The articles in this volume originated from lectures given in two meetings devoted to the Samaritans. The first was the sixth conference of the SociA(c)tA(c) da (TM)Etudes Samaritaines, which took place at the University of Haifa in July 2004. The second meeting was part of the SBL International Conference in Vienna, July 2007.The volume reflects the current state of research on the Samaritans. It presents a wide spectrum of approaches, including historical questions, the political, religious and social context of the Samaritans in the past and present, linguistic approaches, the role of the Samaritans in the Talmudic literature, and questions of identity of the Samaritans up to now, to name just a few.

This collection of 21 articles and a panel discussion reviews and analyses the history and implications of the dualistic paradigm that has characterised Judaism throughout the ages: pluralism and sectarianism, religiosity and secularity, universalism and separatism, reform and uniformity. Particular attention is paid to the history and effects of different religious groups, movements and political trends.