Editing Samaritans (section)

=== Community survival ===
{{see also|Cousin marriage in the Middle East}}

One of the biggest problems facing the community today is the issue of continuity. With such a small population, divided into only four families or houses (Cohen, Tsedakah, Danafi, and Marhiv, with the Matar family dying out in 1968),{{sfn|Tsedaka|2018}}{{efn|A process of [[Segmentary lineage|segmentation]] has slightly multiplied this number {{harv|Schreiber|2014|pp=164–167}}.}} and a general refusal to accept converts, it is common for Samaritans to marry within their extended families, even first cousins. There has been a history of [[genetic disorder]]s within the group due to the small [[gene pool]]. To counter this, the Holon Samaritan community has allowed men from the community to marry non-Samaritan (primarily Israeli Jewish) women, provided that the women agree to follow Samaritan religious practices. There is a six-month trial period before officially joining the Samaritan community to see whether this is a commitment that the woman would like to take. This often poses a problem for the women, who are typically less than eager to adopt the strict interpretation of biblical (Levitical) laws regarding [[menstrual cycle|menstruation]], by which they must live in a separate dwelling during their periods and after [[childbirth]]. There have been a few instances of [[interfaith marriage|intermarriage]]. In addition, all marriages within the Samaritan community are first approved by a [[geneticist]] at [[Sheba Medical Center|Tel HaShomer Hospital]], in order to prevent the spread of genetic disorders. In meetings arranged by "[[mail-order bride|international marriage agencies]]",{{sfn|Patience|2007}} a small number of women from [[Russia]] and [[Ukraine]] who agree to observe Samaritan religious practices have been allowed to marry into the Qiryat Luza Samaritan community in an effort to expand the gene pool.{{sfn|Ferguson|2013}}{{sfn|Nammari|2013}} [[Polygamy]] is reported to have been practiced among Samaritans up until sometime in the 19th century. Today it is practically unheard of, due to the low availability of women and, among those Samaritans living within Israeli territory, it being illegal.{{sfn|Schreiber|2014}}<ref>{{Cite book |last=Thomson |first=J.E.H. |title=The Samaritans: Their Testimony to the Religion of Israel |page=138 |year=1919 |publisher=Oliver and Boyd}}</ref>{{sfn|Crown|1989|p=660}}

The Samaritan community in Israel also faces demographic challenges as some young people leave the community and convert to Judaism. A notable example is Israeli television presenter [[Sofi Tsedaka]], who has made a documentary about her leaving the community at age 18.{{sfn|Steinberg|2017}}

The head of the community is the Samaritan High Priest, who is the 133rd generation since Ithamar, a son of Aaron the priest's line from 1624&nbsp;CE onward; before then, the line of priesthood went through Elazar, son of Aaron the priest.{{sfn|The Samaritans High Priests}} The current high priest is [[Aabed-El ben Asher ben Matzliach]] who assumed the office on 19 April 2013. The High Priest of every generation is selected by the eldest in age from the priestly family and resides on Mount Gerizim.<ref>Leviticus 21:10</ref>