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THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 



THE SAMARITANS ASSEMBLED UPON THE SACRED ROCK 



A few of the devout members of the congregation do not dare advance to the rock itself 

 because of certain scruples regarding their ablutions. These individuals may be descried 

 in the background kneeling like their brothers on the rock, their faces turned toward the 

 hoi}' spot. 



sinew which shrank, which is upon the 

 hollow of the thigh, unto this day" (Gen. 

 32:24-32). 



Deep gashes are made in the fleshy parts 

 in order that the salt may penetrate, 

 while the right shoulder is cut off to be 

 roasted on a separate spit, being a priestly 

 portion. Pieces of the head are also re- 

 served for the priests. Only the males 

 of the priestly family and women of the 

 same blood, if unmarried into other fam- 

 ilies, may partake of them. "And this 

 shall be the priest's due from the people, 

 from them that offer a sacrifice, whether 

 it be ox or sheep ; and they shall give 

 unto the priests the shoulder and the two 

 cheeks." 



Xow an oaken spit, the length being 

 slightly greater than the depth of the 

 ground oven, is thrust through each 

 dressed lamb lengthwise, the head hang- 

 ing downward. To prevent the meat slip- 

 ping off, a wooden pin is driven through 

 the spit three or four spans above the 

 lower end, and on it rests a cross-board. 



As the preparation of each lamb is 

 completed, much salt is rubbed into the 

 flesh. "And every oblation of thy meat 

 offering shalt thou season with salt, nei- 

 ther shalt thou suffer the salt of the cove- 

 nant of thy God to be lacking from thy 

 meat offering: and with all thy offerings 

 thou shalt offer salt" (Lev. 2: 13). 



THE BURNT OFFERING 



This mandate is also closely observed 

 in the matter of the burnt offering, for 

 the viscera as collected are emptied of 

 undigested food and then thoroughly 

 salted, and, with the fat from the inwards 

 and the kidneys are placed upon cloven 

 pieces of wood laid across one end of the 

 ditch-altar, and the fuel under it now is 

 ignited from the fire beneath the cal- 

 drons. The burning goes on slowly till 

 the early morning hours. 



But long before these preparations have 

 been completed the readings have come 

 to an end, while all those at work and the 

 onlookers shout incessantly, "We call and 



