The High Priest of the Samaritan order, Jacob Matzliach, died in Nablus today at the age of 70. He had been the spiritual ruler of the Samaritan community for the past ten years.
There are about 240 Samaritans in Palestine, 180 of whom reside in Nablus and another forty in Tel Aviv. They consider themselves the direct descendants of the tribes of Ephraim. Manasach and Levi, and as such entitled to the highest posts in the Jewish clergy.
Matzliach will be buried on Mount Gerizim which is considered by the Samaritans to be the holiest place in Palestine. The Jewish National Council telegraphed its condolences to the Samaritan community.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
