Tag Archives: Palestinians

Things You Didn’t Know About Samaritans

In this week’s parasha, Ki Tavo, we read how God commanded that when the Israelites cross into the Holy Land, they should first make a stop upon two special mountains: Mount Gerizim and Mount Eval (Deuteronomy 27:12-13). The Tribes of Israel should split between the two mountains; six of them would set up on Mount Gerizim and six on Mount Eval. Then, a series of blessings would be proclaimed from atop Mount Gerizim, and a series of curses from atop Mount Eval. The people would answer “amen!” to signify their agreement. This would serve as one final reminder of their covenant with God before they settle down in their apportioned lands and get on with their new lives.

Har Gerizim in 1912

Today, that mountain of blessing, Mount Gerizim, is still venerated by the world’s last community of Samaritans, numbering less than 1000 people. About half of them live in the Israeli city of Holon, and the other half live around Mount Gerizim itself, in the village of Kiryat Luza, once part of the Biblical site of Shechem and currently the Palestinian town of Nablus (an Arabic corruption of the Roman title Neapolis). For the Samaritans, Mount Gerizim is the holiest place on Earth. They believe this is supposed to be the true location of the Holy Temple. They believe this is where Abraham bound Isaac during the Akedah. They believe this is the mountain upon which the Mishkan first rested, and where sacrifices to Hashem were originally brought. In other words, Gerizim is the Samaritan “Jerusalem”. Who, exactly, are the Samaritans? Continue reading →

Bees vs. Hornets: On Settlers in Judea and Samaria

This week’s parasha, Ekev, begins with God’s promise to Israel that if we serve Him diligently, He will bless us with abundance and strength. He will allow us to conquer and settle the Holy Land, despite the numerous nations that oppose us. The Torah says that we will inevitably think to ourselves: “These nations are more numerous than I; how will I be able to drive them out?” But Hashem assures us:

You shall not fear them. You shall surely remember what the Lord, your God, did to Pharaoh and to all of Egypt. The great trials that your eyes saw, the signs, the wonders, the mighty hand, and the outstretched arm with which the Lord, your God, brought you out. So will the Lord, Your God, do to all the peoples you fear. And also the tzira’ah, the Lord, your God, will incite against them, until the survivors and those who hide from you perish.

You shall not be terrified of them, for the Lord, your God, Who is in your midst, is a great and awesome God. And the Lord, your God, will drive out those nations from before you, little by little. You will not be able to destroy them quickly, lest the beasts of the field outnumber you. But the Lord, your God, will deliver them to you, and He will confound them with great confusion, until they are destroyed. (Deuteronomy 7:18-23)

There is no reason to fear the numerous multitudes of enemies. Yes, they dwell in the land, but “little by little” God will drive them out. He will confound them and they will destroy each other. This passage is of tremendous significance to keep in mind as we continue to see the intense drama in the State of Israel unfold before our eyes. Continue reading →

Judaism vs. Islam

Why did Islam emerge in 7th-century Arabia and what role did Jews play in its early history? How does Judaism view Islam today? And what are the similarities and differences between the two religions? Find out in this class where we also explore the Jewish wives and advisors of Muhammad, if a Jew is allowed to pray in a mosque, and an incredible prophecy about the role of Ishmael at the End of Days.

For the class on ‘Judaism vs. Christianity’, please see here.

Understanding the Arab-Israeli Conflict in 5 Easy Points (also includes a video about the true location of Al-Aqsa).

On the Arab-Jewish kings Abu Kariba and Dhu Nawas.

On Rayhana and Safiyya, the Jewish wives of Muhammad.

Please see also ‘How the Torah Alluded to Christianity and Islam’ in Garments of Light, Volume Two, which also has an in-depth exploration of the proper pronunciations of the Hebrew alphabet.

Regarding black and blue colours in ancient texts, see here.

For the paper on ‘Muhammad, the Jews, and the Composition of the Qur’an: Sacred History and Counter-History’ see here.