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Another Samaritan High Priest Bites the Dust
Seems like there is a revolving door at the top of the Samaritan religion and with only 700 living souls everyone might end up getting a chance being high priest if this continues. From Benyamim Tsedaka:
Quote:
 The High Priest Aaron ben Ab-Hisda ben Jacob ben Aaron (1927 – 2013) is no more.
[ Final version ]
Written by: Benyamim Tsedaka
Childhood and youth
A short while ago the High Priest Aaron ben Ab-Hisda ben Jacob returned his spirit to the Creator, when he passed away following heart failure while seated in his home on Mount Gerizim. He was aged 86. May G-d have mercy.
High Priest Aaron was born in Nablus in February 5, 1927, and was educated by his father High Priest Ab-Hisda son of the High Priest Jacob, wise and held in great esteem among the Israelite Samaritans. He was an author and poet. As a child Aaron learnt the traditional poems, chants and prayers from him, and soon stood out as an exceptional singer and great reader of the Torah. He had great knowledge of the prayers of the community.
To earn a living he was employed as a nurse at the National (Al-Watani) Hospital in Nablus, where he worked for forty-five years. He was considered loyal and expert in helping patients, and in more specific diagnosis of their illnesses.
At the same time he devoted many years to instructing young Israelite Samaritan children in the Torah and prayers. Choral singers were shocked to hear of his sudden passing. Like his brother High Priest Joseph who died in 1998, High Priest Aaron suffered sudden heart failure, which left members of the community pained and wordless.
High service to the his Community
High Priest Aaron continued to serve his community until his very last day by giving good advice to thousands of people who approached him from outside the community. The community returned his affection as he was consistently agreeable to all, and always endeavoured to make peace between members of his own community.
High Priest Aaron was revered throughout his life. He was a member of the Community Committee in Nablus between 1979 and 1983, and took up the High Priesthood in 2010 after High Priest Elazar b. Tsedaka passed away. High Priest Aaron fulfilled his role faithfully. He stood before his community in the service of the Almighty in the synagogue, conducting the ceremonial milestones in community life: the ritual circumcision, Torah Reading conclusions, engagements, weddings and mourning days. For the last three years he directed the Passover sacrifice ceremony; his beautiful voice rang strong and clear right up until his last day.
Respected by Prime Ministers
At official meetings with senior public figures in Israel, and in areas under the Palestinian Authority, he represented the Israelite Samaritan Community proudly and honourably. Only last Thursday, April 18, he returned from a farewell meeting with the Palestinian Prime Minister, Dr. Salam Fayyed, where he gave him a symbolic Key to Mount Gerizim in a decorative frame, three years after he presented him with the First Israelite Samaritan Medal for Peace. Recently High Priest Aaron visited Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s home to console him on the death of his father Ben Zion. At these three meetings the Prime Ministers received the High Priest Aaron respectfully. The Community Committee in Mount Gerizim notes that High Priest Aaron’s presence and calm demeanor resulted in improved relations and more successful progress in community matters. He bore himself nobly at the head of joint missions of the community in Mount Gerizim and in Holon, and brought great honour to the Israelite Samaritans with his words of peace and reconciliation.
A world quality singer
Of special value to the Community were his prayers and festive songs. His voice was wonderful; he was among the world’s finest singers. He had a resonant voice, strong and clear, drawing on a powerful tradition of rich and tonally accurate singing. He was a beacon for many who aspired to emulate his precision in song and his breadth of knowledge of Samaritan chants. While he preserved his quiet ways and modesty, his welcoming countenance lit the way for all ages in the community. He received each visitor to his home with a shining smile, and heart-penetrating conversation. He insisted on accompanying every guest to the threshold of his home when leaving, showering them with blessings for success on their journey and in all they do. On his departure he leaves more than 750 members of the community with damp eyes, saddened by his passing.
Most beloved personality
He made sure to visit each member of the community in Mount Gerizim and Holon if they were hospitalized, at least once. He would lay his soft, gentle hand on the sufferer’s forehead, and wish them a speedy recovery. Nobody in the community will ever forget him for this. He leaves behind him many who will remember fondly the pleasure of being in his presence.
High Priest Aaron distinguished himself by ensuring the continuity of his family line. He professed great love for his wife Leah, and together they raised five sons (one of whom tragically drowned in a well at the family home on Mount Gerizim about forty years ago), and two daughters. His grandson, son of his son Amram, was named after him, and brought him great satisfaction during his last few years.
The Community is holding the hand of his widow Leah, and the hands of the sons and daughters of the family. May the Almighty have mercy on his spirit on his burial last Friday, April 19, 2013 at the cemetery on Mount Gerizim, accompanied by all the members of the community, dignitaries from Nablus, many Nablus residents, and senior Israeli and Palestinian officials and military and police officers. Over the next seven days of mourning after he was buried many will flock to his house from all over the country and the world to pay their respects.
With the Mercy of the Almighty may his spirit grace the Garden of Eden forever. With ever-increasing grace, nothing is greater than the Almighty in His Grateness.
The Community mourns
The passing of the High Priest Aaron ben Ab-Hisda has been especially difficult for all Israelite Samaritans, because this week, on Tuesday 23rd April between the sunsets they are about to present the Passover Sacrifice on Mount Gerizim. Everyone expected that, as during the last three years, High Priest Aaron would open the ceremony in his pleasant, comforting strong voice, wishing peace to members of his community and the entire world, before starting the reading of the Exodus, Chap. 12 passage. Even though it is forbidden to mourn on a Festival or Sabbath, no one will see happy Samaritan faces on the coming Day of Sacrifice. The Ceremony will be opened by the new High Priest.
The new High Priest Aabed-El b. High Priest Asher
Afterwards, at the end of the seven days of mourning, the deputy High Priest Aabed-El b. High Priest Asher, son of the High Priest Matzliach, aged 78, will be appointed to the High Priesthood. Mild-mannered and pious, and a successful businessman, may the Almighty extend his days.
The Israelite Samaritan High Priest is chosen by the Almighty based on the Torah principle: “The Eldest Priest of His Brothers” [Book of Leviticus].
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04-21-2013, 09:29 PM
