Expert: Messianic Rabbi Yochanan Levine - 12/28/2011

Question
Rabbi Levine:

(I am sorry I do not have this scripture location:) but regarding the story of Jesus speaking with the woman at the well...I notice that she said that they (Samaritans) considered their forefathers to be Jacob, and talked of them worshiping there, and that they were waiting for the Christ, etc.  Jesus responded to her that salvation comes from the Jews. Were these people part of the Isrealites and did these people accept Jesus as the Christ?
Do you know who they are today?

Anything you can explain of this would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.

Answer
Hi Lisa,

The Samaritans continue to exist today as a tiny religious group. Their religion is Samaritanism.
What happened, in a nutshell, is that the 10 Houses of Israel were "lost" according to the Bible used by Jews and Christians following the Assyrian captivity (that happened a few years before the Babylonian captivity of Daniel's day). The remaining two houses (Judah and Benjamin) survived under Nebuchadnezzar and are all that remains of the original 12 Houses. Today these two houses are known collectively as the Jews.

The Samaritans believe they survived these captivities and are the true adherents of the religion of Abraham. Jews and Christians reject this claim. Hence Samaritans worship not at Jerusalem (i.e. Zion) but at Mount Gerizim. About half of all surviving Samaritans live in Kiryat Luza on Mount Gerizim.

Rabbinic Jews like Rebbe Y'shua (Jesus) insisted on the biblical version of events, that the other houses were "lost" and "divorced" by HaShem (God) and that only Judah and Benjamin remain. Once Messiah comes (returns) he will restore all twelve houses but until then the only true Israelites are the Jews (Yehuda and Benyamin).

One good source is: <a href=http://thesamaritanupdate.com
>http://thesamaritanupdate.com</a>

If you'd like more info let me know.

Additional comment: No, they do not accept Jesus. Many view him as a lesser prophet, most have no acceptance of him. Historically they have been closer to Judaism than Islam however they are not supporters of Israel nor the Jewish people as a general statement.

They worship the One God of the Bible and consider Christian beliefs in the Trinity and deity of Jesus to be idolatry and fundamental violations of Abraham's realization.

~ Rabbi Yochanan Levine