Differences Between Israelite Samaritans and Jews (from a Samaritan Perspective)

The Israelite Samaritans are the descendants of the Israelites of the northern kingdom of Israel and are not Jewish. The Jews are the descendants of the Israelites of the southern kingdom of Judea. Both religions are Abrahamic and have a common Israelite ancestry.

The Israelite Samaritans have much in common with the Jews, yet there are a number of fundamental differences. For example, an Israelite Samaritan must follow the Torah or be expelled from the community while the Jews have different streams with their own distinctive beliefs and practices.

Israelite Samaritans

1. Israelites of the northern kingdom of Israel

2. Small in number (approximately 800)

3. One level of religious belief

4. Only live in the land of Israel

5. Patrilineal descent 

6. Mount Gerizim is the center of worship

7. Prayers made facing Mount Gerizim

8. The Samaritans have their own Torah

9. The Samaritan Torah is the only Holy Scripture

10. Torah is written mostly in an Ancient Hebrew script

11. Authority of Torah is in the High Priest

12. Complete list of High Priests from Pinhas

13. Torah not supplemented

14. Ten Commandments

15. Scripture has altar built on Mount Gerizim

16. Scripture has, ‘mount I have chosen’

17. The Messiah, called Taheb, will come from the tribe of Joseph or Levi

18. Calendar reckoning uses the lunar and solar calendars

19. Make and bake matzah (unleavened bread)

20. Have an actual Passover sacrifice

21. Do not celebrate Purim or Chanukah (post Torah festivals)

22. Do not light candles on the Sabbath

23. Do not have sex on the Sabbath

24. Do not wear head covers all the time

25. Do not wear Tefillin as the Jews interpret it 

Jews

1. Israelites of the southern kingdom of Judah

2. Approximately 13 million Jews worldwide

3. Many levels of religious beliefs

4. Live around the world

5. Matrilineal descent

6. Jerusalem is the center of worship

7. Prayers made facing Jerusalem

8. The Jewish people have their own Torah

9. The Hebrew Bible (Torah, Prophets and Writings) comprises the Holy Scripture. 

10. Torah is written in Babylonian square Hebrew script

11. Authority of Torah is the Rabbis

12. Incomplete list of High Priests from Pinhas

13. Torah is supplemented

14. Nine Commandments

15. Scripture has altar built on Mount Ebal

16. Scripture has, ‘mount I will choose’

17. The Messiah, will come from the tribe of Judah

18. Calendar reckoning uses the  lunar calendar only

19. Buy factory matzos (unleavened Bread)

20. Do not have a Passover Sacrifice

21. Celebrate Purim and Hanukkah (post Torah festivals)

22. Liight candles on the Sabbath

23. May have sex on the Sabbath

24. Wear head covers most of the time (orthodox)

25. Wear Tefillin (Orthodox) 

* Thanks to Larry Rynearson ("Shomron") for providing the basis for the above differentiation between Israelite Samaritans and Jews. For a wealth of information on the Israelite Samaritans, go to Larry’s website at http://www.thesamaritanupdate.com/