Aharon ben Ab-Chisda ben Yaacob
Encyclopedia
Aharon ben Ab-Chisda ben Yaacob , also transliterated Aaron b. Abhisda b. Jacob, is the current Samaritan High Priest
(cohen godal). He inherited the office upon the death of Elazar ben Tsedaka ben Yitzhaq
as the eldest priest of the family of priests. He is considered by Samaritans to be a direct descendant of Aaron
and the 132nd High Priest to hold the office since the time of Moses
.
Ab-Chisda and other priests, regulate daily life in a number of ways. They ensure the strict rules of religious observance are preserved. This includes traditions such as the full keeping of Sabbath
and other Levitical laws. They also serve as arbitrators and judges, as well as set the calendar. This is called Ishban Kashta, which translates from Arabic as "truth calculation".
One of High Priest Aharon ben Ab-Chisda's main duties is to preside over the Passah (Passover
) ritual. He did so for the first time in 2010 at the age of 83. The Samaritan community more than doubled during the 20th century, but is still very small. Less than 750 of the faithful, the total community, attended the rite. During the performance of the Passover ritual, Ab-Chisda wore a green silken robe. It was secured with a broad cloth, carefully tied. He wore a tallit
, draped over his head. This attire is connected with a long tradition that the Samaritans trace back to Biblical times.
Before attaining the office of high priest, he was a deputy high priest and well-known as a singer in the small Samaritan community. He is married with four sons, two daughters, and six grandsons.
Samaritan High Priest
The Samaritan High Priest is the high priest of the Samaritan community in the Middle East.According to Samaritan tradition, the office has existed continuously since Aaron, the brother of Moses, and has been held by 132 people...
(cohen godal). He inherited the office upon the death of Elazar ben Tsedaka ben Yitzhaq
Elazar ben Tsedaka ben Yitzhaq
Elazar ben Tsedaka ben Yitzhaq was the Samaritan High Priest from 2004 until his death. He was born in Nablus....
as the eldest priest of the family of priests. He is considered by Samaritans to be a direct descendant of Aaron
Aaron
In the Hebrew Bible and the Qur'an, Aaron : Ααρών ), who is often called "'Aaron the Priest"' and once Aaron the Levite , was the older brother of Moses, and a prophet of God. He represented the priestly functions of his tribe, becoming the first High Priest of the Israelites...
and the 132nd High Priest to hold the office since the time of Moses
Moses
Moses was, according to the Hebrew Bible and Qur'an, a religious leader, lawgiver and prophet, to whom the authorship of the Torah is traditionally attributed...
.
Ab-Chisda and other priests, regulate daily life in a number of ways. They ensure the strict rules of religious observance are preserved. This includes traditions such as the full keeping of Sabbath
Sabbath
Sabbath in Christianity is a weekly day of rest or religious observance, derived from the Biblical Sabbath.Seventh-day Sabbath observance, i.e. resting from labor from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset, is practiced by seventh-day Sabbatarians...
and other Levitical laws. They also serve as arbitrators and judges, as well as set the calendar. This is called Ishban Kashta, which translates from Arabic as "truth calculation".
One of High Priest Aharon ben Ab-Chisda's main duties is to preside over the Passah (Passover
Passover
Passover is a Jewish holiday and festival. It commemorates the story of the Exodus, in which the ancient Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt...
) ritual. He did so for the first time in 2010 at the age of 83. The Samaritan community more than doubled during the 20th century, but is still very small. Less than 750 of the faithful, the total community, attended the rite. During the performance of the Passover ritual, Ab-Chisda wore a green silken robe. It was secured with a broad cloth, carefully tied. He wore a tallit
Tallit
A tallit pl. tallitot is a Jewish prayer shawl. The tallit is worn over the outer clothes during the morning prayers on weekdays, Shabbat and holidays...
, draped over his head. This attire is connected with a long tradition that the Samaritans trace back to Biblical times.
Before attaining the office of high priest, he was a deputy high priest and well-known as a singer in the small Samaritan community. He is married with four sons, two daughters, and six grandsons.