worked to preserve its traditions and religious practices over the centuries.

How is the concept of the Messiah in Samaritan belief and which passage in their Torah alludes to the arrival of their awaited Savior?

In Samaritan belief, the Messiah is a significant figure known as the "Taheb," which means "Restorer" or "Returning One." The Samaritans believe that the Taheb will be a prophet like Moses who will restore true worship and bring about an era of peace and righteousness.

Unlike Jewish messianism, which emphasizes a kingly Messiah from the line of David, the Samaritan Messiah is viewed primarily as a prophetic leader, focused on restoring the pure faith and re-establishing the sanctity of Mount Gerizim, which the Samaritans hold as the true holy mountain (rather than Jerusalem).
The Samaritan Torah (which is similar to the Jewish Torah but with some differences in emphasis and content) alludes to the coming of this awaited figure. The primary passage that Samaritans believe foretells the arrival of the Taheb is Deuteronomy 18, verse 18.

The verse reads: “I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him.”

This verse is interpreted by the Samaritans to be a prophecy about the coming of the Taheb, a prophet like Moses who will lead the people and restore proper worship of God on Mount Gerizim. It is seen as a promise of divine intervention to bring the Samaritans back to the original teachings and commandments as given to Moses.

In summary, the Messiah (Taheb) in Samaritan belief is a prophetic figure who will bring about a restoration of the true faith, and Deuteronomy 18, verse 18, is the key passage in the Samaritan Torah that alludes to his coming.

Download the PDF book: JEWS AND SAMARITANS
Download the PDF book: JEWS AND SAMARITANS

Ezra reading the law to the Jews. Ezra, 480–440 BCE, aka Ezra the Scribe and Ezra the Priest. Jewish scribe and priest.

Some Jewish scholars hold that Ezra was the prophet prophesied in Deuteronomy 18:18. What is their argument for this?

The view that Ezra was the prophet prophesied in Deuteronomy 18:18 is a minority opinion held by some Jewish scholars. Their argument is based on several factors:

1. Timing:

According to their interpretation, the prophecy in Deuteronomy 18:18 refers to a future prophet who would arise after Moses. They argue that Ezra, who lived during the Persian period after the Babylonian exile, fits this timeline as a later prophet.

2. Leadership and authority:

Ezra is known for his role in reestablishing Jewish religious practices and leading the community during the Persian period. These scholars argue that his leadership and authority resemble the characteristics of the prophet described in Deuteronomy 18:18.

3. Torah restoration:

Ezra is credited with playing a significant role in the restoration and preservation of the Torah. Some scholars suggest that this aligns with the prophecy in Deuteronomy 18:18, where the prophet is described as someone who would speak the words of God.

It is important to note that this view is not universally accepted among Jewish scholars, and there are differing interpretations and opinions regarding the identity of the prophet mentioned in Deuteronomy 18:18. The majority view, both in traditional Jewish interpretation and among biblical scholars, is that the prophecy refers to future prophets such as Joshua, Samuel, and ultimately, to the messianic figure.

Samaritan priest

What is Ezra's connection to the Samaritan community?

Ezra's connection to the Samaritan community is primarily rooted in the historical and religious context of the post-exilic period in ancient Israel. After the Babylonian exile, when the Jewish people returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple and restore their community, they encountered the Samaritans, who had settled in the region of Samaria during the exile.

The Samaritans claimed to worship the same God and followed the Torah, but they had developed their own religious practices and beliefs that differed from those of the Jews. The key points of connection and tension between Ezra and the Samaritans include:

1. Opposition to Rebuilding the Temple: When Ezra returned to Jerusalem, he faced opposition from the Samaritans, who wanted to be included in the rebuilding efforts of the Temple. Ezra and the Jewish leaders rejected their offer, which led to animosity between the two groups.

2. Religious Differences: The Samaritans had their own version of the Torah and worshiped at Mount Gerizim instead of Jerusalem. This created a significant religious divide that Ezra sought to reinforce by promoting strict adherence to the Jewish laws and practices.

3. Reform Movement: Ezra is often associated with a movement to purify the Jewish community and reinforce their identity after the exile. This included distancing themselves from the Samaritans and other groups that were perceived as having compromised the Jewish faith.

4. Historical Context: The relationship between Jews and Samaritans was complex and often contentious, and Ezra's actions and reforms contributed to the long-standing divisions between the two communities.

Overall, Ezra's connection to the Samaritan community is characterized by conflict and separation, as he worked to establish a distinct Jewish identity and religious practice in the wake of the exile.