Episode Details

Shared roots, sharp divisions, and one famous mountain—the Samaritans are a people who see themselves as the true keepers of Israel's ancient traditions. In The Samaritans in 10 Minutes, we'll explore this fascinating community that split from mainstream Judaism over 2,000 years ago. Centered on Mount Gerizim instead of Jerusalem, the Samaritans follow their own version of the Torah and maintain priestly rituals that date back to biblical times. We'll look at their tense relationship with Jews in the Bible and beyond, their appearance in the New Testament's "Good Samaritan" parable, and their incredible survival into the modern era—despite dwindling to just a few hundred people today. Ten minutes, one ancient sect, and a reminder that Jewish history is full of family feuds that echo across millennia.