Jameel posts the news that Elazar Ben Tzadka, the Samaritan kohen gadol, has died at age 83. According to his brother (?) Benyamim Tsedaka (whom I would guess is the most well-known Samaritan in the world) his successor will be Aharon ben Av-Chisda.
No, Jameel said that Benny is his brother, and considering that he knows him, I would guess he's correct. The only reason for my question mark is because Jameel didn't give "Benny"'s last name, but I am reasonably sure he meant him. I also assume that "ben Tzadka" is the source of Benny's surname, only Jameel wrote it according to Samaritan Hebrew pronunciation.
Are we talking about Benny? Benyamim ben Ratson ben Benyamim ben Shalach Sadaqa HaTzafri, of Holon? Making him a physical brother of Elazar ben Tsedaka ben Yitzhaq Cohen of Nablus?
Benyamim b. Ratson [1944-] - He has studied at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He worked for 25 years for the Jewish Agency [till Oct. 1994]. He married Miriam Davidovici from Romania and has 4 children. He founded in 1969 the Samaritan bi-weekly A.B. – The Samaritan News which contains material in four languages. The first issue was only of 2 pages, but nowadays the issues run to 50 pages and even more. This paper has opened a venue of literary expression to many Samaritans, who otherwise would not have published anything. Mainly it serves to keep the flame of Samaritan nationhood burning, to educate the younger generation to pride on their ancient traditions, but also to serve as mirror of its current development. It is an indispensable source of information for the use of scholars and acquaints the members of the community with some of the worldwide developments of Samaritan research. Benyamim is active in Samaritan public affairs, travels much and has founded a center for Samaritan studies in his home: "A.B. - Institute of Samaritan Studies"
I didn't realize he was that young; I thought he might be about ten years older than that, which of course made it even more likely that Jameel's "Benny" was the man we're talking about.
I'll update the post according to whatever reliable info I can get.
1. Since ancient times the Samaritans claimed descent from the 10 northern tribes, mainly Ephraim and Menashe
2. Since ancient times they lived in the territories of the 10 tribes.
3. The Y-DNA tests of most non-kohanic Samaritans corresponds with what became known as CMH ("the Kohen gene", considered by many as the DNA marker of ancient israelites).
My his soul Rest In peace
ReplyDeleteYou mean a spiritual brother, right?
ReplyDeleteNo, Jameel said that Benny is his brother, and considering that he knows him, I would guess he's correct. The only reason for my question mark is because Jameel didn't give "Benny"'s last name, but I am reasonably sure he meant him. I also assume that "ben Tzadka" is the source of Benny's surname, only Jameel wrote it according to Samaritan Hebrew pronunciation.
ReplyDeleteAre we talking about Benny? Benyamim ben Ratson ben Benyamim ben Shalach Sadaqa HaTzafri, of Holon? Making him a physical brother of Elazar ben Tsedaka ben Yitzhaq Cohen of Nablus?
ReplyDeleteYes,I think/ thought so. I guess Jameel can enlighten me.
ReplyDeleteBenyamim b. Ratson [1944-] - He has studied at the Hebrew University of
ReplyDeleteJerusalem. He worked for 25 years for the Jewish Agency [till Oct. 1994]. He married
Miriam Davidovici from Romania and has 4 children. He founded in 1969 the Samaritan
bi-weekly A.B. – The Samaritan News which contains material in four languages. The
first issue was only of 2 pages, but nowadays the issues run to 50 pages and even more.
This paper has opened a venue of literary expression to many Samaritans, who otherwise
would not have published anything. Mainly it serves to keep the flame of Samaritan
nationhood burning, to educate the younger generation to pride on their ancient traditions,
but also to serve as mirror of its current development. It is an indispensable source of
information for the use of scholars and acquaints the members of the community with
some of the worldwide developments of Samaritan research. Benyamim is active in
Samaritan public affairs, travels much and has founded a center for Samaritan studies in
his home: "A.B. - Institute of Samaritan Studies"
http://shomron0.tripod.com/articles/tsedakafamily.pdf
BTW Benny is one of the friendliest people I know. If you didn't contact him yet, just try.
I didn't realize he was that young; I thought he might be about ten years older than that, which of course made it even more likely that Jameel's "Benny" was the man we're talking about.
ReplyDeleteI'll update the post according to whatever reliable info I can get.
Is "Benny's" wife Samaritan originally or Jewish? (They do make that distinction, don't they)
ReplyDeleteIIRC, Bennys wife and mother are Jewish.
ReplyDeleteJust some interesting notes:
ReplyDelete1. Since ancient times the Samaritans claimed descent from the 10 northern tribes, mainly Ephraim and Menashe
2. Since ancient times they lived in the territories of the 10 tribes.
3. The Y-DNA tests of most non-kohanic Samaritans corresponds with what became known as CMH ("the Kohen gene", considered by many as the DNA marker of ancient israelites).
http://evolutsioon.ut.ee/publications/Shen2004.pdf
i met benny once in the jts library
ReplyDeleteShalom,
ReplyDeleteWill the Jews rebuild the Samaritan Temple THEY destroyed and pay whatever monies, with interest that is due on what was stolen?
Ask Abe Foxman is he interested in fighting their cause.