An entire community of 150 Samaritans crossed the Israel-Jordan border today to celebrate Passover at Mount Gerizim in Nablus, the Biblical She chem in the eastern part of Palestine now held by Jordan. The Samaritans consider themselves the “true” Jews but are not regarded as Jews by Jewish religious authorities.
The Israeli Samaritans, who were met by Samaritans from Jordan, were headed by their high priest. They will be permitted to remain in Jordan for ten days. Their ceremony, scheduled to start shortly before midnight, is highlighted by a killing of a sacrificial lamb in literal observance of the Passover ritual.
Before the border crossing, the Israeli Samaritans managed to exchange the equivalent of five pounds sterling each to be used during their 10-day stay.
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